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PRESS ROOM: Theegala Ready to Follow Model Set by Hovland, Morikawa

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Sahith Theegala’s strong finish at the WM Phoenix Open got him spots into some of the biggest tournaments (the Genesis Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Valspar Championship) and with each start, Theegala continues to further his career in a most positive fashion.
The post PRESS ROOM: Theegala Ready to Follow Model Set by Hovland, Morikawa first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

April 27, 2022

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Ascending PGA TOUR star in strong position to earn card for 2022-23 season

By Jim McCabe

When invitations were sent out for the 86th annual Masters Tournament, there’s no debating that the world’s best players weren’t going to be in attendance.

But should you ask about the best storylines, the discussion could shift in another direction. For starters, a young man by the name of Sahith Theegala was not present at Augusta National and few golfers generate a smile quite like he does.

His is a career on the fast track, so you might want to sit back, soak in the smiles, and prepare to watch the fun take shape.

“I think I’ll have plenty of time to think about it,” Theegala said back in February, when a share of third place at the WM Phoenix Open pretty much guaranteed that he would secure a PGA TOUR card. “I’m definitely excited for what the rest of the year holds.”

That it didn’t include a spot into the 2022 Masters is not a massive disappointment. The strong finish at the WMPO did get him spots into some of the biggest tournaments (the Genesis Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Valspar Championship) and with each start, Theegala continues to further his career in a most positive fashion.

Good stuff for this son of parents, Karuna and Muralidhar, who were born in India and immigrated to the Los Angeles area to give their children a better life. The Southern California locale was ideal for Theegala’s passion for sports and when golf entered the picture, his passion had a clearer focus.

Karuna and Muralidhar insisted that education would be a huge part of it, so Sahith chose Pepperdine University, because it ticked all the boxes. It was close to his home, it would offer a great education, and it had a premier Division 1 golf program.

The bumps that came along the road – he missed a season with a wrist injury; COVID cut short his senior year in 2019-20 – were out of his control, but Theegala maintained great focus. He could have gone back for a fifth collegiate season in 2020-21, but having garnered all three of the most prestigious honors (Jack Nicklaus Award, Ben Hogan Award, Haskins Award), the young man with marvelous skills and optimum physique (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) assessed that he was ready for pro golf.

Nothing that has taken place has been anything but validation that he was right.

As play commenced at the Masters, Theegala was fixed at No. 52 on the FedExCup points list and with $1,147,047 in prize money, there is a positive sense that he belongs.

Certainly, what ensued after the WMPO was a layer of comfort that reminded him that he was not alone in this PGA TOUR quest because Theegala was surrounded by family and friends. He had led through 54 holes and still had a share of the lead standing on the 71st hole when his drive found the water.

He made bogey and eventually fell one shot out of a playoff, won by Scottie Scheffler over Brooks Koepka.

“I thought I hit a great shot on 17. It was cutting,” Theegala said. “But I just didn’t hit the shots at the right time when it counted.”

At the right time, however, he got hugs, kisses, warm embraces, and words of encouragement. “I’m going to give my family a big hug and tell them thanks and all that,” said Theegala, who knew that the roars of support from thousands of vocal fans would stay with him for a long time.

“I loved it. It was awesome. I think from here on out it makes everything else feel a little bit easier to focus and concentrate.”

Should Theegala need further comfort, it likely comes from the way pro golf has unfolded for another 24-year-old, Collin Morikawa. Already a two-time major winner, Morikawa, who is just 10 months older, grew up in Southern California and crossed paths in many tournaments with Theegala.

“It is so cool to see the journey they are on,” said Theegala, referring to Morikawa and two others who are the same age and on a similar trajectory, Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff. “There is no one who knows those guys who would tell you they are surprised at what they’ve already done.”

In other words, should Theegala continue the progress, pile up the top 10s, and possibly win, don’t expect him to express surprise. He’s been prepared for this for the last five or six years.

“(Morikawa and friends) have proven that the level between the top collegians and the pro game isn’t that big a gap.”

The post PRESS ROOM: Theegala Ready to Follow Model Set by Hovland, Morikawa first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org