The 2025 Original Tee Golf Classic

The 2025 Original Tee Golf Classic, held July 26–27 at the Wild Turkey Golf Course at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, New Jersey, brought together a powerful blend of history, style, and community in golf.

Honoring a Trailblazer: LaRee Pearl Sugg

This year’s event celebrated the legacy of LaRee Pearl Sugg, the third African American woman to compete on the LPGA Tour. She received the True Original Award, commemorating her barrier-breaking journey, dedication to excellence, and ongoing advocacy for education and sports inclusion (Quality Approved).

Diverse, Inclusive, Cultural

Hosted by Original Tee Golf (OTG)—a “culture club” blending golf, business, entertainment, and fashion—OTGC amplified inclusion and celebrated pioneers like George F. Grant, inventor of the golf tee and a guiding inspiration behind the organization’s name and mission (Quality Approved).

The Venue: Wild Turkey at Crystal Springs Resort

This Rustic, Robert Rulewich–designed course—laid out in 2001—is known for its “basin & ridge” landscape with rolling elevation, expansive terrain, and crisp turf. Wild Turkey spans 7,202 yards from the back tees and features one of Crystal Springs’ most engaging layouts, offering a challenging yet picturesque setting for OTGC’s premiere competition (Quality Approved).

Tournament Highlights & Format

• Spectacular Competition: A full shotgun start on Sunday, July 27, included opening tee-offs by LaRee Sugg, followed by the Battle of the Bisons, a highlight match-play event among teams of influential participants and pros .
• Youth Engagement: The Fresh Classic Youth Competition paired junior golfers (ages 4–15) with PGA professionals in a friendly nine-hole scramble—focused on fun, mentorship, and skill building .
• Professional Invitational: Top Black professional golfers competed for purse money in a showcase of elite talent and commitment to inclusion within competitive golf .

Sponsors & Cultural Significance

This year’s tournament featured prominent partners, including Starter, Delta Air Lines, NBA, and Yeti, underscoring OTG Classic’s influence at the intersection of sports, business, and lifestyle. Starter’s collaboration reinforced the brand’s alignment with heritage, authenticity, and diversity in sports culture .

Why It Matters

• Cultural Legacy: By honoring pioneers like Sugg, OTG underscores a deep respect for golf history, especially contributions from underrepresented communities.
• Community Building: A powerful gathering of professionals, celebrities, youth, and fans—fostering fellowship, opportunity, and mentorship.
• Stylish, Impactful Branding: OTG fosters a lifestyle forum where fashion, golf, and social influence converge.

Looking Ahead: The Legacy Continues

Celebrating its 25th year, the 2025 Original Tee Classic marked another milestone in fostering cultural awareness, meaningful inclusion, and honoring golf’s unsung legends. As always, OTGC continues driving a vision of excellence for new generations of golfers and influencers alike.

Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, community leader, or fan of equitable storytelling in sports, the Original Tee Golf Classic indicates a promising future—one that blends heritage with progressive inclusion.