It’s no secret that NBA superstar Stephen Curry is an avid golf player and supporter of HBCUs.
The Golden State Warriors star was recently profiled by Golf Digest for a story taking a deep dive into his deep love for the game of golf, and providing access and exposure for young black golfers. That includes his Eat. Learn. Play Foundation as well as his Underrated Golf Tour.
The tour has four tournaments across the United States (and is adding a European wing) for 48 boys and 48 girls ages 12 to 18, plus a season finale with a reduced field. It has partnerships with United Airways and Subway to help ease some of the costs associated with the tour.
Wendell Haskins, who recruited the NBA star to be an ambassador a few years ago, is a fan of the tour’s self-sustaining economics. Curry started the company with a nearly $2 million check a few years ago.
“These endeavors can’t just be based on charity. [Curry] is building brand affinity and future customers while doing something good. As to how many people of color ultimately become participants in the golf economy and can be traced to Underrated, that data will take years to materialize,” Haskins told Golf Digest.
Will Lowery, a friend of Puryear, serves as recruiting coordinator for the tour.
“Exposing a kid to golf is one thing, but it takes so much else to align for that kid to commit to the struggle to develop,” Lowery says. “Ideally, our tour removes at least the financial burden.”
That’s exactly what Stephen Curry did when he helped Howard re-launch its golf program prior to the start of the pandemic. That’s something Haskins would like to see others replicate.
“Imagine if you had a dozen other athletes or entertainers doing at HBCUs what Stephen did at Howard?” he said.
Speaking of Howard University – golf coach Sam Puryear had high praise for what Steph Curry is doing with the Underrated Golf Tour as his NBA career continues.
“This tour gives kids a chance to compete with no excuses plus second chances to learn to play under pressure, whereas the American Junior Golf Association [AJGA] is more one and done. It’s the difference between great intentions and great execution. Instead of just writing a check, Stephen shows up and gets to know these kids, and when you understand that one of the best athletes on the planet is behind you, you start to believe.”