Golf is an outdoor sport, and playing in the elements is part of the game. At this year’s PGA Show, the annual Demo Day kicked off at the Orange County National Golf Center in Winter Garden, Florida. Vendors, golf professionals, and media were once again reminded of the sport’s unpredictable nature—rain or shine, the game continues.
During my complimentary tour of the 360-degree practice facility, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of African American representation and the smaller number of Asians compared to other demographics. Reflecting back on the 2024 PGA Show, I had the chance to interview several African American entrepreneurs with exceptional products who were thrilled to be part of the event. Their excitement was palpable, but this year, will I see them returning for the same opportunity.
The PGA Show is not an inexpensive venue to attend, so sales are crucial to ensuring continued participation in future events. As I walk the floor this week, I plan to keep an eye out for whether these entrepreneurs have returned and whether we, as a community, are not supporting their products. If so, one has to wonder: Who are they marketing to? This trend is not unique to the PGA Tour; it echoes the struggles faced by athletes like Modality Muthiya from Zambia, who participated in the 2006 U.S. Open, only to be a one-and-done story.
If you want a cause to rally around, consider the lack of funding for underserved youth sports, particularly for transgender and non-binary youth. This generation, the next wave of golfers and athletes, urgently needs support to challenge the mindsets of those who hold the power in industries like golf. These young people—especially those from inner-city environments—aren’t typically exposed to golf as a potential career, but with the right training, they could become college athletes or even academic scholars. This is where organizations like BJAGA LLC are making a difference, identifying and nurturing talent that could change the face of the sport.
While playing in the rain may seem difficult, it’s entirely possible to enjoy the game with the right mindset and preparation, as everyone at the event proved. Despite Florida’s typically sunny reputation, this week brought cooler-than-usual temperatures and rain, yet the spirit of the 2025 PGA Show remained strong. Vendors kept their clubs dry, some even braved wet gloves, and the resilience of everyone present was a testament to the core of golf itself—rain or shine, our youth will persevere.
