National Black Golf Hall of Fame to induct 4 during 39th Annual Anniversary

ATLANTA, GA — On September 13, 2025, the National Black Golf Hall of Fame (NBGHF) will induct its 39th Anniversary Class in Atlanta, Georgia. The induction ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Heading this year’s class is Dr. Michael Cooper, Senior Advisor for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Initiatives for the United States Golf Association (USGA). A passionate advocate for diversifying the game and golf industry, “Coop’’ as he is known, has fought tirelessly for years on behalf of the game’s underrepresented.

The late Carrie Russell, the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s (LPGA) first Master Professional. An HBCU graduate from Delaware State, she took up the game in the 1960s with her husband taking advantage of opportunities to play courses affiliated with the Air Force where her husband was stationed. They enjoyed a shared hobby. She never imagined building an enduring legacy around her love for the game.

Debert Cook, Founder & CEO of the African American Golfer’s Digest, America’s leading print publication and online portal focused on African American golfers. With a circulation over 20,000 and readership over 180,000, the publication covers the best of the African American golf experience.

Finally, the Shady Rest Country Club in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. A historic landmark in African American culture, founded in the 1921, it is the first golf club owned by African Americans. This pioneering institution offered a sanctuary for recreation, social gatherings, and sports, breaking barriers and fostering a strong community spirit. From John Shippen’s remarkable achievements to the vibrant music and entertainment scene, Shady Rest has been a cornerstone of resilience and progress.

The weekend will include events hosted by the NBGHF’s Chairman Jeff Dunovant, PGA. Jeff is the son of the NBGHF’s Founder, the late Harold Dunovant also a PGA member. “My father would be so proud of what has been accomplished from that little idea he had in the early 1980s to recognize Black players and others who have done the most to promote golf in the Black community,” said Jeff Dunovant.

The mission of the National Black Golf Hall of Fame is to celebrate and honor 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. The organization was founded in 1986 by the late Harold Dunovant, the first African American to complete the PGA business school.