PGA legend Phil Mickelson and Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer Charles Barkley will take on three-time NBA Champion Stephen Curry and two-time Super Bowl Champion Peyton Manning for the third installment of Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change golf tournament.
TNT is exclusively televising the event, being held today (Nov. 27) at 3 p.m. ET at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Ariz.
“I’m excited to return for the third edition of Capital One’s The Match and get out on the course with these three legendary athletes,” Mickelson said. “While we may need a handicap for Chuck, I’m looking forward to playing with Peyton and Stephen and to help raise money for another important cause. It’s also going to give fans and viewers an up-close look at Stone Canyon Golf Club, a place that I’m extremely proud of and excited to show how special it is.”
The premier golf event is returning with a new mission. The third edition of the tournament will uniquely contribute toward and highlight diversity, equality and inclusion through donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
All four players have previously supported diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout their careers, which has led to them teaming up for this event.
“Last year I had the incredible opportunity to play a small role in the rich history of Howard University through the game of golf,” Curry said. “I truly believe an investment in HBCUs is an investment in our future and I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to support these great institutions alongside some of my favorite players…and Chuck.”
Manning, Curry’s teammate, added: “Capital One’s The Match in May was such a memorable experience for me – not just competing against rivals and friends but, more importantly, contributing to COVID-19 and food insecurity relief efforts.”
“I’m proud of the work the PeyBack Foundation has done to support HBCU students in both Louisiana and Tennessee, and I’m looking forward to helping raise additional funding and awareness for HBCUs through Capital One’s The Match,” Manning continued.
When Manning tees up, he will be making donations to three universities: Grambling State, Southern University at New Orleans and Lane College. Curry selected Howard University, Barkley chose Tuskegee University, and Mickelson selected Jackson State.
Leading up to the tournament, Mickelson donated $500,000 to Jackson State University which is separate from what the school will receive from the event.
“Sometimes, you just need a chance, you just need an opportunity,” Mickelson said. “What I’m excited about at Jackson State University is that it gives a lot of people an opportunity that wouldn’t otherwise get it. As we create this match champions for change, we use golf as a way to create change, create awareness and education, but also raise money for opportunities for those who need it.”
The Match will include a series of on-course challenges to drive additional funding for HBCUs. For each of those holes, there will be a minimum of $100,000 up to $2,500,000 (on select holes) donated if a golfer sinks a hole-in-one.
Capital One is also expected to make contributions to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and United Negro College Fund, both of which provide support to HBCUs.
“HBCUs are testaments to the ongoing achievements of the Black community in this country. As part of our work to advocate for equity and justice, we are honored to use the funds raised from Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change to help strengthen HBCUs and create pathways to greater opportunity for the graduates of these vital institutions,” Andy Navarrete, Head of External Affairs at Capital One shared.
The final donation totals to each of the schools will be announced on Monday, November 30th.