Charles Davis (Morehouse College) and Andre Brooks (Howard University) of IronKings Golf wanted to create more awareness when it comes to the sport of golf. The two created HBCU Golf apparel which highlights the sport and helps to fund the 33 golf teams at HBCUs across the country.
Davis shares how HBCU Golf seeks to inspire.
Can you tell us how your journey into the golf apparel industry began?
Initially, we couldn’t find any COVID-related golf apparel that represented our school, and as we were gearing up for licensing deals, the process became too long. So, we decided to pivot. We thought, “Why not cover all HBCUs and their golf programs?” That’s when the idea for HBCU Golf was born. We started with hats—six-panel sweat wicker hats, made from a mix of polyester and cotton—and began promoting golf within the African American community, particularly for schools with strong golf programs. There are about 33 HBCUs with golf programs, and part of our proceeds go directly to these programs. We’ve been in business for two years, and that’s how it all came together.
Can you explain some of the challenges smaller HBCUs face in terms of golf?
One major issue is recruiting golfers. HBCUs typically don’t offer individual scholarships for golf players; instead, scholarships are awarded to the program as a whole, which means players have to share. Golf is an expensive sport—traveling, equipment, and tournament fees add up quickly. Because of this, many smaller schools struggle to compete in tournaments, often falling behind larger, better-funded institutions. We aim to bring attention to these challenges and highlight the importance of more investment in HBCU golf programs.
You’ve been growing your brand organically, with support from notable figures like Shaq. How has that process been?
It’s been a steady, old-school growth process. Word of mouth has been huge for us. We’ve been selling our hats in pro shops across the country and connecting with African American golf groups on social media platforms like Facebook. We’ve also donated hats to various HBCU golf programs to help bring awareness. While we haven’t yet worked with major athletes or influencers, we’ve been building our brand steadily. Now that we’ve partnered with a digital marketing company, our ads are reaching a wider audience, and we’re starting to see more recognition.
What impact do you hope your brand will have on the future of golf and HBCUs?
Our goal is to inspire pride in HBCU culture, especially among students and alumni. When you wear our apparel, you’re not just supporting the game of golf; you’re representing your HBCU and saying, “We’re here, and we’re doing this.” We want to be part of the broader conversation about golf in the African American community and show that HBCUs produce talented athletes who deserve recognition in this sport.
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