CONGRATULATIONS TO

Willie Mack III

The winner of THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Invitational Men’s field. Willie receives an exemption into the PGA TOUR's 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Georgia Oboh

The winner of THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Invitational Women’s field. Georgia receives an exemption into the 2024 Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and the Dow Championship.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Ashley Shaw

the winner of THE JOHN SHIPPEN Cognizant Cup. She receives an exemption the 2024 LPGA’s Tour Cognizant Founders Cup.

THE JOHN SHIPPEN was established by Intersport to identify historical barriers to and expand upon Black representation in the sport of golf and create awareness, access and opportunities for persons of color in the business of sports.

The event is named after John Shippen, Jr., who was the first American-born golf professional and also the country's first Black golf professional. Shippen was bestowed PGA of America membership posthumously in 2009.

$84B

Dollar Industry

1%

of PGA of America Club
Professionals are Black

1

Black Current LPGA Tour Player

4

Black Current PGA TOUR Players

THE JOHN SHIPPEN is a vehicle to provide opportunities that can fundamentally increase diversity in golf on a national scale. The sport of golf is an $84 billion industry with more than two million golf-related jobs. However, less than one percent of PGA of America club professionals are Black, and only four current PGA Tour players are Black. However, less than one percent of PGA of America club professionals are Black. Currently, only four PGA TOUR and only one LPGA Tour players are Black

These statistics do not reflect a lack of talented Black golfers, but rather, they reflect limited access and resources. Historical barriers for Black golfers include: affordable and consistent access to championship courses, quality golf equipment, top-rated swing coaches, sponsorship and access to funding for housing and travel.

- Format: 18 hole stroke play competition
- Winner receives an exemption into the LPGA Tour’s 2024 Cognizant Founders Cup
- Venue: Upper Montclair Country Club
  www.uppermontclaircountryclub.com
- Location: Clifton, NJ
- Practice Round – May 5
- Competition Round – May 6
- Format: 36 hole stroke play competition
- Winner receives an exemption into the LPGA Tour’s 2024 Meijer LPGA Classic & the Dow Championship
- Venue: Blythefield Country Club
  www.blythefieldcc.org
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI
- Practice Round – June 3
- First & Final Rounds – June 4 – 5
- Format: 36 hole stroke play competition
- Winner receives an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classicwww.rocketmortgageclassic.com
- Venue: Detroit Golf Club
  www.detroitgolfclub.org
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Practice Round – June 21
- First & Final Rounds – June 22 - 23

THE JOHN SHIPPEN Sports Business Summit creates awareness of opportunities within the sports industry for high school and college students of color. Attendees will have the opportunity to apply for paid internships and scholarships from event supporters at this FREE event.

Learn more