AKRON (Ohio) — While Stephen Curry attempted to recreate the “Shot in the Dark,” made famous by Tiger Woods at the NEC Invitational in the year 2000, more than 100 junior golfers surrounded the NBA star Saturday to give him advice and motivation.
Curry studied the video taken by a spectator of his swing after his fourth shot on the 18th at Firestone Country Club South Course.
Two more shots next to the plaque that commemorated Woods’s iconic moment worked. Curry, widely regarded as the greatest basketball shooter of all time, had made the green. Curry’s successful shot was met with loud cheers and fist-bumps. Curry explained that he had wanted to take the shot since he saw it in a movie as a child.
Curry’s birthplace in Akron, Ohio was the scene of a rallying by the players on the Underrated Golf Tour. It was a fitting moment because the Golden State Warriors player has been uplifting them since last year.
Curry told the Akron Beacon Journal of the USA TODAY Network that “it was the best – memories we were all creating – and hopefully, it’s only the beginning of many great things.”
Curry was forced to take action by the lack of diversity in golf. Curry, a four-time NBA champ and two-time MVP, launched Underrated Golf in 2022 with the mission of increasing the number competitive golfers who come from diverse communities.
Curry Receives Ambassador of Golf Award
Curry was named 2023 Ambassador of Golf Award winner for his advocacy on the golf tour and guarantee that he gave in 2019 to fund Howard University’s men’s and woman’s golf programs at full funding levels for the next six years. In a video played at a Firestone Country Club dinner reception on Saturday night, Condoleezza rice, the winner of last year’s award, congratulated Curry.
Curry described the award as “very surreal,” and added that it gives him “more inspiration to continue doing what I am doing.” Curry was named the NBA Kareem Abd-Jabbar Champion for Social Justice in May.
According to Underrated Golf, less than 2 percent (or 2%) of golfers are Blacks or Latinos. The 156 players at the U.S. Open last month included no Black players.
Curry stated that “we’re just another piece in the puzzle” that is trying to solve problems like those you witnessed at the U.S. Open. Curry said, “You know it is a lot of work to build that pipeline. No matter how long it may take, I believe we are all committed to it.”
Will Lowery was introduced to Curry by a mutual friend about a decade ago, at Raintree Country Club near Charlotte, North Carolina. Curry was born in Akron City Hospital on March 14, 1998. His father, Dell, had played for the Cavaliers during one season (1987-1988).
Curry described his return to Akron as having a “cool subplot”.
Lowery and Curry discussed at Curry’s kitchen table how Curry could use his platform in 2019 to change the golf landscape. Lowery, a media personality and professional golfer for two years before becoming an Underrated Golf Ambassador.
Lowery stated that when she looked at the numbers of Black and Brown [players] in the sport of golf, it was then that she realized that “Steph you could be the one to start shifting that narrative.”
To get to a point where we feel diversity, it will probably take a person such as Stephen and activities like this.
Quincy Leonard, 18 years old, met Curry in 2014 while competing for Underrated Golf’s Curry Cup. Leonard’s friends in Montgomery, Alabama wanted to know about the meeting when he returned home.
Leonard said that “when they see Steph playing golf, it makes more people want play golf.” He credits Underrated Golf for helping him get a scholarship at Florida A&M University to play the game.
Curry explained that “the work that he is doing with his [I Promise] school and the legacy that’s been left here… it’s kind of a cool connector in terms of being able just to be here.” Curry said, “But the place and history here is the coolest part of the world. Just to see those kids walking down the 18th fairway where all those champions had walked and holding trophies up on the same green was just amazing to me.”
Curry said that the feedback from Underrated golf players and their family members has been the most rewarding aspect of the tour.
Shyell, 17, from Plainfield, Illinois said that she began golfing at the age of three, but she did not compete against another Black player until two years later.
Lowe stated, “I have experienced many different things as an African American Golfer.” Lowe said, “I have experienced racism, microaggressions and all that jazz. The Underrated show made me realize that what they did was not acceptable. Now I’m more confident. I feel more confident.
There will be more players of all backgrounds, including minorities, coming into the game. This is going to elevate it more. There will be more people who look like me.
Curry wants to make sure that young people of color know there are opportunities in golf. He is determined to give them more access to the sport.
Curry’s case has many layers.
Lowery explained that there is an educational component to the event. Lowery said, “We really want to be the vehicle to spark some of these children to a career pathway, whether it is in golf or general business.
“Steph is concerned about what happens next in golf for the children, but that doesn’t overshadow what’s going to happen next in life for these young people.” It’s about equity, access and opportunity.
A historic course offers the chance to replicate a famous shot.
By: Nate Ulrich
Title: Warriors star Stephen Curry receives Ambassador of Golf Award
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/07/09/golden-state-warriors-stephen-curry-ambassador-golf-award/
Published Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2023 18:37:55 +0000
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