Frisco, Texas, United States: The PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, and Kohler Co have announced a transformative partnership supporting PGA WORKS and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC).
Kohler has committed to a six-year partnership with the PWCC and PGA WORKS, a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce, and Beyond the Green, a career-exploration event conducted annually at the PWCC.
Kohler will also host the PWCC in 2025 and 2029 on the Straits and Irish golf courses at Whistling Straits, and be the presenting sponsor of the PWCC and Beyond the Green through 2029.
Additionally, Kohler will provide a grant to the PGA WORKS’ HBCU Golf Scholarship endowment in both 2025 and 2029 when hosting the PWCC at Whistling Straits.
The endowment supports under-funded and under-represented golf programmes at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) across the country.
“We are incredibly excited to partner with Kohler in its major commitment to PGA WORKS and the PWCC,” said John Lindert, President of the PGA of America, an Execuitve Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
“The PWCC is well established as one of the most influential events in golf, and Kohler’s generous support of this Championship and PGA WORKS, including providing a world-class venue in Whistling Straits, will make a significant impact,” added Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at The Country Club of Lansing.
The PWCC annually features a highly-competitive, five-division field consisting of teams and individuals representing HBCUs, HSIs and other minority-serving institutions. In addition to the 54-hole stroke play event, the PWCC provides valuable experiences for participants to learn about the countless career opportunities in the US$102 billion golf industry.
“We are committed to providing opportunities for all who want to become more in the sport of golf, their chosen professions, and personal lives,” said David Kohler, Chair and CEO of Kohler Co.
“We recognise that transitioning from college to the workforce is a significant step in one’s life. Together with PWCC, PGA WORKS and Beyond the Green, Kohler Co is steadfast in our approach to provide students with guidance and resources to help them on their journeys with confidence and setting them up for success,” added Kohler.
Sitting along two miles of scenic Lake Michigan shoreline in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Whistling Straits is home to the iconic Straits and Irish courses designed by legendary course architects Pete and Alice Dye.
The Straits Course at Whistling Straits hosted the 43rd Ryder Cup in 2021 as well as the PGA Championship in 2015, 2010 and 2004.
In addition to Whistling Straits, the Kohler golf portfolio features the River and Meadow Valleys golf courses at Blackwolf Run, as well as the 10-hole, par-three Baths of Blackwolf Run.