Justin Thomas gives $1 million gift to Alabama, the Crimson Standard

Two-time PGA Champion and Alabama alum Justin Thomas committed $1 million to the Crimson Standard to further upgrade the Crimson Tide men’s and women’s new golf facility, the Crimson Reserve, the program announced Tuesday.

“Alabama Athletics is incredibly grateful to Justin for his commitment and support of the Crimson Reserve and our golf programs,” Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne said in a press release. “We are proud to have one of our finest student-athletes give back to his sport, both financially and with his input on designing our world-class facility.”

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Thomas, who played at Alabama from 2011-13 and helped lead the Tide men’s golf team to the 2013 NCAA Championship, won the PGA Championship in 2017 and 2022 after turning pro in 2013.

“It’s hard to put into words the love and feelings I have for The University of Alabama,” Thomas said in the release. “I was so lucky to be able to spend two incredible years playing under (men’s) Coach (Jay) Seawell. He and his wife, Stephanie, were, and still are, like family to me. This dream of making the Crimson Reserve couldn’t be done without Coach Seawell and (women’s) Coach (Mic) Potter and what they’ve done with the programs. I’m honored to have a very small part in it.”

The Crimson Reserve, Alabama’s new multi-use golf facility, was dedicated in late 2024 and sits less than a mile from campus on 164 acres of land in Tuscaloosa. The complex includes locker rooms for both the men’s and women’s teams, lounges, meeting areas, recovery and nutrition spaces, exercise rooms, a putting lab, three hitting backs for each team with state-of-the-art swing and flight analysis technology, along with a 7,200-yard, nine-hole course that provided flexibility to play 18 homes in a variety of ways.

“I am so proud of Justin and thankful for what he’s meant to our program and The University of Alabama,” Alabama men’s golf coach Jay Seawell said in the release. “He is a big part of the legacy of Alabama golf. It means so much that he would be willing to give back to the golf programs. His impact while at the Capstone and his success on the PGA Tour continues to inspire our current players and his gift will impact young men and women who choose Alabama golf for years to come. This gift reflects the kindness and character of Justin and his family and their commitment to the future success of Alabama golf. We could not be more grateful for his generosity and love of The University of Alabama.”

The Crimson Standard is a 10-year, $600 million capital initiative started in 2018 with the intention to elevate the student-athlete experience, recruiting efforts and game-day experience for Alabama fans. That has included renovations to Bryant-Denny Stadium, the football team’s Mal Moore Athletic Facility, Coleman Coliseum, which houses the men’s and women’s basketball teams, and Rhoades Stadium, home of the Crimson Tide softball team.