Jim Beatty is a powerhouse in the world of golf, a visionary leader whose influence extends well beyond the fairway. As the Founder and President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures, a golf management and consulting firm, he has spent decades creating pathways for greater diversity, opportunity, and access within the sport. His efforts have helped reshape the golf industry by focusing on inclusion and grassroots development.
On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 6:30pm ET to 7:15pm ET, Jim will share his personal and professional journey during a special interview session hosted by Opus Organization Inc. This Zoom event promises to be an engaging conversation filled with insight, mentorship, and inspiration. It’s part of Opus’s mission to connect diverse professionals and business owners through storytelling that fosters connection, growth, and opportunity.
Participants can look forward to lively discussions about trends in the golf industry, lessons from Jim’s extensive career, and the chance to engage directly with him through Q&A. It’s a rare opportunity to hear from someone whose work has touched every corner of the golf world and whose vision continues to shape the future of the game.
Jim wears many hats. He serves as the Executive Editor of the African American Golfer’s Digest, one of the country’s premier golf publications, and sits on its Editorial Advisory Board. Through this platform, he helps spotlight Black golfers, businesses, and leaders, while addressing issues that affect their place in the game. His editorial leadership has given voice to many stories that might otherwise go untold, fostering a deeper connection between golf and the broader African American community.
Perhaps most notably, Jim is the founder of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum. This annual gathering brings together individuals from all parts of the golf industry to network, collaborate, and advance equity and inclusion. The EXPO serves as a hub for education, business opportunities, and community engagement. It exemplifies Jim’s deep belief in the power of golf not just as a sport, but as a vehicle for economic development and empowerment.
Jim also plays a crucial role in philanthropy and youth development. As a founding member of the Grassroots Grants Program Committee, he has helped direct millions of dollars in funding to community-based golf organizations across the United States. These grants have supported programming for underrepresented youth, built facilities, and expanded access to the game in places where it’s needed most.
His influence can be seen across many organizations. He is the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the National Association of Black Golf Merchandisers in Omaha, Nebraska. He serves on the Board of Directors for the National Golf Player Development Foundation in Gilbert, Arizona, and for Swing Pals in Durham, North Carolina. Jim is also a member of the Semi-Centennial Commission of the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida, and serves on the Board of the Ted Rhodes Foundation in Chicago, Illinois. His advisory roles extend to the Jackson Park Golf Association in Chicago and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America in Lawrence, Kansas.
Jim’s past leadership includes serving as Chairman of the Recreational Play Subcommittee of the World Golf Foundation and as a board member of Hogan Junior Golf Heroes in Omaha. Each role underscores his lifelong dedication to ensuring that golf is inclusive, accessible, and connected to the communities it serves.
At its core, Jim Beatty’s story is about lifting others up—through mentorship, through access, and through the powerful connections that golf can create.
