ATHENS, Ga. — The 2021-22 PGA Tour season will get under way on Thursday and the University of Georgia once again will lead the Tour with 11 full-time members.
These alums — Harris English, Brian Harman, Russell Henley, Chris Kirk, Kevin Kisner, Keith Mitchell, Greyson Sigg, Sepp Straka, Hudson Swafford, Brendon Todd, and Bubba Watson — have banded together to take part in the Dawgs on Tour Birdie Challenge. The players have agreed to pledge to contribute to Georgia for each birdie they record this season.
The Georgia Bulldog Club is giving all UGA alumni and fans an opportunity to show their support by similarly pledging a fixed amount for each birdie made by any combination of the Tour players. Donors may pledge a fixed amount for birdies from one, multiple, or all alums. Donors also may pledge a fixed amount for birdies for specific months or tournaments.
Donors have may earmark funds toward select Georgia golf funds or the UGA Athletics general fund. Donors will receive updates on each player’s progress and invoices for pledge payments throughout the season.
“I am proud to get the Dawgs on Tour Birdie Challenge started because it connects us PGA Tour players who loved our time at Georgia and love continuing to support the UGA golf team,” Todd said. “I feel like it further solidifies our fraternity of players on Tour and sets the precedent for how UGA golfers will stay connected to the program after they turn professional. The UGA golf program is in great hands with Coach Chris Haack and Coach Jim Douglas. The goal for our financial support is to continue to improve facilities so they can excel as well as recruit the next generation of Bulldogs who will ultimately play on the PGA Tour.”
During Haack’s career, which began in 1996, the Bulldogs have won 66 collegiate tournaments — including two national championships and eight SEC titles — and produced 62 individual medalists. Fifty of his Bulldogs have accounted for 69 All-America certificates. Fifteen of Haack’s proteges have won 64 times on the PGA (41) and Korn Ferry (23) tours.
The Dawgs on Tour Birdie Challenge will begin this week with the Fortinet Championship in Napa, Calif., and will continue through the Tour Championship in Atlanta in August of 2022. Sigg, Straka, Swafford, and Todd are the Bulldogs in the field for the Fortinet Championship.
For reference, over the course of the last three seasons, Georgia’s alums have averaged the following number of birdies per season: Harman, 340; English, 339; Straka, 322; Mitchell, 300; Kisner, 297; Henley, 267; Todd, 266; Watson, 244; Swafford, 210; and Kirk, 198. Sigg will be a full-time member for the first time for 2021-22.
Contributions will provide the necessary resources for current and future Georgia golfers to continue competing for SEC and national titles for years to come.