Malachi Knowles Receives Inaugural I’MAGE Award for His Lasting Impact on Riviera Beach
Malachi Knowles, a longtime community leader and golf advocate in Riviera Beach, Florida, has been honored with the city’s inaugural I’MAGE Award in recognition of his enduring commitment to youth development, education, and the game of golf.
The award was presented during the Legacy Luncheon at Riviera Beach Marina Village, located at 190 E. 13th Street, Riviera Beach, and featured on CBS12 Sports, celebrating Knowles’ longstanding contributions to the community. His work has helped introduce young people to golf while emphasizing the importance of education, mentorship, and personal growth.
Knowles is the founder of Inner City Youth Golfers, an organization established to use golf and education as tools to mentor young people. Through the program, he has worked to make golf more accessible while helping youth develop skills and values that extend well beyond the course.
His commitment to preserving the history and expanding the future of Black golf is also reflected in his founding of the African American Golfers Hall of Fame in 2004. The institution recognizes the achievements and contributions of African American golfers and helps ensure that their stories remain part of the sport’s history.
Knowles’ relationship with golf began in childhood. After returning to Palm Beach County in the 1990s, he began developing youth golf programs in Riviera Beach, building a foundation for the community-centered work that continues today.
His efforts have earned him recognition at the county and state levels. Knowles was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Florida Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2020—honors that reflect his influence both within golf and throughout the broader community.
The inaugural I’MAGE Award adds another milestone to a career focused on service and opportunity. The recognition highlights the importance of individuals who invest their time and energy in strengthening their communities and creating pathways for future generations.
For Knowles, golf has served as more than a sport. It has been a vehicle for mentorship, education, and community connection. His work demonstrates how access to the game can help young people build confidence, learn discipline, and discover new possibilities.
As Riviera Beach celebrates Knowles’ achievements, his legacy continues through the young people he mentors, the history he preserves, and the opportunities he helps create. The inaugural I’MAGE Award recognizes not only his past contributions, but also the continuing impact of his commitment to the community and the game of golf.
