This year, four HBCU student essay contest winners played in the Wells Fargo Championship Pro-Am with defending champion Rory McIlroy, as part of Wells Fargo’s inaugural First Tee Future Entrepreneurs program. To enter the contest, students submitted an essay on their future, entrepreneurship, and aspirations in golf and in life.
“It was a wonderful Pro-Am. It’s great, there are a lot of Wednesday’s in Pro-Am’s that aren’t as fun as something like today. To be able to spend time with these guys and see what great golfers they are but also the great people that they are as well. I was sent all their CVs and bios last night and just the list of things they’ve done and accomplished at a young age – it was really, really impressive. It was really nice to spend some time with them this morning,” McIlroy said.
The student essay winners were:
• Jakari Harris, Hampton University, Class of 2022, from Atlanta
• Lennard Long, Morehouse College, Class of 2019, from Washinton, D.C.
• Elijah Royal, Fisk University, Class of 2021, from Merrillville, Indiana
• Joia Robertson, Fisk University, Class of 2025, from Hermitage, Tennessee
Lennard Long
“It was amazing – super friendly, super just helpful. Asked him some tips for chipping and he was willing to give them to me so I can take them back and give them to our kids when I coach them, so they’re really appreciative of it.”
Jakari Harris
“Yeah I would just reiterate that it was unreal. You know you see these pro’s on TV and then you get a chance to see them in-person, let alone play with them. It was an amazing experience for sure.”
Pam Batalis, Wells Fargo SVP of Sponsorships & Brand Engagement, noted, “Through our long-standing relationship with First Tee, we are proud to create new opportunities for young, diverse golfers throughout The Wells Fargo Championship. From the youth golf clinic at the historic Langston Golf Course, to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for four HBCU students and alumni to play in the Pro-Am with Rory McIlroy, Wells Fargo is creating access to unique experiences in golf as part of its history of support of HBCUs.”
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