Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational Field Announced | PGA TOUR

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The PGA TOUR’s Pathway to Progression on Wednesday announced the field for the third playing of the Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational, a key component of the Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program. The tournament, designed to elevate collegiate golf and provide opportunities for emerging talent, will feature a diverse lineup including Tohoku Fukushi University, the defending champions from Japan, alongside prominent NCAA Division I programs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational is scheduled for March 23-24 at Silverado Country Club in Napa, California, in collaboration with the Golf Coaches Association of America. The 54-hole event will encompass both team and individual stroke play, with the individual champion earning a coveted exemption into the 2026 Blue Championship, a Korn Ferry Tour event held at TPC Colorado in Berthoud, Colorado.

Joining defending champion Tohoku Fukushi University are ten additional Division I men’s golf teams: Brigham Young University (the 2024 champion), Cal Poly, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, University of Hawaii, University of North Alabama, University of San Francisco, Santa Clara University, UC Davis, and UConn. This represents a broad geographical spread of collegiate golf powerhouses, promising a highly competitive field.

Adding to the tournament’s significance is the inclusion of three HBCU men’s golf teams: Florida A&M University, Howard University, and North Carolina A&T University. This commitment to diversity and inclusion underscores the Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program’s broader goals.

“The PGA TOUR is thrilled to again partner with Bridgestone and the Golf Coaches Association of America in this exciting opportunity to highlight collegiate golfers from diverse backgrounds,” said Kenyatta Ramsey, PGA TOUR vice president, player development. “The Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational will soon welcome some of the top HBCU golf teams to Silverado Resort to compete against top collegiate teams from around the world. We could not be more appreciative of Bridgestone for their continued support of this event.”

Caitlyn Ranson, head of partnerships at Bridgestone Americas, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The Bridgestone Collegiate Development program was launched to help build a stronger, more inclusive golf community both on and off the course. It’s exciting to see that impact taking shape at this year’s Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational with such a high-level competition. We congratulate and thank these teams for helping us create more equitable access to opportunity – in golf and beyond – for generations to arrive.”

The Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program is a multi-faceted initiative dedicated to fostering competitive opportunities and mentorship for golfers from HBCUs and underrepresented communities. Beyond the Invitational, the program encompasses the Bridgestone APGA Collegiate Ranking, the HBCU Performance Day presented by Bridgestone, the Pathway to Progression HBCU Performance Day presented by Bridgestone, and the Bridgestone HBCU Invitational.

The program’s impact extends beyond simply providing tournament access. It aims to create tangible career development opportunities for both players and coaches, addressing systemic barriers within the sport. The inclusion of an exemption to a Korn Ferry Tour event for the individual champion is a particularly significant step, offering a direct pathway to professional golf for a promising collegiate player.

The Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational represents more than just a golf tournament; it’s a strategic investment in the future of the sport. By actively seeking to diversify the talent pipeline and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups, the PGA TOUR and Bridgestone are working to build a more inclusive and equitable landscape for collegiate and professional golf. The competition at Silverado will undoubtedly be fierce, but the broader implications of the event – fostering diversity, creating pathways to professional golf, and strengthening the collegiate game – are arguably even more significant.

The tournament’s format, combining team and individual stroke play, will test the depth and versatility of each team. The pressure of competing for both a team championship and an individual Korn Ferry Tour exemption will add another layer of intensity to the competition. Silverado Country Club, with its challenging layout and scenic beauty, provides a fitting backdrop for this vital event.

The participation of Tohoku Fukushi University, a program consistently recognized for its excellence in Japanese collegiate golf, adds an international dimension to the field. Their presence underscores the global reach of the Bridgestone Collegiate Development Program and the growing interconnectedness of the collegiate golf world.

As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Silverado Country Club, not just to witness the competition, but to observe the impact of a program dedicated to building a more inclusive and equitable future for golf. The Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational is poised to become a cornerstone event in the development of the next generation of golfing talent.