FRISCO, Texas (Feb. 26, 2024)Â – Ira Molayo was introduced to golf at seven by his mother at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, Texas. Today, 40 years later, he is a PGA of America Golf Professional, Director of Golf at Cedar Crest and the newly elected Vice President of the Northern Texas PGA Section (NTPGA).
He’s the first Black PGA of America Golf Professional to serve as an Officer (Secretary, Vice President, President) for the NTPGA. He’s in line to become President in 2026.
His focus on and off the course is based upon inclusion.
Molayo started getting more involved in the NTPGA in 2013. He joined the teaching & coaching committee, which led to his involvement in the junior golf, education, awards and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) committees.
“When I got on committees and started working with other PGA of America Members, it made the sport bigger in my head,” Molayo said. “It wasn’t just me and my facility, it was other talented people trying to do the same thing, all because we love golf.”
When he ran for NTPGA Secretary in 2016, he lost.
“I was shocked I lost, because I don’t like losing,” he explained. “When I lost, it was really a good thing because it made me realize that I do love it. I wasn’t doing it because I wanted notoriety, I really enjoyed serving and felt like I had something to contribute.”
After serving three terms as an At-Large Director and working on various committees, Molayo ran again in 2022 and won. After two years as Secretary, he was elected Vice President on February 5, 2024, during the NTPGA Annual Meeting.
“You don’t get elected Secretary, honestly, if your peers don’t see you as President. Those are telling moments in my life. The membership electing me means they see me as an equal, they see me, period. In golf, that hasn’t always been the case. To elect me and give me the opportunity to be a steward in this position, makes me feel included.”
On the course, he’s helping youth in South Dallas learn to play golf, work in golf and earn scholarships to receive higher education.
Molayo’s I AM a Golfer Foundation, was established out of necessity in 2018 to be a catalyst for community renewal and transformation in South Dallas.
In 2015, Cedar Crest had the largest First Tee program in Dallas, working with junior golfers six days a week. Then the First Tee program was moved to nearby Trinity Forest Golf Club, leaving juniors wanting to stay at Cedar Crest in need of help.
“I had kids who could afford to pay for golf instruction and I had a group of kids who couldn’t. I would always use the First Tee program to introduce golf to them. When that didn’t exist, I did not have a way to engage those youth.”
Molayo took action to create his Foundation to provide lessons, clubs and access for those who couldn’t afford golf. It’s grown exponentially ever since.
The Foundation additionally helps preserve Cedar Crest and promotes the game through events like the Dallas Amateur Championship and the Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest—a Black collegiate tournament televised on Golf Channel.
The Foundation’s youth programs have three pillars: I AM a Golfer, I AM an Intern and I AM a Scholar.
Since the Foundation’s inception, over 900 juniors have participated, 115 paid internships have been provided, $300,000 college scholarships have been awarded and over $1 million has been invested in Cedar Crest.
To learn more about Molayo’s career and inclusion efforts, click here.
To learn more about the I Am a Golfer Foundation, click here.
