AAGD National Black Golf Month

New York, NY, April 14, 2011—The African American Golfer’s Digest, the nations leading print publication and online portal for avid black golfers and a PGA of America Diverse Supplier, is off to a rousing start and receiving wide-spread support for its National Black Golf Month campaign. The initiative spans the entire month of April and is designed to ignite interest and participation in golf among African Americans by providing free golf programs and events across the country.

The African American Golfer’s Digest announced the collaborative campaign last August, openly inviting golf clubs, organizations, and industry and community leaders nationwide to help propel the effort in raising awareness of the game and its many benefits among African Americans.  In response, several U.S. mayors have declared their support by proclaiming a “National Black Golf Month” and “National Black Golf Month Day” for their respective cities including: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (New York, NY); Mayor Mayor Kasim Reed (Atlanta, GA); Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. (Birmingham, AL); Mayor Jim Suttle (Omaha, NE) and Mayor Buddy Dyer (Orlando, FL).  Others are also expected to join the campaign throughout the month. A resolution was also introduced into the Louisiana Legislature by Senator Karen Carter Peterson.

“I am excited about the overwhelming response we’ve received and, moreover, it’s just wonderful to hear so many people say they have been waiting for an opportunity like this,” said Debert Cook, CMP, publisher of the 8-year-old, national quarterly from her lower Manhattan (NY) office.

According to the National Golf Foundation (NGF) research report, Minority Golf Participation in the U.S, 2010 edition, the estimated number of African American, Asian and Hispanic golfers in the U.S. reported the number of minority golfers in 2009 at 1.4 million African American; 1.1 million Asian; and 3.2 million Hispanic.  A total of 5.7 million minority golfers, or 21% of the total 27.1 million. These same three ethnic groups make up 33% of the total U.S. population. Thus, minorities are under-represented in golf vs. the total population, but not significantly.   In addition, the report states the participation rate for African Americans with incomes under $50,000 is 2.4% vs. 11.0% for those $125,000 or more.

“My desire is to have African Americans throughout our great country exposed to this wonderful game that can be played for a lifetime.  Golf is the fastest growing sport among our demographic and by declaring April as National Black Golf Month we hope to see citizens young and old, in all of our communities and at all income levels become involved in this game that is an $80 billion per year industry.”

“The fact that black people are genuinely concerned about their health today, and seek to engage in activities where they feel accepted and comfortable makes a world of difference in this game.  The impact this is having in our communities is what National Black Golf Month in all about.  We are reaching people this April at the core of black communities—in inner-city schools, churches and at public courses, offering free golf activities to grow their exposure, interest and involvement in the game,” says Cook.

As with any new program, people have been astonished to learn that something like this exists.  “Many organizations have contacted me saying they had no idea there were free golf programs like this being offered; many plan to submit their free April programs to the online calendar and/or to be a part of the effort for 2012 and onwards.  And this is great news,” says Cook.

The campaign’s website carries a listing of outing and events being offered and all programs are FREE for participants.  Some events do require pre-registration, but all of them are complimentary to attendees of any nationality.  The national calendar for National Black Golf Month also carries links to news and photos and is located athttps://www.africanamericangolfersdigest.com/nbgm_calendar2011.html.