Above photo: Howard University Director of Golf Sam Puryear (l) and actor Chris Tucker.

Howard University brought the spirit of golfing excellence to Atlanta with the 2025 Bison at the Beach – ATL Edition, a three-day event that showcased the strength of its championship golf program while galvanizing alumni and supporters to help drive the program forward. 

Held June 28-30, the weekend focused on the sensational growth of the program, which was established just five years ago with the generous support of four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry. In that time, the men’s team has won back-to-back Northeastern Conference championships while the women’s team has produced several successful players, including recent graduate Kendall Jackson (B.A. ‘25), the most decorated women’s player who will be going pro in August, and Paris Fieldings, a second-year player who earned a trip to the NCAA regional tournament last May.  

The event was also an acknowledgement of how Howard University’s program has advocated for increased access in a sport where Black representation has historically been limited.  

The weekend started off with a junior golf clinic where upwards of 100 Atlanta-area youth came out to the Sugar Creek Golf Club to learn fundamentals from members of Howard University’s golf team and coaches. Prior to getting on the green, Howard University Director of Golf Sam Puryear spent time chatting with parents and children, giving them invaluable information about how to prepare for playing on the college level and beyond. 

The momentum carried over to the next day with a fast-paced evening at the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta, where guests gathered for dinner and an auction to benefit the program. The evening featured an opportunity for attendees to take several laps around the Porsche Center’s 1.6-mile track with a professional driver in one of the luxury brand’s cars. The dinner, emceed by sports journalist Stan Verrett (B.A. ‘87), featured a series of testimonials from current and former members of Howard’s men’s and women’s teams as well as a passionate address by Puryear. During his remarks, Puryear was especially grateful for the support of Porsche, which returned for a second consecutive year as a Bison at the Beach sponsor.  

Ayesha Coker, vice president of marketing for Porsche Cars North America, Inc., said the decision to support Howard University golf was an easy one since the program, like Porsche, is driven by dreams. 

“We love golf at Porsche — and we're proud to return as a sponsor of Howard University’s Bison at the Beach Golf Classic. This partnership celebrates excellence, access, and the student-athletes driving the future of the game,” Coker said. 

The weekend ended with a golf tournament at the prestigious East Lake Golf Club, an iconic course that has hosted some of the biggest names and events in the sport. There, Howard alumni, supporters, and friends, including Verrett and actor Chris Tucker, hit the links for a day full of fun and fellowship — all for a worthy cause. 

These students aren’t just successful on the course and in the classroom. They’re making history and chartering a path for others in the process."

“Bison at the Beach – ATL Edition” is a testament to the power of our community and all that is possible when we invest in our student-athletes. These students aren’t just successful on the course and in the classroom. They’re making history and chartering a path for others in the process,” said Puryear, who spent many years as director of youth golf at East Lake. “We’re not just building a team; we’re building a legacy.”