Golf Pride, the Pinehurst-based grip manufacturer, received a Spirit of North Carolina Award in the Sustainability Through Engagement category at the United Way of North Carolina’s Spirit of North Carolina Awards Ceremony and Best Practice Showcase on May 13. The company was nominated by United Way of Moore County and was among 19 award winners recognized statewide, representing 12 local United Ways.
The Spirit of North Carolina Award honors organizations and individuals who exemplify the spirit of their communities, recognizing those who demonstrate exceptional achievement in their United Way campaigns and help build a philanthropic culture beyond their walls.
Golf Pride earned the recognition for its comprehensive, employee-driven volunteer program, one that goes beyond writing checks to embed community service into the fabric of its workplace culture. Each volunteer event at the company opens with a structured orientation connecting Golf Pride’s mission and values to the specific activity at hand, giving employees a deeper understanding of local challenges and the role the company plays in addressing them.
A distinctive feature of Golf Pride’s approach is a company benefit offering 32 hours of paid volunteer time annually, the equivalent of one day per quarter, allowing employees to participate in community service without sacrificing personal time. Volunteer opportunities are communicated regularly, with employees encouraged to choose experiences aligned with their individual interests, skills, and availability.
The sustained commitment has yielded measurable results. Golf Pride’s last four annual United Way campaigns each achieved a participation rate exceeding 90%.
A recent community trolley tour of Moore County illustrated the depth of that commitment. As employees traveled through local neighborhoods, they encountered the stories and needs of residents often overlooked in the course of daily life.
“That ride reminded us of why we do this work,” said Tiffany Edwards, a member of the Golf Pride human resources management team. “The opportunity to donate was a moment of reflection. It reminded us that giving isn’t always about the amount. It’s about the intention.”
Linda Pearson, president of United Way of Moore County, said Golf Pride’s approach to engagement sets a high bar for the region’s business community.
“Golf Pride doesn’t just support United Way. They live it,” Pearson said in a press release. “Their commitment to structured, intentional volunteerism, year after year, is exactly the kind of sustained community investment that makes Moore County stronger. This recognition is well deserved.”
United Way of North Carolina, based in Cary, leads the Spirit of North Carolina Award nomination process and presents the awards annually to companies and individuals across the state. The 2025 recognition cycle honored winners across categories, including Campaigns of Impact, Community Ambassador, Intentional Inclusion, Leaders in Volunteering, Community Resiliency, and Sustainability Through Engagement.
Golf Pride, a division of Eaton Corporation, is the world’s leading manufacturer of golf grips and has been trusted by touring professionals and everyday golfers alike for more than 75 years. Headquartered in Pinehurst, N.C., Golf Pride designs and produces grips used on more tours and by more players than any other brand. Beyond the golf course, Golf Pride is deeply committed to the community it calls home, investing in the well-being of Moore County residents through volunteerism, charitable giving, and sustained civic engagement. The company’s culture of service reflects a belief that being a great employer and a great neighbor are inseparable.
United Way of Moore County mobilizes the caring power of the community to create lasting change across the Sandhills region. Through strategic investments in health, education, and financial stability, United Way of Moore County works alongside local nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and volunteers to address the most pressing needs facing residents. By partnering with forward-thinking employers like Golf Pride, United Way of Moore County strengthens the fabric of the community and ensures that no one is left behind. For more information, visit unitedwaymoore.org.
Feature photo: Pictured left to right: Kit McKinley, Linda Pearson, Ashley Staats, Leanne Bromwell, and Brittany Pruitt-Fletcher.
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Contributed article/photo.
