Doug Smith and Will Lowery are two influential Black men in the world of golf, each paving the way for greater diversity, representation, and opportunity within the sport. Doug, an ESPN+ broadcaster and former professional golfer, has leveraged his platform to amplify voices from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions through his work with PGA Works. Will, a former professional golfer turned media personality, has been a passionate advocate for using golf as a tool for youth development and empowering the next generation of golfers from underrepresented communities. Together, they are instrumental in pushing the boundaries of the game, making it more accessible and inclusive for all.
In this exclusive interview with Revelence Media, Doug and Will share their thoughts on the significance of the PGA Works Collegiate Championship, their roles in driving diversity in golf, and their hopes for the future of the sport.
Q: Will, you’ve been a powerful advocate for growing the game of golf. Can you share more about your journey and your role at PGA Works?
Will Lowery: My path to where I am today is an interesting one. I grew up in Charlotte and was introduced to golf at a young age. My true passion is using my experience to help bridge the gap for young kids from communities like mine. The PGA Works platform helps provide a direct path for student-athletes from HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions to not only play golf but also pursue careers in the industry. It’s not just about the game; it’s about making golf a viable career option for these students.
Q: Doug, you’ve described your experience of broadcasting from the PGA Works Collegiate Championship at Shoal Creek as a full-circle moment. Can you explain what that meant for you?
Doug Smith: Shoal Creek has a deep and painful history of racial exclusion, so to be broadcasting from there—especially in a tournament that champions diversity—was incredibly symbolic. It felt surreal to be a past champion of a course that once rejected Tiger Woods, yet here we were, celebrating diversity and inclusion with a tournament full of Black and Brown faces. That’s what makes this event so powerful. It’s not just a competition; it’s a testament to how far the game has come, and the direction it’s heading. It was wild, but humbling at the same time. To be part of that change and to show the world that golf can be a space for everyone—that’s everything.
Q: Will, how has your unorthodox playing style influenced your approach to teaching the game, and what do you think it brings to the table for younger players?
Will Lowery: I’ve always believed that you can’t be what you don’t see. Growing up, there weren’t a lot of people who looked like me in golf. So I embrace my unique style and use it as an example for others. I want to show young golfers, especially from underrepresented communities, that they don’t have to conform to the traditional ways of doing things. Golf isn’t just about technique; it’s about creativity, expression, and finding your own way. My goal is to inspire kids from our communities to take up the game and understand that it can offer so much more than just a sport—it’s a key business enabler too.
Q: The PGA Works Collegiate Championship is considered the most culturally significant event in collegiate golf. What makes it different—not just on the course, but off? Doug, we’ll start with you.
Doug Smith: Well, first of all, I’m from Kentucky, and growing up, I was the only Black kid in the game, the only Black player in the state. I’d go to these big junior events with my family, and maybe a couple of other friends, but there was really no one who looked like me. I was literally the only Black person everywhere I went. So, to have Will with me on this journey—it’s been incredible. The game, for a long time, was closed off by organizations that had a “Caucasian-only” clause, which wasn’t officially dissolved until 1961. On paper, we’ve only really been welcome in the game since the ’60s. When you look at the PGA Works Collegiate Championship, and the cultural significance of it, it’s a tournament where everyone comes from different backgrounds. You’ve got historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and other minority-serving schools, all coming together. It’s designed by us, for us—and it’s done right. It’s a space where you can truly feel comfortable being yourself as a golfer, and for a lot of people, that’s hard to understand unless you’ve been there. But if you get it, you really get it.
Will Lowery: I echo that. Doug put it so well. It’s a place where you feel like you belong. It’s a space where Black and Brown athletes can not only compete but feel seen and heard. It’s a place to where you can feel like you can get in dialogue and congregate with fellow competitors on a more understanding level. When I talk about the PGA Works Championship to people who may not know, I don’t hesitate to tell them that it’s a tournament for us, by us. It’s FUBU golf—For Us, By Us. It’s a movement that Doug and I are proud to be a part of. And that’s what makes this championship different—it’s ours, and it’s built by our communities.
Q: With approximately 180 student-athletes from HBCUs and minority-serving institutions, what are you most excited to witness during this year’s championship?
