ATLANTA, GA — Mark your calendar and prepare to be inspired! On September 13, 2025, the National Black Golf Hall of Fame (NBGHF) returns to Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate its 39th Anniversary Induction Ceremony—and this year’s event promises to be one for the ages.

The energy will be electric as the celebration kicks off at 7:00 p.m., shining a spotlight on groundbreaking leaders whose passion and perseverance have changed the face of golf. The weekend’s events will be hosted by Jeff Dunovant, PGA, Chairman of the NBGHF and son of the late Harold Dunovant, the Hall’s legendary founder and a trailblazer in his own right.

“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,” Jeff shared.

Founded in 1986, the NBGHF is dedicated to honoring the rich legacy of Black excellence in golf—while also uplifting business and community leaders of all backgrounds who create opportunities and open doors across the industry.

This year’s distinguished inductees embody that mission in powerful and personal ways:

• Debert Cook, Founder & CEO of the African American Golfer’s Digest, has built the nation’s leading publication dedicated to the Black golf experience, reaching over 250,000 readers with compelling stories, coverage, and community.
  
• Dr. Michael Cooper, Senior Advisor for HBCU Initiatives for the USGA, has spent decades championing diversity in the game. Known affectionately as “Coop,” his unwavering advocacy has advanced opportunities for countless underrepresented individuals.
  
• The late Carrie Russell, the LPGA’s first Master Professional and an HBCU graduate of Delaware State, turned a shared hobby with her husband into a trailblazing career that left an indelible mark on women’s golf.
  
• Shady Rest Country Club, founded in 1921 in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, will be honored as a historic institution—the first African American-owned golf club in the U.S. It served as a vibrant hub of sport, music, and culture, and stands as a testament to resilience and pride.

This is more than an induction—it’s a celebration of legacy, leadership, and love for the game. Join us in Atlanta for a weekend that honors the past, celebrates the present, and shapes the future of golf.

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.

For tickets or additional information visit https://blackgolfhof.org or call 404-396-5078 or Email: info@blackgolfhof.org.

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