CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – The Truist Championship today announced the six women’s collegiate golf teams selected for the inaugural Access, Opportunity and Development (AOD) Summit, set to be hosted at Quail Hollow Club, August 23-24, 2026. In addition to UNC Charlotte as the honorary host school, Appalachian State University, Gardner-Webb University, North Carolina A&T, Queens University and Winthrop University have been selected to participate in the inaugural AOD Summit benefiting First Tee – Greater Charlotte.

“After much anticipation, we are thrilled to unveil the details for the first Access, Opportunity and Development Summit,” said Truist Championship Executive Director Adam Sperling. “The event was first a vision founded in collaboration with our title sponsor, Truist, and brought to life with the help of our Community Champions – Atrium Health and HendrickCars.com. The AOD Summit is designed as a platform for long-term development that fosters authentic relationships among student-athletes, corporate leaders, and community partners – a goal brought to life through the combined strength of our title, Community Champions, collegiate programs and host venue Quail Hollow Club.”

The AOD Summit, sponsored by Truist Championship’s Community Partners – Truist, HendrickCars.com, and Atrium Health – invites the six teams to participate in an immersive, two-day program designed to expand access, foster opportunity, and support long-term personal and professional growth. During their time spent at Quail Hollow Club, the women’s golf teams will gain corporate leadership access through a dynamic development summit, have opportunity for mentorship in the Am-Am and conclude with a 36-hole competition among the six collegiate golf programs.

“Opportunities like the AOD Summit reflect the very best of what college athletics can be: a platform for building the confidence and skills that will serve student-athletes long after graduation,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Our University is committed to building the workforce our region needs, and that includes cultivating leadership through experiences that extend beyond competition. We are grateful to our partners for creating a space where women student-athletes can broaden their perspective, build meaningful connections for their futures and compete at one of the nation’s premier championship venues.”

The Development Summit is the cornerstone of the AOD experience, providing student-athletes with direct access to industry leaders delivering practical business and life lessons that span well beyond the course through a power panel and keynote speaker series. The morning’s theme will be “The Next Round: Relationships & Readiness for your Future” and feature local business leaders from the tournament’s title sponsor and community champions.

“This is what First Tee is all about - creating access, opportunity, and meaningful relationships for young people in our community,” said Daniel Fogarty, Executive Director of First Tee - Greater Charlotte. “The AOD Summit provides a powerful platform for our participants to connect with leaders across Charlotte, opening doors and building relationships that will have a lasting impact far beyond the golf course.”

Following the Summit, the Truist Championship will host an Am-Am at Quail Hollow Club, pairing two student-athletes with one business leader and one First Tee – Greater Charlotte participant. In total, the Am-Am will feature 18 teams in a shotgun start concluding with a reception, dinner and awards ceremony.

“Atrium Health and the Access, Opportunity and Development Summit share a common goal of showing up for our community year-round,” said Kinneil Coltman, senior executive vice president and chief consumer and social impact officer, Advocate Health, which Atrium Health is a part of. “We’re proud to come together at Quail Hollow Club to surround these student-athletes with mentors, leadership development and real connections — and to extend that impact by supporting First Tee – Greater Charlotte, so even more young people can access the confidence, relationships and opportunities that help shape lifelong health and wellbeing.”

“The AOD Summit presents these student-athletes with a valuable opportunity to connect, learn and grow,” said Hendrick Automotive Group President Jeff “JB” Brown. “The relationships they build and the insights they gain through this experience will stay with them and shape their future beyond the golf course. Our organization strongly believes in investing in people and their continued success, so we’re proud to support this initiative alongside partners who share that commitment.”

On August 24, the event will continue with a 36-hole collegiate-style exhibition featuring the six women’s collegiate golf teams, anchored by the host school, UNC Charlotte. The competition will be a traditional collegiate-style format with professional scoring and ruling officials. Following the final putt, the event will be celebrated with a closing ceremony and awards presentation.

“This initiative, anchored by Truist, is one of the many reasons why having professional golf in Charlotte is so valuable to the community and region,” said Johnny Harris, Quail Hollow Club President. “When Quail Hollow Club first hosted professional golf in 1969, our founders, club members and corporate partners all wanted the event, first and foremost, to play an important role in the fabric of the community. That belief has continued through the years and will continue as long as there is professional golf here.”

“At Truist, we believe access creates opportunity—and opportunity opens doors for meaningful growth,” said Travis Rhodes, Regional President for Truist. “The Access, Opportunity and Development Summit reflects our commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders by connecting talented student‑athletes with mentors, resources and real‑world experiences that extend beyond the game of golf. We’re proud to collaborate with the Truist Championship and our community partners to help create pathways for growth, leadership and lasting impact in Charlotte and across our region.”