On August 27, the fairways at Browns Mill Golf Course echoed with more than the sound of tee shots. Over 120 golfers across 30 teams gathered for the 2025 Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament, reaffirming one of Atlanta’s longest-running commitments to youth opportunity.
The event raised $175,500 for the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program (MYSP)—a program that has quietly changed lives since 2005 by helping Atlanta’s students bridge the financial gap to college and certification programs.
“Thousands of our young people have benefitted from this program while working toward their degrees or certifications,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “It makes me happy to know we can show up for these students when they need financial support.”
A Tradition of Inclusion and Impact
Now in its second decade, the Mayor’s Cup has become more than a golf tournament—it’s an Atlanta institution. In 2022, it raised over $94,000 to support 88 students. By 2023, that number grew to 125 students across more than 46 universities—many of them Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
This year’s event brought the scholarship program’s total for the current school year to over $500,000, thanks also to complementary fundraisers like The Dream summer benefit at the Fox Theatre.
“After the first tee, golfers visited activations across the course and spoke with students who have received scholarships through the program, giving them a firsthand look at its impact.”
Atlanta’s Group Project in Action
The tournament was a powerful example of what Mayor Dickens often calls “Atlanta’s group project”—a shared responsibility to invest in the city’s future. Major sponsors included Delta Airlines, Centennial Yards, Georgia Pacific, the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority, HMS Host, the Russell family of companies, and many individual donors.
“Their support highlights what Mayor Dickens often calls the ‘group project’ that is Atlanta—bringing together businesses, nonprofits, and residents to invest in the city’s future.”
The event concluded with an awards ceremony emceed by Shanti Das, founder of Silence the Shame, honoring both tournament winners and those who helped make the scholarships possible.
A Public Course, A Public Mission
Hosted at Browns Mill Golf Course, one of four City-run public golf courses, the setting itself carried symbolism. Just five miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the course is a reminder that Atlanta’s public spaces serve not only recreation but also reinvestment in community.
“The 18-hole course offers challenging play and scenic views close to downtown.”
A Swing Toward the Future
The Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program stands as a quiet force for equity in Atlanta—one built not on speeches, but on action. This year’s Mayor’s Cup didn’t just raise funds—it raised visibility for the hundreds of young people striving for degrees, careers, and futures shaped by purpose.
With each tournament, Atlanta makes a simple promise real: Education is not a privilege—it’s a priority.
