헌팅턴 나셔널 은행이 PGA Tour University의 공식 스폰서로 나섰다. 이 파트너십은 대학 골프계 최고 인재들을 발굴하고 PGA 투어 관계사로의 진출 길을 열어주는 프로그램의 미션에 부응하는 전략적 선택이다.
01헌팅턴의 골프 투자 철학
헌팅턴 은행의 소비자·지역 금융 부문 대표 브랜트 스탠드리지는 "잠재력에 투자하고 삶의 중요한 순간에 사람들을 지원한다는 우리의 믿음이 반영된 파트너십"이라고 설명했다. "이들 선수들이 보여준 기율, 회복력, 성과는 정말 놀라우며, 그들이 다음 단계로 나아갈 때 우리가 함께하게 되어 자랑스럽습니다."
헌팅턴의 최고 마케팅 책임자 비자이 콘두루는 "PGA Tour University는 팬들과 연결되면서 동시에 골프 선수들의 결정적 성장 단계를 지원할 수 있는 신뢰할 만한 플랫폼"이라며 "진정한 진전은 잠재력이 올바른 지원을 만날 때 비롯되며, 이 프로그램은 그 신념을 현실로 만든다"고 밝혔다.
02스폰서십의 범위
헌팅턴은 신진 인재를 조명하고 준비, 야망, 직업적 성장의 이야기를 담은 투어 중심의 미디어·콘텐츠 전략을 펼칠 예정이다. 주간 랭킹 업데이트부터 PGA Tour University 플랫폼 전반에 헌팅턴 브랜딩이 통합될 것이다.
03PGA Tour University의 성과
2020년 출범 이래 100명 이상의 선수가 PGA 투어 관계사 멤버십을 획득했으며, 이들이 거둔 프로 우승은 전 세계적으로 49승이다. 2026 시즌 기준으로 23명의 동문이 PGA 투어 멤버이며, 33명이 콘퍼런스 투어(Korn Ferry Tour) 멤버다.
04투어 패스웨이 담당자의 말
PGA Tour 패스웨이를 총괄하는 알렉스 볼드윈은 "PGA Tour University는 대학 골프의 최고 인재를 발굴해 PGA 투어 생태계로 매끄럽게 전환시키는 시스템을 만들었다"며 "헌팅턴 은행의 인재와 잠재력 투자 비전은 PGA Tour University의 우선순위와 완벽히 맞아떨어진다"고 평가했다.
05평가 기준
PGA Tour University는 세계 아마추어 골프 랭킹(WAGR)과 협력해 선수들의 마지막 2년간 대학 성적을 기반으로 평가한다. NCAA 1부 팀 경기, PGA 투어 공식 경기, 선발 DP World Tour 경기가 평가 대상이다. 대학 시즌 종료 시 1순위 선수는 PGA 투어 멤버, 2-10순위는 콘퍼런스 투어, 11-25순위는 PGA Tour Americas 멤버가 된다.
06Original (English) — PGA TOUR
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., and COLUMBUS, Ohio — PGA TOUR University announced The Huntington National Bank as an official sponsor, extending the bank's sports marketing efforts and reinforcing its commitment to collegiate athletics.
As an official sponsor of PGA TOUR University, Huntington Bank will support the program's mission to identify the top players in collegiate golf and provide membership opportunities on PGA TOUR-affiliated tours. The partnership aligns with Huntington's focus on investing in people and long-term potential.
"Our partnership with PGA TOUR University reflects our belief in investing in potential and supporting people at defining moments in their journey," said Brant Standridge, president of consumer and regional banking at Huntington Bank. "These collegiate athletes have demonstrated discipline, resilience and performance. We are proud to support them as they take the next step in their careers."
As part of the agreement, Huntington will activate a tour-focused media and content strategy designed to spotlight emerging talent and share stories centered on preparation, ambition and professional growth. The initiative will integrate Huntington branding across PGA TOUR University platforms, including weekly ranking updates as players compete to finish in the top 25 of the final PGA TOUR University Ranking.
"PGA TOUR University gives us a credible platform to connect with fans while supporting golfers at a pivotal stage of development," said Vijay Konduru, chief marketing officer at Huntington Bank. "We believe progress happens when potential is met with the right support. This program brings that belief to life."
Huntington's golf strategy is rooted in a foundation established by Malcolm Holland, who launched the bank's golf program at Veritex Community Bank.
"When we began investing in golf, it was driven by a belief that supporting people early in their journey creates lasting impact," said Malcolm Holland, chairman of Texas for Huntington Bank. "This partnership with PGA TOUR University reflects that same philosophy by supporting young athletes at a defining moment in their careers."
Since launching in 2020, more than 100 players have earned membership on a PGA TOUR-affiliated tour through PGA TOUR University, with alumni combining for 49 professional wins worldwide. For the 2026 season, 23 PGA TOUR University alumni are PGA TOUR members, and 33 alumni have membership on Korn Ferry Tour.
"PGA TOUR University has created a seamless system for identifying and transitioning top college golf talent into the PGA TOUR ecosystem, and partnering with Huntington Bank gives us the opportunity to further exemplify that mission through spotlighting the future stars of the game," said Alex Baldwin, who oversees PGA TOUR Pathways, which includes PGA TOUR University and the TOUR's other pathways properties. "Huntington Bank's vision to invest in people and potential perfectly fits with the priorities of PGA TOUR University, and we're looking forward to collaborating with them as an Official Sponsor."
In partnership with the World Amateur Golf Ranking, PGA TOUR University evaluates players based on results from the final two years of their collegiate careers. Eligible tournaments include NCAA Division I men's team competitions, official PGA TOUR events and select DP World Tour events.
At the conclusion of each collegiate season, the No. 1 player in the final PGA TOUR University Ranking earns PGA TOUR membership. Players ranked Nos. 2 through 10 earn Korn Ferry Tour membership, while players finishing Nos. 11 through 25 earn PGA TOUR Americas membership.
