Jim Beatty, president of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and Founder of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum announced that former World Golf Foundation CEO, Steve Mona will receive the prestigious Jerry Tarde Courage Award.
Steve will be recognized on Thursday, January 23 at 11:30 a.m. in room W206 at the Orange County Convention Center during the EXPO which is being held coincident with the PGA Show.
Throughout his 30 years in the golf industry Steve has been a leader and pioneer in leading initiatives regarding Diversity and Equality. Golf Digest magazine has recognized him as one of the “Most Powerful People in Golf.”
Steve currently serves as Senior Advisor to the American Golf Industry Coalition as well as Director of Governance & Leadership with Club Benchmarking. Steve’s leadership roles in the industry have included:
• Executive Director – We Are Golf
• CEO – World Golf Foundation where he was responsible for performance of World Golf Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that serves as the umbrella organization of The First Tee, the World Golf Hall of Fame and Golf 20/20.
• CEO – Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
• Executive Director- Georgia State Golf Association
• Steve is also a 2021 inductee into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame.
The National Black Hall of Fame was founded in 1986 and celebrates and honors exemplary achievements of Blacks in the golf industry. The organization also recognizes business and community leaders, regardless of race or ethnicity who ensure Blacks are presented opportunities to participate in any facet of golf.
About The Jerry Tarde Courage Award
The award was instituted by the African American Golf EXPO and Forum in 2023 and is named in honor of Jerry Tarde Editor-in-Chief of Golf Digest. Jerry has played a significant role in moving the golf industry toward a more inclusive environment for many years His efforts have served as an inspiration for others to pursue equality at all times regardless of popular or prevailing opinions. Past recipients of the Jerry Tarde Award are former PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem and Jim Awtrey who was the first CEO of the PGA of America.
About the EXPO
The mission of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum is to promote the game, the business, the industry, the careers and the opportunities in golf for African Americans and to grow the game.
The objectives are to promote economic growth, diversity and inclusion in golf for African Americans and other underrepresented groups. The EXPO provides a friendly and welcoming environment for golf industry leaders to develop relationships with African American and other underrepresented entrepreneurs, community programmers, and golf enthusiasts.
The EXPO helps grow golf and the industry by featuring subject matter experts in learning forums, seminars and networking opportunities. The EXPO was founded in 2021 by Jim Beatty and has been held in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Louisville, KY, Palm Beach, FL and is celebrating its 5th year anniversary in Orlando coincident with the PGA Show. Registration for the African American Golf Expo & Forum is available at https://aagolfexpo.com/registration
