Samuel G. Puryear

Samuel G. Puryear, Jr. was born in Winston-Salem, NC and is an honors graduate of Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. His coaching career includes Stanford University, Michigan State University, Queens University of Charlotte, and Howard University. He became the first African-American Head Coach at a Power Five Conference university. (MSU 2008) Puryear’s coaching career culminated in a national championship, a Big Ten Championship, two Coach of the Year honors, two Conference Carolina Titles, and two South Atlantic Conference championships. More than 10 of Puryear’s former players have played in at least one PGA Tour event. Puryear has been recognized by several media outlets as a prominent spokesperson on the future of minorities in golf. His work with student-athletes has been featured on ESPN, Inside the PGA TOUR and the Disney Channel. Puryear is dedicated to maximizing potential in the young people he has worked with and is an advocate for education and professional growth. He found a niche in developing golfers and mentoring new coaches, directing junior golf clinics and camps, adult golf instruction and speaking at private corporate outings. He is also a recurring facilitator and coach for Nike’s golf camps in the southeast region. Puryear started his career in 1998 as the Executive Director of the East lake Junior Golf Academy in Atlanta, Ga. He directly impacted the revitalization of the East Lake neighborhood, which at one time was saturated with crime. He shared this inspiring story in his new book, Diamonds in the Rough. Currently, Puryear is the Director of Golf for Howard University and is President of Pure Swing Golf Solutions, LLC. To learn more, visit https://puryeargolf.com.