“We had a blast…and more!” said Coran James, President of the Black Jewels Ladies Golf Association-Brooklyn (NY) Chapter when asked about her experience at the 4th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Golf Classic Getaway, August 10-11, 2016, that was hosted by the African American Golfer’s Digest. The annual outing garners lots of attention from travelers near and far who have (or seek to) become better acquainted with the Martha’s Vineyard destination. 
“It’s great to have guests with us, here on the Vineyard, enjoying the enormous variety of activities that take place,” says Debert Cook, the getaway host, and publisher of the African American Golfer’s Digest. Martha’s Vineyard lies 7 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USA. The population changes dramatically from one season to the next. Martha’s Vineyard has a year-round population of about 15,500 swelling to 115,000 in the summer. Approximately 63% of the Island’s housing stock is second homes for seasonal residents, and an additional 10,000 visitors are coming and going on ferries, in private boats and via air travel every day mid-June through Labor Day.
Yoga on the Beach and swimming at the historic Inkwell
“Each August, when we host our annual Getaway, the temperate climate, diverse festivals, natural beauty and abundance of visitors on the island makes it an excellent spot for networking, mixing-mingling and just pure fun and enjoyment for individuals and families,” says Ms. Cook, whose outing attracts an intimate group of between golfers each year with bringing along a spouse or, couple of non-golfers friends, too.
(left-right) Debert Cook, Danny Glover, Barbara Wilson, Harry Belafonte
“We have a fantastic time, especially at the “All the Way Live!! White Nite” (attire) at our golf awards reception. And I’ve always taken pleasure in making sure that we have some wonderful prizes, giveaway, raffle items, and overstuffed gift bags filled with goodies for all of the registered golfers,” says Cook.
Germaine and Doug Leftridge
This year, prizes included Play-N-Stay packages to Cancun Moon Palace presented by Pebble Beach Resorts, the Dominican Republic and PGA National Resort! Golfers ate, drank and enjoy music on the grass at the popular Lola’s Restaurant and bar located on the island where celebrities abounded, including award winning actor Danny Glover and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Harry Belafonte, and so many others who casually engaged with the golfers.
Debert Cook, Overtta Moore, Jacques Dillard.
Over the past half century, the Vineyard has developed as one of the premier resort and vacation-based destinations in the Northeast. It has utilized its natural beauty and location to capitalize on national changes in demographics and wealth formation. Those changes have provided the economic drivers for the island’s rapid growth in population, housing, job formation, and real estate values. Since 1980, the island’s total wages paid have grown at an inflation-adjusted, compound rate of five percent/year. By comparison, total wages in Massachusetts during this period actually declined by 0.5 percent/year after inflation. During this time, the island has developed two overlapping economies: one to serve the growing population of vacationers and one to serve the year-round population. Registration typically opens around September for the August Getaway and the August 9-10, 2017 program is already underway. 
