BROOKLYN GOLF SHOW AND THE
MOMENTS OF HISTORY GOLF TOUR
A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
The Darby Foundation And African American Golfer’s Digest
Provide A Weekend of Learning With Golf Industry Legends In Attendance
New York, NY, September 10, 2012— Medgar Evers College (MEC) in Brooklyn, NY opened its doors to host the “MOMENTS OF HISTORY TOUR”, GOLF SHOW, AND EXHIBIT WITH USGA-MUSEUM, a collaboration between the The Darby Foundation and the African American Golfer’s Digest. The first annual event consisted of a series of programs and was held over the weekend of Friday, September 7-Sunday, September 9 attracting 21 exhibitors and more than 400 attendees.
The program kicked-off on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Medgar Evers College located at 1650 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, with its Moments In History Golf Tour and the official ribbon-cutting.
Medgar Evers College President, Dr. William Pollard was proud to host the day-long FREE golf exposition and educational panel session that exposed hundreds of the college’s urban campus students to the opportunities available in golf. Leaders in various sectors of the golf industry were on hand to answer questions from students and provide guidance and information on scholarships and positions available on both sides of the games rope. A panel of 13 industry experts discussed legends of the game and the many benefits of incorporating golf into ones career and lifestyle. (Photo above: Chris Arceneaux with Dr. William Pollard)
The 2-hour session was moderated by Kene Holliday a prolific American character actor of stage, film, and television, best known for his role as Ben Matlock’s original private investigator, Tyler Hudson, on Andy Griffith’s hit television series Matlock. Holliday engaged members of the audience with his brillant wit, anectdotes and passion for playing the game. Collegiate and high school students made up a large portion of the audience.
Panelists included Retired PGA Tour professional Calvin Peete, PGA Champions Tour Player Jim Thorpe,Beverly E. Harrison, J.D., a labor and employment arbitrator/mediator who also serves as a site director for LPGA-USGA Greater Newark Girls Golf, Laura Palker, Board of Directors for the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA), Long Island, NY Chapter, Donovan Gordon, CEO of D. Gordon Consulting, Inc., Jeffrey T. Sammons, PH.D., professor of history at New York University, Eugene “Gene” Mallory, CEO at SG Products, Inc., and past president of the Baychester Golf Club,Bertrand A. Bonnick, DDS, High Point, NC, James Black, retired PGA Tour player, Lee Jones, former NBA Referee, Ginger Howard, LPGA, John Sutter, Professional Golf Teacher, and Hunter Watkins, golf professional at Marine Park Golf Course, Brooklyn (NY).
VIEW EVENT VIDEO
A free outdoor golf exposition followed in the atrium giving golf enthusiasts and novice golfers a hands-on experience with the latest golf clubs and training aids and equipment. Experts included representatives from Adams Golf, Calloway, Golfsmith, Titleist and others. The Darby Foundation Demo Stage featured hourly demonstrations on the Swing, The Rules, The Mental Game and Putting while golf pros provide free 10 minute lessons on the full swing and the short game. GolfSmith provided free $10 gift cards for all attendees and The Discount Pro Shop offered bargains galore on clubs, balls, apparel, shoes and accessories. Symetra Tour golfer Ginger Howard (LPGA) signed autographs and warmly greeted fans throughout the day. Howard was the first African American teen to play in the Junior Ryder Cup and the first teen (then age 16) to grace the cover of the African American Golfer’s Digest.
USGA Museum showcased its “American Champions and Barrier Breakers” exhibition and displayed a golf bag once used by legendary LPGA golfer Althea Gibson. The USGA Museum exhibit honors some of the world’s greatest athletic achievers: Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis and Althea Gibson all who excelled in their respective sports, not only performing competitively at an exceptionally high level, but shattering racial barriers in the process. The exhibit will be on display from Feb. 17, 2012, to Feb. 2014. The exhibit has been developed through the African-American Golf Archive, which was created in 2010 by the United States Golf Association and The PGA of America and is housed in the USGA Museum.
Saturday at Marine Park Golf Course was the site for two private golf clinicsessions (1PM-3PM and 4PM-6PM) featuring golf touring legends Jim Thope, Ginger Howard and James Black. Registered attendees were treated to instruction and tips on game development along with signed autographs and photo opportunities during the day.
On Sunday, September 9th The Darby Foundation held its popular FUN’ RAISER GOLF OUTING at Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx (NY) where players enjoyed 18-holes of competitive golf followed by an evening awards banquet.
Chris Arceneaux, Founder, of The Darby Foundation, a 501(c)3 based in Roosevelt, N.Y conceived the Golf Show over a year ago. Arceneaux is also a Professional Golfer who leads a Youth Enrichment Program and serves as a New York Site Director for the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of Long Island. The Darby Foundation aims to bring golf to communities and schools that are not ordinarily exposed to the wonderful game and is a resource that provides scholarship opportunities for youth. The Foundation is encouraging healthy choices for its participants by incorporating healthy habits and proper nutrition into its programming.
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, has been selected as a 2012 “Top Business” by DiversityBusiness.com. The award is presented to firms that have successfully distinguished themselves in business as leaders and entrepreneurs in the United States.
For more information on the please contact Debert Cook, CMP at (212)471-6559, ext. 11 or email debertcook@aol.com.
