Hampton Roads Golf Guide

BENTON HARBOR, Michigan – The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores is more than simply a showcase for some of the game’s most accomplished golfers. Championship week also displays the many different industries that work in and around the game. Just before the tournament started, a group of local high school students attended PGA WORKS Beyond the Green, a career-exploration event.

On Wednesday, nearly 80 students from local schools and programs—including the Michigan Hospitality Foundation, Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan, the Benton Harbor Area Schools culinary program and the Boys & Girls Club—were given an exclusive opportunity aimed to educate and inspire people from historically underrepresented backgrounds about careers surrounding the $102 billion golf industry.

After a message from PGA of America President John Lindert, the day included tours of the Whirlpool Innovation Center and the Corewell Health Center for Wellness, as well as panel discussion led by hosts Doug Smith and Will Lowry on what it means to live a “Bold Life.” Students also had the opportunity to get hands-on experience with VR gaming, golf and, of course, cooking.

“Golf is not just about hitting a golf ball around a course, there are so many other roles and opportunities to be involved in,” Lindert, the PGA Director of Golf at the Country Club of Lansing, told the students. “Find something you’re truly passionate about and then find a mentor, someone who will guide you to opportunities. Hopefully today will open your eyes a little bit as to what the golf industry has to offer. But it’s really about looking yourself in the mirror and saying, ‘what do I love to do?’”

Students also heard from three-time Emmy-winning news reporter and 16 News Now Anchor Joshua Short; Realm Restaurant Group Executive Chef and Co-Owner Chris Covelli; PGA of America Director of Volunteers Rachel Wright; and Whirlpool Corporation Community Relations and Foundation Giving Leader Stefanie Harvey-Vandenberg.

“Be true to who you are,” Short advised. “I tried so hard to figure out who I can be like and what I can do to look like others I saw. Then I realized the most successful people are people who are just themselves. They have a talent, and they use that talent to continue to grow themselves, their brand and those around them. As soon as I did that, things for me started to change personally and professionally.”

The day introduced students to careers in the culinary, hospitality, medical, engineering and tech industries. They even had the opportunity to learn how to make pasta with their own hands.

“I learned a lot from the panels and the different places we toured today,” said Benton Harbor High School senior Jaidon Lacy. “I definitely see myself working in golf. Right now I’m playing golf in high school and my plan is to hopefully play in college and get into sports management.”

PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative, designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. Funded by PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, career-exploration events and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from diverse backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry.

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, golf’s most historic and prestigious senior Major Championship, will be contested May 23-26 and broadcast on Golf Channel and NBC. The action can also be taken in through srpgachampionship.com and by following @seniorpgachamp on Facebook, Instagram and X.

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William Hill Wine Lounge to feature numerous offerings at PGA Championships

FRISCO, Texas ー The PGA of America and William Hill Estate Winery today announced a multi-year partnership appointing William Hill the “Official Wine” and official supplier for both the PGA of America and the PGA Championship through 2026.

Hospitality areas throughout Valhalla Golf Club, site of the 106th PGA Championship, May 13-19, will offer numerous selections from William Hill’s wine offerings. Additionally, spectators can enjoy William Hill’s Estate California Chardonnay at general concession pouring bars.

“We are excited to partner with William Hill Estate Winery and bring their world-renowned wine selections to the PGA Championship,” said PGA of America Senior Director, Global Partnerships Luke Reissman. “The combination of William Hill’s diverse wine selection with Major Championship golf is the perfect pairing, while the William Hill Wine Lounge will undoubtedly be a popular destination for the countless wine consumers who love golf.”

The William Hill Wine Lounge, a branded pouring bar located in PGA Plaza along the fairway of the par-5 10th hole at Valhalla, is the perfect spot for spectators looking to enjoy a refreshing glass of wine without missing any of the golf.

Spectators can order from William Hill’s well-crafted portfolio of wines while relaxing in the lounge area and viewing all of the action taking place inside the ropes. William Hill’s California Chardonnay, California Cabernet Sauvignon and California Sauvignon Blanc will be available.

To further extend the partnership to those who may not be able to make it to Valhalla for this year’s PGA Championship, William Hill is sharing an experience of a lifetime for a lucky fan and a guest to win two tickets and travel to the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Fans can visit www.williamhillestate.com/pga for more information and details how to enter.

