Watson Links and Bank of America Partner to Expand Youth Golf Access and Mentorship through Golf with Us
Rhea-AI Summary
Watson Links and Bank of America (BAC) partnered on March 27, 2026 to expand the Golf with Us program, adding mentor-led youth golf experiences nationwide in 2026. Bank of America becomes Watson Links' Champion Partner, funding expanded on-course mentoring to increase access for kids and teens.
Watson Links pairs juniors ages 10–18 with vetted adult mentors; in 2025, 1,153 junior golfers and mentors participated across 21 U.S. markets, and Golf with Us reached nearly 100,000 young people last year.
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News Market Reaction – BAC
In the Mar 27 session, BAC declined 2.63%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26 | Race sponsorship | Positive | -1.1% | Sponsorship of 45th Shamrock Shuffle with 26,000+ participants in Chicago. |
| Mar 26 | AI tools launch | Positive | -1.1% | Launch of AI-Powered Meeting Journey to streamline advisor workflows. |
| Mar 23 | Soccer access program | Positive | +0.8% | ‘Soccer at Schools’ initiative to expand soccer access in U.S. schools. |
| Mar 19 | Earnings dates notice | Neutral | +0.3% | Announcement of quarterly financial reporting dates through Q4 2027. |
| Mar 19 | World Cup sweepstakes | Positive | +0.4% | Visa co-branded FIFA World Cup 2026™ trip sweepstakes for cardholders. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent community and marketing initiatives have often seen modest or mixed price reactions, with some positive alignment and occasional divergences.
Over the past weeks, BAC has highlighted multiple brand and community initiatives alongside technology investments. On Mar 26, 2026, it sponsored the Shamrock Shuffle while also announcing an AI-Powered Meeting Journey, both followed by a -1.05% move. Earlier in March, BAC launched Soccer at Schools on Mar 23, linked to a 0.76% gain, and promoted a FIFA World Cup 2026™ sweepstakes on Mar 19 with a 0.38% rise. Today’s youth golf partnership fits this pattern of sports- and community-focused branding.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Established by Bank of America in collaboration with Youth on Course, Golf with Us introduces more young people to the game through affordable opportunities to play, instructional clinics and continued development, and local partnerships. In 2026, Watson Links will join the growing Golf with Us ecosystem by adding mentor-led golf experiences that help junior players build confidence, knowledge of the game and life-readiness skills alongside caring, vetted adult golfers.
Through the partnership, Bank of America becomes Watson Links' Champion Partner, providing critical support that helps expand golf mentoring opportunities, fund new on-course experiences, and increase access to golf for kids and teens of all skill levels nationwide.
Founded in 2021, Watson Links pairs junior golfers—typically ages 10–18—with adult golf mentors for nine-hole rounds designed to drive fun, teach golf etiquette, and develop important social and life-readiness skills. These free mentor-driven experiences help remove some of the barriers young players face—course access, cost, and lack of guidance—while creating lasting connections between generations of golfers.
"One of the best ways to learn something new—or master a skill—is with the help of a mentor," shared Tom
The key ingredient in Watson Links experiences are golf mentors —caring adults who bring encouragement, perspective, and real-world wisdom that apply both on and off the golf course. These rounds can benefit highly skilled junior golfers as well as those who are newer to the game. Golf mentors are players of all skill levels who share a passion for the game and serve as positive role models for the next generation. Adult golfers do not have to be major champions to make a major impact in their communities.
"Last year, Golf with Us helped nearly 100,000 young people – including many first-time golfers – experience the transformative power of the sport," said Michele Barlow, Head of Enterprise Marketing, Bank of America. "Together with Watson Links, we can increase access and opportunity for more young people while mentors integrate the valuable skills that drive success on and off the course."
In 2025, 1,153 junior golfers and mentors participated in Watson Links mentoring rounds across 21 U.S. markets. In 2026, the organization will bring free golf mentoring experiences to thousands more young players.
To learn more about where to find Watson Links or to get involved as a junior golfer or mentor, visit WatsonLinks.org.
About Watson Links
Watson Links is a nonprofit youth golf mentoring organization founded in 2021 by eight-time major champion Tom Watson. The organization builds community and personal growth through golf mentoring. Watson Links works with local partners to create or strengthen programs that pair junior golfers ages 10–18 with vetted adult mentors. These on-course experiences build confidence, teach golf etiquette, and develop important life-readiness skills while helping remove barriers to the game. In 2026, Watson Links programs will span 55 markets nationwide, engaging golfers of all ages and skill levels in a growing mentoring movement through golf.
Bank of America's Sports Commitment
Bank of America serves as a Champion Partner of the Masters Tournament and has partnered with the Augusta National Women's Amateur since 2019. Bank of America is also the presenting partner of the More Than Golf Invitational for female amateur golfers in partnership with the ANNIKA Foundation and has partnered since 2002 with the Latin America Amateur Championship and Asia-Pacific Amateur Championships.
Beyond its growing golf partnership portfolio, Bank of America also partners with iconic brands in sports that share a vision for excellence and achievement. Through these partnerships, the bank is working to deepen client relationships, inspire and showcase teammates, create lasting economic impact in communities, and drive growth, globally and locally, through the power of sport. To learn more, visit our Bank of America Sports webpage.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.
Reporters may contact
Andy Aldridge, Bank of America
Phone: 1.980.387.0514
andrew.aldridge@bofa.com
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SOURCE Bank of America Corporation