THE John Shippen Men's Invitational: Presented by Rocket Mortgage

The sun was privileged to shine over Detroit Golf Club as it hosted the John Shippen Men's Invitational, Presented by Rocket Mortgage. The John Shippen was designed to showcase Black amateur and professional golfers, named after John Shippen Jr., A man born a slave and freed through the Civil War. John received a bachelor's degree from Howard University. He later on found a career across golf courses at different positions. John Shippen Jr is known for his tenure as the Head Pro at the Shady Rest Golf Course, now known as the Scotch Hills Country Club.

Shady Rest was the first black golf club in the country. Shippen worked at the Shady Rest from 1924 until his retirement in 1960 during an era when Black luminaries, scholars, social reformers, and entertainers such as W.E.B. DuBois, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Billie Holliday, and Cab Calloway came to perform.

After the first round of play, Flint native Willie Mack III charged out to a five-stroke lead after firing a 9-under-par 63 in the first round. Amateur Marcus Smith (Rockford, Illinois/Howard University) and Nyasha Mauchaza (Port St. Lucie, Florida/Towson University) are tied for second at 4-under-par 68. The John Shippen concluded with pro golfer Willie Mack III taking first place. With pros, Nyasha Mauchaza and Kevin Hall claiming the next spots.

Willie Mack III earned an exemption into the PGA TOUR's Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Other winners for the John Shippen Men's Invitational were Georgia Oboh and Ashley Shaw.

Georgia Oboh was awarded a sponsor exemption to both the 2024 Meijer LPGA Classic and the 2024 Dow Championship and Ashley Shaw was awarded a sponsor exemption to the 2024 LPGA's Cognizant Founders Cup.

THE JOHN SHIPPEN aims to create opportunities in golf for Black men and women, ensure his story is told and preserve his tremendous legacy, which is one of Black History, but also of American History.

Intersport serves as owner, operator, and creator of the John Shippen. Rocket Mortgage served as the presenting partner. Other partners included Meijer, Jeep, United Rentals, and the Golf Association of Michigan.