“The partnership between William Hill Estate Winery and the PGA of America, including the esteemed PGA Championship, is a perfect match,” said GALLO Vice President of Brand Management, Beth Orozco. “William Hill has a long history in golf and is deeply cherished by our consumers, many of whom are avid golfers and enthusiasts of professional sports. As the sport continues to flourish, we’re excited to link our legacy with an organization known for its distinguished history and one of golf’s most prestigious events.”

For nearly 50 years, William Hill Estate Winery has crafted rich and expressive Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietal wines from select vineyards in Napa Valley and the California coast. The collection of wines is rooted in the character of the unique, rolling hills of the 200-acre estate in the heart of the Silverado Bench in Napa Valley.

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida — The PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship, presented by Chase, Kohler and ADT, is considered the most culturally significant championship in collegiate golf, and PGA of America Golf Professional Scooter Clark has seen every side of the event’s evolution.

This year, he returns to the PWCC as the North Carolina A&T Men’s and Women’s head golf coach. But Clark’s history with the championship began as a Junior WORKS competitor in 1986, its first year.

What transpired between then and now, the 37th playing of the PWCC, includes being struck by lightning, finding a mentor in Fred Funk, winning 10 PWCC titles at Bethune-Cookman, being named the tournament director, returning as North Carolina A&T head coach and impacting countless lives along the way.

Formerly known as the National Minority College Championship, the event was founded in November 1986. The goal was to elevate the game at minority colleges and universities by providing student-athletes with the opportunity to compete on a championship stage during an era when they were excluded from playing in many collegiate golf events.

Clark’s journey in golf took off in the early ‘80s as a teenager at University of Maryland Golf Course, where his father would drop him off around 6 a.m. and pick him up around 6 p.m. during the summer.

Clark quickly became part of the family at the golf course, picking up life-time mentors in PGA of America Golf Professional Ronnie Scales and eight-time PGA TOUR winner Fred Funk, who was the assistant professional and head coach of the university’s golf team.

Clark learned the game, started playing in junior events and was given his first job in the golf industry at the course. As he got older, Clark learned the ins-and-outs of not only competing, but how to create a meaningful career in the industry, leading to a lifelong impact as a PGA of America Golf Professional.

“I got to sit down and talk with PGA Members and understand the business and all the opportunities that exist,” Clark said. “How to act, how to be professional and how to start a career in the industry.”

From the many mentors in Clark’s life, one was truly lifesaving.

At the age of 17, Clark was struck by lightning. Funk saw it happen through the pro shop window and immediately called an ambulance. Fortunately, the Maryland team physician was finishing on the 18th hole at the same time.

“Between the two of them, they administered CPR and got me somewhat stable to carry me to the golf shop,” Clark said.

Clark was in a coma for 36 hours and his parents were informed he’d have severe physical complications for the rest of his life.

Miraculously, six months later, Clark won his high school state championship—at the same course.

Clark would go on to play college golf, first for Southern University and then for the University of Maryland, competing in the PWCC for both schools. His results in each appearance may not have been memorable, but the championship became a mainstay for the rest of his career.

Clark started the process of becoming a PGA of America Golf Professional in 1996. While working at the University of Maryland Golf Course, Funk, playing on the PGA TOUR at the time, encouraged him to apply for an assistant professional opening at TPC Sawgrass, the location of this week’s PWCC.

From Sawgrass, Clark’s career began to snowball into more opportunities. He was lead to the Acushnet Company then the PGA TOUR, Kemper Sports and then accepted the role of Director of Golf at Bethune-Cookman University in 2010.

For the next six years, he led the men’s and women’s teams to a combined 10 PWCC titles.

In 2018, Clark became the PWCC tournament manager for the PGA of America and then the director of the championship in 2020.

“We are in year 37 of this championship,” Clark said. “Somehow, someway I’ve been a part of this championship for pretty much all of those years, whether it’s been playing in the first three, coming back shortly after to be onsite with Titliest, coming back as a coach, operating the event and now back to coaching again.”

Clark knew from a young age that golf would “be my life’s work.” This week, his legacy at the PWCC continues, back as a coach, a role he uses to make a difference for the student-athletes he leads, just as his mentors did for him.

“I’m able to look right now at the 12 individuals I coach and see the impact, feel their emotions every day,” Clark said. “I’m able to steer people to the same opportunities. I would say this current role fulfills a different part of me.”

In 2024, the mission of the PWCC remains the same, thanks in part to individuals like Scooter Clark, PGA.

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