The HV3 Foundation is thrilled to partner with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and be a part of their 59th annual CIAA Men’s Golf Conference Championship. This historic tournament will take place at Jacksonville Country Club in Jacksonville, NC on April 16-18, 2023, providing college-level golfers an opportunity to demonstrate excellence on the George Cobb designed golf course.
“The CIAA is thrilled to partner with the HV3 Foundation whose mission is to provide affordable access to the sport of golf. The eight (8) member schools who sponsor golf will not only have an enhanced championship experience through this partnership with HV3, but additional exposure and visibility that our student athletes deserve,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker. “We are grateful for HV3’s vision and the alignment to support our conference and we are pleased to welcome them as a new partner of the CIAA family.”
The partnership with the CIAA to sponsor and assist with operations is an exciting development for the college athletes representing the eight HBCU (historic black colleges and universities) universities who will come together to compete for the team title and top individual honors.
Harold Varner III, Founder and President of the HV3 Foundation, reminisced about his golf career as he announced his foundation’s involvement in sponsoring the tournament. “Through my whole life of playing golf, I think my favorite time was college golf. I love the team atmosphere of trying to win a tournament, not only as a player, but as a team,” said Varner.
Varner also expressed his enthusiasm for being involved in this major event: “Working with the CIAA and providing these guys with the best event at the championship level is very rewarding and I hope they all enjoy the experience.”
This year, Livingstone College and 2022 individual medalist Joel Basalaine will be looking to repeat as conference champions. The Blue Bears are also the only CIAA team ranked (11th) in the Atlantic Region of the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA)’s poll.
About Jacksonville Country Club
The Jacksonville Country Club was established in 1954 and has been home to many members throughout the years. We are proud to be the only private club in Onslow County. Our Clubhouse was completely rebuilt in April of 2002 to accommodate the modern golf lifestyle. The Jacksonville Country Club golf course is one of the first courses designed by George Cobb and is sure to challenge golfers of all skill levels.
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. In 2020, the conference celebrates the special 75th anniversary of its Championship Basketball Tournament – an event that has become a must-see in the African American community. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Winston-Salem State University. Bluefield State University was approved as the 13th full member, starting July 1, 2023.
About the HV3 Foundation
Launched in January 2019, the HV3 Foundation gives aid to programs that allow youth to access golf and other sports. This 501(c3) non-profit foundation is the brainchild of Harold Varner III, who knows firsthand how prohibitive the cost of equipment, proper coaching, and access to courses can be in the game of golf. The mission of the HV3 Foundation is to provide affordable access to youth in sports.
