Billy Horschel is right.
Is he arrogant? Horschel may be cocky, but there is no doubt that once he achieved success, he began to think about how he could give back to a game that had given him so much.
The third annual Billy Horschel APGA invitational will be held this week (Oct.18-20) at Concession Golf Club, Bradenton, Florida. There, 18 of the best APGA Tour players compete over three days, and get the opportunity to interact with sponsors and other industry leaders. Horschel hosts an AJGA tournament as well, but he does more than just put his name on a billboard or show up at the awards ceremony.
Ken Bentley, a founder of the APGA Tour, said that celebrities usually show up at events or tournaments and then leave. After the first round of our first tournament, Billy was playing putting games for dollars with the other guys on the green. They played on the green till dark. Billy told each player to give him his email and phone number, and that he would do everything he could to help them reach the next level. When he told the guys that, he showed the same determination and commitment as when he is trying to win a competition. “The guys believe Billy is on their side.”
The Billy Horschel @APGA_Tour invitational pro-am at The Concession Golf Club was a great success. Shoutouts to @BillyHo_Golf, @britthorschel, @HorschelFdtn, and all who attended. It should be two great days of . pic.twitter.com/Ja1AI7PBWf
— Michael Eaves (@michaeleaves) October 19, 2023
What made Horschel “get” it? And why did the APGA appeal to him as a means of giving back? Todd Anderson, Horschel’s long-time instructor, offers insight into Horschel’s higher purpose.
Anderson stated that “he’s not a person who does things to gain notoriety, but he does them because he is caring and wants to make a positive difference for the people that he meets. I respect him for that.” “I’ve seen other people go out and do things just to gain attention, but he does not do that.” He wants minority golfers to be successful and a part the PGA Tour. He wants to give junior golfers the opportunities he never had. He is a very generous person who does many things to help others, and not because you want to write a story. It’s because he cares.
Horschel will tell you he donates his time, resources and money for many reasons.
He explained that “COVID occurred.” “Many guys were struggling for a place where to play. I met Willie Mack, and we had something in common: both his and my family were not well-off. Our experiences were varied, but I wondered where I would have gotten the money if I had not been able to play in Florida, get sponsored by equipment companies and win a scholarship. My parents could not have supported me. I’m sure some of my friends would have supported me financially for a few years, but from where? If I had things played out differently, I would have been in their shoes (APGA members). “That was the first thing.”
Billy Horschel poses with eight APGA Tour Members during a 2018 visit to the PGA Tour Academy.
Horschel takes barely a breath to reveal the second reason for his support of the APGA. His response is revealing.
He said, “We’ve made progress in the sport of golf but we still have room to improve its inclusiveness.” “To grow this game, we must bring in more minorities. There is still room for improvement. It’s a simple fact. The numbers prove it. This was the perfect scenario, because I believed these guys could change the perception of golf and the people who play it. They can also change opportunities for people. One way to help them is to make a tournament where they can play for more money and invite sponsors who are interested in changing their charity side. The sponsors can see for themselves how talented these players are. Willie will be on Tour within a year or so, but these guys are going to revolutionize golf.
It’s awesome that someone is African-American who sees me playing golf. If they see someone that looks like them playing golf, then their interest will be piqued. Horschel added, “That’s a fact.” When he realizes that Willie is from a similar family background as mine, he will think, “If he can do it, so can I.” I want golf to be a part of my life because I want what he is doing. Basketball and football are so popular because of this. It was because of this that I wanted to take part in and try to grow the sport of golf. Will I be the one to bring more minorities into the game of Golf? Most likely not. But I can back the guys who will have more influence in getting them into golf. And hopefully, with their success, they will be able to reach out to others to grow the sport of golf. It doesn’t matter if you play golf professionally or just for fun, it opens up so many opportunities. Even if they don’t succeed, their connections in the business world can be invaluable to them as they move forward in life. It is a huge thing to be able influence someone’s future and improve their life.
Currently, there are only three Black golfers playing on the PGA Tour – Tiger Woods Cameron Champ and Joseph Bramlett.
Mack III, a former Bethune-Cookman student from Daytona Beach in Florida, won the event twice and received his Korn Ferry Tour Card in December. Horschel was the first to send a congratulatory message. Mack stated that “no one has done more to help me in the world of professional golf than Billy.”
Horschel remembers meeting Mack in 2019 at the Farmers Insurance Open, where Mack and other APGA members had shown him a photo they had taken at TPC Sawgrass after they toured the PGA Tour Academy.
Horschel: “I’m shocked that I don’t recall it.” “Willie (Johnson) and Kaimaiu started working with my instructor. “I wanted to help them because I spent time with them and listened to their stories.”
Horschel was talking to Anderson about how Mack had not been able play as much because of an injury on one finger.
“I told him that it was probably a good thing you were hurt. You’ve traveled a lot in the past couple of years. You haven’t taken the time to recharge and return with a fresh focus.
After Horschel texted congratulations, Mack wrote back, “You were right. The talk I gave after my lesson was huge.
Mack has struggled on the Korn Ferry Tour this year, but he recently passed the first Q-School stage and is working hard to improve his game. He won’t be going for a three-peat at Horschel APGA but he told him that if he wants to cheer on the players he might pop out. Someone else will take home the trophy, along with a check of $40,000 out of the $150,000 prize purse.
Horschel: “I’ve got a certain number in mind where I want to see the purse.” “I want it to get bigger and better.”