Doug Smith: First of all, I went to Florida A&M University (FAMU), so I have a special connection to this event. Unfortunately, our team isn’t here this year because we won our conference championship and qualified for the NCAA tournament, which is monumental—it’s only the second time in the school’s history that this has happened. But what excites me most is being on the broadcast for Golf Channel. It’s an opportunity to be authentically myself because this is our tournament. I’ve had the chance to etch my name into the history of this event, and for this one week, I can’t be told anything. I’m excited to bring this tournament to the masses in a way that feels unique, authentic, and still full of facts and figures—but with a little more personality. You might hear a few different words come out, you know?
Will Lowery: What excites me the most is the idea that these kids, who come from different communities all around the country, are now playing on one of the most iconic courses in the world—Whistling Straits. This is a big deal. They’re here not just because they’ve performed well in the regular season, but because the PGA of America and Kohler had the foresight to bring this championship to a place like this. What’s even more special is that, 20 or 30 years from now, these kids will remember that they competed at Whistling Straits. That’s something that a very small percentage of people will ever get to experience. It’s a moment that will stay with them forever.
Q: Will, given the historic nature of Whistling Straits as the venue for this year’s PWCC, what do you hope these student-athletes take away from this experience?
Will Lowery: Playing at Whistling Straits is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For these athletes, it’s a chance to compete at one of the most iconic courses in the world, and that’s something that they can carry with them forever. What excites me most is knowing that years down the line, these kids will look back and say, “I played at Whistling Straits in a national championship.” Not many people get that opportunity, so this is about more than just a tournament.
Q: As you’ve mentioned, representation is everything, and you can’t be what you can’t see. If a young Black or Brown kid sees you two at Whistling Straits and thinks, “I belong in this game, too,” what do you hope they feel in that moment?
Doug Smith: Wow. A feeling? It’s the only thing that’s real. I hope they feel galvanized, like they don’t have to second-guess themselves or who they are. You don’t have to dumb down who you are to fit into this game. Whatever you value, whatever makes you unique—bring that with you. I did this for you. I want them to feel liberated and empowered to show up as themselves, without any apologies. That’s the message I’d want them to take away.
Will Lowery: I hope they feel and understand that golf is a key business enabler. For me, golf has put me on some solid ground, surrounded by a rich history. It’s something they can take and use to go even further—whether that’s in business, in life, or beyond. They’ll know they belong in certain rooms, and that feeling will open doors for them to meet influential people who can help guide them on their path.
Q: Last question: What would you like to see introduced further to bridge golf with community culture and career access? Doug, we’ll start with you.
Doug Smith: When we talk about the idea of “you can’t be what you can’t see,” there’s something to be said about access. This championship is on Golf Channel, which isn’t accessible to everyone—it’s not even on the basic ESPN cable pack, it’s on a higher-tier package. So, when we’re doing work in these communities we serve, it’s behind a paywall. That’s a real barrier. I’d love to see this event broadcast live on platforms like YouTube, where there’s no hindrance to access. We’re doing work to highlight diversity in the game, and if we’re truly going to make golf accessible, the broadcast needs to reach the people who matter most—the ones who don’t traditionally have access. I know it sounds simple, but broadcasting it where everyone can see it is a key step. If we’re serious about expanding golf and breaking down barriers, this change needs to happen.
Will Lowery: Yeah, to echo what Doug said, we’re definitely seeing how golf is growing, but we also see the traditional gatekeepers trying to hold onto the old way of doing things. But now, there’s a new generation consuming golf differently, especially through platforms like YouTube. Fifty million people are watching golf-related content on YouTube daily, or consuming golf content through social media. The challenge is: how do we innovate without alienating the traditions of the game? We need to think outside the box and create something that’s available to everyone, whether you’re old, young, Black, White, or anywhere in between. Golf has traditionally been exclusive, but we need to make sure we’re opening the doors to newcomers and showing them that they belong in the game, too.
Follow Doug and Will
Stay up-to-date with Doug and Will’s journey as they continue to push for change in the world of golf. Follow Doug on Instagram at @TheDouglasFresh and Will on Instagram at @WillLoweryGolf. Don’t forget to check out their podcast, Beyond the Fairway, to dive deeper into their mission of diversity and inclusion in the sport.
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