Bringing Greater Awareness and Increasing Rounds Played
at Black-Owned Golf Courses in the U.S.A.
APRIL 25, 2020, NEW YORK, NY
Just in time for the height of the upcoming golf season, the African American Golf Trail Challenge will launch on May 1, 2021. The incentive program, designed and sponsored by the African American Golfer’s Digest, aims to ignite rounds of play and build participation at the four African American-owned golf courses in the U.S.A.
The Challenge is a unique concept and provokes golfers of all persuasions to schedule tee times and play all four of the featured courses within a 3-year period, beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Originally set to complete on April 30, 2021, due to COVID-19 the Challenge is extended for an additional year with the deadline now set for April 30, 2022.
Golfers who complete the Challenge will submit their scorecards (front&back), all together, at one time, to the editors of the magazine for review. Upon acceptance by the editors, those golfers who have succeeded in playing all four courses within the targeted deadline will be rewarded with a beautiful, commemorative “Certificate of Play” by the publication for their support and endurance.
“We are pleased to initiate this public Challenge in an effort to get more golfers onto the greens of some of these fabulous African American-owned golf courses,” said Publisher Debert Cook.” “These magnificent courses—which we have proclaimed as the ‘African American Golf Trail’—span across the Northeast, South, and Mid-West sections of our country. Many golfers may not be aware of these fine destinations where they can tee-up, have fun and support these owners.”
According to 2018 statistics by Golf.com, the number of regulation golf facilities in the U.S. A is 15,014. Of these, 3,670 are private, 11,344 public. The golf course business is on shaky ground and since 2011 there has been a net decline of 737 in total golf facilities. The good news is that just 3 years ago, in 2016, 2.5 million golfers played for the first time, up from 1.5 million in 2011. More potential good news? The number of “latent golfers,” non-golfers interested in playing golf, doubled from 6.4 million to 12.8 million. So, there is business to be had by Black-owned courses, if the public is aware of their existence.
“Although they may be few in number, these properties are beautiful and well-cared for facilities and are proudly independent,” says Ms. Cook. “They are rich in their legacy and history of ownership by African Americans, and moreover, the majority of these owners extend an extra effort to personally meet and greet their visitors and make them feel welcomed.” A genuine act of hospitality that is lacking at many of the top-rated clubs in the country.
“…Just amazing how many courses continue to close each year. It is not an easy business, as you can see with only a few of us,” said Renee Powell, PGA/LPGA, who serves as Head Golf Professional at her Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio.
Cook continued, “These courses also pack in a lot of value for players by offering affordable tee times, refreshments, meals, and beverages along with on-course services such as group and private lessons provided by their golf professionals. I hope golfers everywhere will take on this Challenge to play the African American Golf Trail because this opportunity is a win-win situation for everyone.”
- Play all four of the courses listed below by April 30, 2022
- Send a copy of the scorecard (front&back) postmarked by May 31, 2022 by either of these methods:
– Fax: (212) 571-1943
– Email: editors@africanamericangolfersdigest.com
– HardMail: Attn: Editors, African American Golfer’s Digest, 99 Wall Street, Suite 720, New York, NY 10005
The four golf courses listed on the African American Golf Trail Challenge include:
Clearview Golf Club
Owner: The Powell Family/Renee Powell (PGA/LPGA) Head Golf Professional
8410 Lincoln St SE
East Canton, OH 44730
Phone: (330) 488-04042
Innisbrook Golf Resort
Owner: Sheila Johnson
36750 US Hwy 19 N
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Phone: (727) 942-2000
The Golf Club of Dallas
Owner: Reverend Tony Evans
2200 W Red Bird Lane
Dallas, TX 75232
(214) 333-3595)
Woodridge Golf Club
Owner: Bill Neal
301 Woodridge Drive
Mineral Wells, WV 26150
(304) 489-1800
NOTE: Marlton Golf Course was on this original challenge list, however, it has since closed for renovations and no reopening date can be determined, therefore, if you played Marlton during the start date of this challenge (May 1, 2019) through its closing date, you may still submit your scorecard (back&front) to our editors for acceptance in it being one of the four courses. In replace of Marlton Golf Course, we have now added the newly purchased Golf Club of Dallas that is owned by Reverend Tony Evans.
For questions or to learn more about the African American Golf Trail contact Editors@AfricanAmericanGolfersDigest.com or call (212) 571-6559.
