According to mental game
expert, Dr. Michael Johnson, "Golf
is a funny game. One day you shoot your
physical best (for an amateur), and the
next day it seems nothing goes right. But,
two days later you shot a really good game
and the cycle continues. So how do we get
more consistent with our game? We build
on the mental game of golf."
(...read more in the Summer 2006 issue.)
Tyrone Wallace
Chairman/President & CEO
of Nirvana Golf Technologies
Tyrone Wallace is leading the
way for customized golf equipment and he is now on
a quest to make it available to the novice and the
professional. Read more in the Spring 2004 isssue.
The Presley
Tour
Northern
California Minority
Jr. Golf Scholarship Assoc.
Willie Simmons, Founder Email:
Willie Simmons
Meet "Jack" of Ormond Beach, FL. A
military veteran, life member of the NAACA and
Kappa Alpha Psi and member of the Ebony Golf
Association.
Jack earned a Bachelors Degree from Bethune-Cookman
College, a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling
from Florida Atlantic University and was a member
of its football, basketball and golf teams.
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golfer profile using the Story Tip Sheet!
Quincy R. Heard was born on May 17, 1969 in Montgomery,
Alabama. He was raised by his Aunt Harriet and
Uncle Earl Marsh, while his mother
completed her Bachelor of Science in Education
at Alabama State University. In 1988, he joined
the Navy and began playing golf when he was 21
years old.
Quincy entered the
PGA of America as a novice in 1998. It took him
many years of hard work and dedication to pass
the PGA of America's Playing Ability Test requirement
(PAT). In 2006, he completed the requirements
and was elected for membership to the Professional
Golfer's Association of America, becoming Oregon's
second African American golf professional.
(...read more in the Spring 2007 issue.)
Willie
McRae:
A Living Legend
For more than six decades Willie McRae has walked
the pristine and historic fairways of Pinehurst
Golf Club and Resort with a humble and quiet dignity.
He has helped carry on the proud tradition of
the black caddie and for almost 80 years the McRae
family has played a prominent role in the history
of Pinehurst.
The McRae Family is just as much
a part of the history of Pinehurst as it’s
more famous guests. Thaddeus McRae, the son of
a sharecropper started caddying at the Pinehurst
Golf Club in 1927. He was one of many black caddies
that traveled from the Taylortown, NC a small
town just two miles from the resort to work at
the Golf course that the Tufts Family owned. Caddying
was a way to earn money and support his wife and
twelve children.
(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)
John
Robinson
expects to attract some of today's most elite
junior golfers with his inaugral G3 Tour(Got Guts
Golf) that kicks off in August 2005. The fundraiser
is an opportunity for youth to showcase their
skills and gain national exposure while benefitting
a worthy cause.
(Read more in the Summer 2005 issue.)
Albert
Crews says, "I still
keep the faith," as he reflects on how he almost
made the cut for the U.S Senior Open in July at
the NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio. Gain
insight into how the 53-year-old, baptist minister
and full-time mason drove his five-year-old SUV
with over 130,000 miles on it for more than 14-hours
just to reach the tournament, only to come three
shots short of realizing his dream. (Read more
in the Summer 2005 issue)
Leonard
Jones
knows the golf scene better than most people you'll
probably ever meet. He's played pro, worked with
youth, founded the Minority Golf Foundation, held
a Tiger Woods clinic and still manages and teaches
at two golf venues in Dallas, Texas. How does
he do it? Learn more about this man on a mission.
(Read more in the Summer 2005 issue.)
Jay
McNair was one of the few Blacks who got an
opportunity to participateon
"The Big Break," The
Golf Channel's hit reality TV show that captured
America's attention. McNair found
himself in the living rooms and homes of many
who never knew he and his exceptional golf skill
existed. (Read more in the Summer 2005 issue.)
The
Fairplay Foundationheld its annual Celebrity Open and it
has become the hottest ticket in town during June,
when they hosted the "Kids Night Out" at Six Flags
in New Olreans. Chairman, Dale Brock
was ecstatic with the success of the event that
attracted over
155 youngsters out for an
evening of enjoyment and festivities. (Read more
in the Summer 2005 issue.)
The Urban
Chamber of Commerce
President, Hanna Brown
along with Golf Chair, Edgar "Tee" Taylorand Ann
Gregory's daughter, JoAnn Gregory-Overstreet
filled the course with excitement at
Siverstone GC during their 6th Annual Las Vegas
Tournament.Legendary golfer,
Lee Elder was also on hand as
52 scholarships were awarded to deservinf youth.
(Read more in the Summer 2005 issue.)
(L-R): Dennis Cone,
PCA President with
Walter "Cricket" Pritchett
Walter
"Cricket" Pritchett Inducted
Into PCA Worldwide Caddie Hall of Fame
Walter "Cricket" Pritchett was honored
with induction into the Professional Caddie Association
(PCA) Worldwide Caddie Hall of Fame in January
2007.
