Getting Off Course Podcast

Sam Puryear - Director of Golf at Howard University

February 01, 2022 Samuel G. Puryear, Jr. Season 1 Episode 9
Getting Off Course Podcast
Sam Puryear - Director of Golf at Howard University
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Sam Puryear is a former college golfer and a pioneer in the world of golf coaching. Sam coached at Stanford (National Championship winner), Michigan State University (where he was the first African-American head coach at a Power Five School and won a Big Ten Championship), and Queens University of Charlotte. He is now the head of the men's and women's golf teams at Howard University, one of only twenty-five HBCUs with a Division 1 golf program. Sam is also the author of Diamonds in the Rough, an inspirational book that we discuss in the podcast.

Listen in to learn more about:

  • Sam's childhood and introduction to golf
  • Sam's collegiate golf career at Tennessee State University
  • Dr. Catana Starks
  • Coaching at Stanford University
  • East Lake Junior Golf Academy in Atlanta
  • Diamonds in the Rough (Sam's book)
  • Faith
  • The genesis of the Howard University Golf Program
  • Thoughts on Steph Curry (who's funding the program)
  • What practice looks like for Howard University golfers
  • Goals and expectations

We ended with a lightning round of 5 questions.

#BleedBlue #HowardForward

This episode is presented by SneakaDeal.com.

Sam's Childhood
Sam's Introduction to Golf
How Sam Ended Up at Tennessee State
Dr. Catana Starks
The Golf Coaching Conversation
Coaching at Stanford
Sam's Views on Golf
East Lake Junior Golf Academy
Diamonds in the Rough
Faith
The Howard University Golf Program
Thoughts on Stephen Curry
Coaching the Men's and Women's Team
Goals and Expectations Moving Forward
Lightning Round