Richmond, CA (AUGUST 2020)— The Pinkney Foundation (located in Richmond, CA), announces the African American Tour Quest (AATQ) as its newest program, which has begun its operations by developing Black golfers as an effort to increase professional Black golfers representation on the PGA Tour, as well as other professional tours worldwide.
The AATQ was founded by Preston Pinkney, who is also the co-Founder & executive director of The Pinkney Foundation. The program recruits amateur & professional golfers from northern California who aspire to compete in professional tournaments.
The plan is designed to provide practice facilities, access to golf courses, coaches, sports psychologists, fitness trainers & nutrition plans, tournament entry fees, travel & lodging, player management, as well as assisting them in acquiring full-sponsorships from local businesses and major corporations. AATQ is seeking In-Kind, cash donations, and sponsorships to provide financial support—cash donations received by The Pinkney Foundation are used especially to finance the program.
Currently, two Bay Area golfers, Cardell Mike and Adrian Davis are enrolled as the program’s initial participants. Mike was a star member of the Piedmont High School Golf Team in Piedmont, CA, and is now preparing for the PGA’s Player’s Ability Test (to be played at San Jose Municipal Golf Course in September 2020) in-process toward attaining his PGA “Class A” Card. The AATQ is assisting him by paying for his practice rounds, providing a course management coach, and a sports psychologist.
Adrian Davis was the #1 player for the Bishop O’Dowd High School Golf Team in Oakland, CA, and currently competes in amateur tournaments throughout northern California. With assistance from AATQ, he has received an “Amateur Exemption” to play in the Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour (APGA) event on August 30, 2020 at Montebello Country Club in Los Angeles, CA, where he will compete as an amateur in a field that showcases Black professional golfers from across the nation.
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“AATQ has identified numerous challenges and has assembled a team of highly qualified individuals to attack the challenges head on. Our professional development approach turns amateurs into professionals on-and-off the course,” said Pinkney.
AATQ mission is to develop a minimum of 5 PGA/LPGA Tour Playing Professionals in the next 10 years.
The Pinkney Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to serve underprivileged urban youth by providing them with various youth development programs and projects that will assist in developing essential Life Skills in various areas such as Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship, Education, Arts & Humanities, and Recreation. www.thepinkneyfoundation.org