Pritchett’s longtime
caddie buddy, Alfred “Rabbit” Dyer,
nominated him for the award.
Pritchett, now 63 years old, started caddying
when he was 10 years old in Houston, Texas. Walter,
who grew up without a father, was able to provide
most of the family’s income by caddying
after school and on weekends. (...read more in
the Spring 2007 issue.)
Soulful
Golf is a meticulous duo serving
the community while providing access to high quality
golf activities on demand. Find out how partners
Jandi Smith Turner (left) and Debby Stroman(right)
keep focused on their non-profit firm that offers
a full spectrum of sports marketing services.
( Read more in the Summer 2005 issue.)
Fore
The Kids Classic
On May 17, 2007 The First Tee of Washington,
DC, held its annual “For The Kids”
classic with special guest and golf legend,
icon
Calvin
Peete in attendance. (L-R) Jimmy Garvin, President,
Langston Legacy Golf Course with Calvin Peete
and Certified Instructor, John H. Coleman, USGTF,
helped the youth to enjoy the day while providing
tips and instruction. (...read more in the Summer
2007 issue.)
First Place winners
of the Inner
City Youth Golfer's Assoc. Scholarship Tournament
are all smiles after their team effort
on May 22 at the Links on Madison Green, Royal
Palm Beach. Fl. (...read
more in the Fall 04 issue.)
Atlanta Chapter
of 100 Black Men
raised more than $150,000 in proceeds during
their annual golf classic at the Golf Club of
Georgia. The fundraiser benefits "Project
Success", a youth initiative aimed at helping
participants develop academic, leadership and
life skills. (...read more in the Summer 2005
issue)
PGA
Pro, Scott Kennedy is an instructor
of Golf Management at Southwestern Wisconsin Technical
College is lucky to be flanked by his Golden
Knights Youth Porgram memebers.The two-day
academy is held in
Milwaukee and sponsored
by the Grace Feelowship Church.
The program provide students and parents with
the rules of golf and evening session on careers
and educational opportunities. (Read more in the
Summer 2005 issue.)
Paula
PearsonTucker
is on the right track towards qualifying to
play for the LPGA Tour and make a name for herself
in golf.
The life that she leads is proof of her determination
to overcome all odds while helping others who
are less fortunate in her community.
(Read more in the Spring 2005 edition.)
Glenn
Pratt owns the Minority Professional
Golf Development Association and says, "African
Americans watch white golfers play on TV, but
they don't compete against them."
Pratt says this was what he was told by his family
and community when he was growing up in Nassau,
Bahamas. By age 20, he was Bahamas Nation Golf
Champion and left to go to th
US to compete in professional golf.
So, he grabbed his favorite golf gear, stuffed
$400 into his pocket and left home to play the
mini-tour circuit in the United States. Today,
the 41-year-old golfer is Founder and President
of the Minority Professional Golf Development
Association (MPGDA) and he is on a mission to
help others compete at the professional level
(...read more in the January 2004 issue)
Steve
Hogan IN MEMORIAM
(April 10, 1953- November 22, 2008)
Miller Park Golf Course - Omaha,Neb.
Steve Hogan, a PGA member since 1997, is head
professional at Miller Park Golf Course in Omaha,
Neb., home of
"Hogan's Junior Golf Heroes," one
of the country's most remarkable inner-city golf
success stories. Hogan, 40, is the first Nebraska
PGA Section member to win the PGA Junior Golf
Leader Award, which is presented to a PGA Professional
who demonstrates leadership in junior golf and
reflects the ideals of those who work with youth.
Hogan, who attended Bellevue (Neb.) College for
two years before turning professional in 1989,
is a two-time (1999, 2002) Section PGA Junior
Golf Leader Award winner. Among the many community
service awards he has received are the 2001 Dr.
Martin Luther King Living the Dream Award and
the 1997 American Institute for Public Service
Jefferson Award. He also received the 2003 Nebraska
Hall of Fame's Dr. Herbert H. Davis Memorial Award.
"When someone asks me where
I went to college, I say The PGA of America,"
said Hogan. "The PGA is my college. Being a golf
professional is an ongoing education. For me to
pass through Business School II was very hard.
Thanks to my wife and kids, who quizzed me as
I was studying, I made it. I have tried to instill
in kids I meet that it is never too late to reach
your dreams. I came off a tractor and I had dreams.
You have to never give up on yourself and never
quit working."
Hogan and his lovely wife, Denett, are the parents
of two children: Steve Jr. and Sierra.
Get to know Buddy
Cooper who has 25 years of teaching
golf under his belt. Cooper started out in Philadelphia,
PA at Cobb's Creek Golf Club, a public 36 hole
venue designed as the "little sister" layout of
the world famous Merion Golf Club in nearby Ardmore,
PA.
Cooper is in the midst of completing
the requirements for the PGA of
America's Class "A" designation and currently
serves as Lead Instructor at the Bronx Golf Center
in New York City. He's also taught at the prestigious
Jim McLean Golf Academy at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.
