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From the Coaches & Players | Eastside Golf Collegiate Invitational

From the Coaches & Players | Eastside Golf Collegiate Invitational

The inaugural Eastside Golf Collegiate Invitational presented by State Farm represents a powerful step towards amplifying HBCU golf programs. Held from November 2-4 at the renowned Omni PGA Frisco (Texas) Resort, this invite-only tournament offers eight participating HBCUs a first-class experience on a world-class course.

Eastside Golf co-founders Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, both HBCU alumni from Morehouse College, have consistently supported HBCU programs. Now, with the Collegiate Invitational, Eastside seeks to highlight the immense talent within these programs and provide them with a platform typically reserved for larger collegiate tournaments. Teams will compete for the prestigious Eastside Golf Red Jacket, a new symbol of achievement in the collegiate golf community.

Competing Teams

Men's Division
Florida A&M University
Morehouse College
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical
Southern University

Women's Division
Alabama State
Delaware State
Howard University
Prairie View A&M University

We reached out to a few coaches of the participating teams to learn what it means to them to take part in this inaugural event and how they feel Eastside Golf's impact resonates with the growth of the sport. Their reflections underscore the importance of this milestone event for the future of HBCU golf.

What does it mean for your team to participate in this inaugural event? 

Edgar Evans, Morehouse College
“For this invitational to be hosted by two alumni of our golf program is pretty special, and it's an honor to participate. We're really excited to show up and show out to further what they did while they were on the golf team here.”

Mesha Levister, Prairie View A&M
“To be selected to play in the Eastside Golf Collegiate Invitational is an honor and a distinct privilege. It’s super dope. This tournament gives these golfers an experience that many of us former HBCU players could have never imagined. It puts a spotlight on our programs and can start the process of diversifying the game in a cool way.”

Quincy Heard, PGA, Alabama State University
“Our team works really hard to improve each day, and it's great to be recognized for those efforts. And this opportunity that they will have is something that will provide them with an experience for a lifetime. We do try to prepare our young people in the four years to set them up for the next 40 years of their lives; and this type of event will definitely have some influence on the next 40.”

Bobby Pope, Southern University
“This is a great platform to showcase talented athletes within the country’s top HBCU golf programs.”

“We embrace this opportunity because it helps to promote equity in a sport that has traditionally lacked diversity. HBCU golf programs typically operate with limited resources compared to larger schools, which actually makes their achievements even more significant. Having the opportunity to compete on a major platform at PGA Frisco helps students and the participating universities, all while changing the narrative.”

Do you think Eastside Golf's growth has paralleled the growth of golf to different communities and broader audiences? 

Quincy Heard, PGA, Alabama State University
“The accelerated growth of Eastside Golf is tremendous. Upon sharing this opportunity with my wife, she looked them up online. She's like, ‘They've only been in business for five years? Wow.’ 

“To be in this position is pretty outstanding. And knowing the founder and the co-founder as I do, to see their growth, I'm very proud of the work that they've done and what they want to do with their brand. It goes beyond bringing golf to new communities, it’s about changing how you look when you play golf and creating acceptance for new styles.”

Edgar Evans, Morehouse College
“It's because of their drive, their determination and their love for the game that they're now able to give other people opportunities they never had when they were playing. It's a truly beautiful thing to see the expansion of what they're doing and what they're doing for golf as a whole.”

Mesha Levister, Prairie View A&M
“The growth of Eastside Golf has put a spotlight on the fact that you can do anything you put your mind to and effect positive change, no matter if you go to a PWI or an HBCU. What the brand’s founders have done is appeal to an audience that may not have thought golf was cool before.”

Phil Smith, Southern University
“Eastside Golf is breaking barriers and enhancing the visibility of golf within minority communities.”

Stories From the Players

Scroll through the Instagram posts below to read just a few of the inspiring stories of players competing in the Eastside Golf Collegiate Invitational presented by State Farm.

 

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