While there he worked with all levels of golfers,
including local pros and he ran the Junior Golf
Academy for two years.
Prior to moving to New York Cooper was the General
Manager and Head Professional of Freeway Golf
Course in Sicklerville, N.J.-the first 18-hole
venue owned and operated by African-Americans
in the U.S. At Freeway Cooper sharpened his tournament
playing skills under the tutelage of PGA life
member, Bill Bishop-winner of over 70 professional
tournaments.
Renny Roker
You'll have a lot of fun checking out this fellow
golfer. And surprising, he's a cousin of Today
Show weatherman, Al Roker.
Renny is on a mission to provide top quality lessons
and playing time for kids, ages 10-17, at upscale
resorts and golf courses. His Miramar, Florida-based
organization has teams in over 30 cities.
Discover how his program helps kids
with their studies and fosters a professional
attitude while they learn the rules and business
of golf.
More importantly, Teens on the Green works to
insure that all members earn a scholarship to
the college of their choice stemming from their
commitment to the education and experience they
received while participating in the program on
and off the course. (...read more in the Summer
2003 issue.)
Dr.
George Thomas understands why
"It's never too late." According to Dr. Thomas,
president of the Learning Academy which carries
his name. Though his job was too consuming for
him to take up golf, immediately upon his retirement
from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1994,
Thomas, now 74, started taking lessons.
He's cut his handicap down to an
amazing 12. Thomas' academy just hosted its 13th
annual golf tournament in Silver Spring, MD, that
benefits its tutoring and mentoring program for
students of Montgomery County, the George B. Thomas,
Sr. Learning Academy.
Jairus (center) with parents Jerome and Suzanne
Jairus
Gaines
Finding His Heritage and Future in Golf
It was an interview with Tiger Woods and being
asked what he expected to do for the next fifty
years, that pointed Jerome toward golf. Woods’
response was, “Play golf.” That’s
when Jerome bought his son, Jairus, (then 18-months-old)
a plastic golf club and started
taking him to the public golf course to watch
adults play the game.
Last year, Jairus, now seven, placed second
in his home state of Maryland, fifth in Virginia,
and took first place in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
This qualified him to go to the world championships
in North Carolina. He also discovered
that his fourth cousin, a slave in the 1800,
was a caddy and was inducted into the Caddy
Hall of Fame. (...read more in the Summer 2007
issue.)
PGA
of America/Disabled Sports USA
Military Golf Program
For 91 years, The PGA of America has made
it a mission to promote the game of golf and elevate
the role of the professional. On May 17th the
Association took a new step forward to
enrich the lives of the nation’s Wounded
Warriors. The PGA of America/Disabled Sports
USA Military Golf Program laid the foundation
for what officials believe is a new chapter
in connecting golf with those who have served
this country and paid a major sacrifice. As
part of the Association’s initiative,
it has joined the America Supports You team,
a Department of Defense program that highlights
and recognizes citizens’ support for members
of the U.S. Armed Services and their families.
(...read more in the Summer 2007 issue.)
Steve
"The Predator" Monroe
Golfer To WATCH!
Steve has established himself as one of the
nations best Long Drive Champions. His top
10 finish in the 2007 ReMax Long Drive Championship
in Mesquite, Nevada, only reinforces his skill
and talents.
This Clearwater, Florida, resident is certainly
headed for more wins and we predict that Steve
will have a good season in 2008.(...read
more in the Winter/January 2008 issue.)
Hercules
O. Pitts Becomes Owner Of Two Maryland Golf Courses
The Greeks described the mythological “Hercules”
as a man of prodigious size and strength and one
of very great courage. The
Greater Metropolitan Washington Area has its own
“modern day Hercules”.
He
is Hercules O. Pitts, a local Developer and
General Contractor, who has become the State
of Maryland’s only African American 18-hole
golf course owner. He adds his name as another
of the very few minority golf course owners
in the U.S. (...read more in the Winter/Jan.
2007 issue.)
Kennie
Sims
Simms is President of the
West Central Chapter of the North Florida
Section of the PGA. Learn what Sims' plans
for the next two years include.
(...read
more in the Winter 2004 issue.
Connor
Graham
"LOVE AT FIRST PUTT"
While on a family vacation in Hilton Head,
South Carolina, a life changing experience happened
to five-year-old Connor that would change her
families dynamic forever...she discover the
game of golf.
Now, the game has propelled them all to greater
heights in every
aspect
of life and they have another option for how
they spend their 'quality family time.'
She has been names "The Most Improved
Golfer" 2006 Georgetown-Horry Chapter.
She placed 9th at the All-Stars State Championship
at Wescott Plantation Golf Course in Summerville,
SC, and has won several medals from Mutual
of Omaha Drive, Chip and Putt Competitions.
(...read more in the Fall 2007
issue.)
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American Golfer’s Digest (AAGD) "Golfer Profile"
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