NEW YORK, NY (October 30, 2015) Oneda Castillo, a long-standing member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is recognized as Clubfitting Professional of the Year by the African American Golfer’s Digest, the nation’s leading publication for avid Black American Golfers and a PGA of America Diverse Supplier.
Castillo, a native of Akron, Ohio, who was raised in Cleveland (OH) and Buffalo (NY), first got involved in golf at age 30, swinging at a local driving range through the invitation of a friend. Today, the working mother with two children has been married nearly 44-years and has achieved a swath of success in her field obtaining membership status with the USGFT and since 1998 the LPGA.
During her distinguished career, Castillo has won many awards including being voted by her peers, in 2012, as PGA S.E. Section Teacher of the Year. In 2014, she was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame. In April 2015, she was honored as an Epic First…”Woman Who Launched New Dimensions” by The Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and, in October 2015.
“It is an honor to recognize Ms. Castillo with this distinction as our Clubfitting Professional of the Year for 2015,” said Publisher Debert Cook, the only woman to solely own a golf publication focused on African American golf. “Through her numerous achievements, stellar career, strong values and personal determination to serve in the golf industry, she is a role model for men and women alike. I am proud to showcase her on our cover of the Summer 2015 edition of our magazine for all to become aware of her skills and professionalism.”
Castillo has served with the LPGA, headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., for over a decade. She has taught the Golf for Women Clinics around the country and worked as a National Evaluator for most of the time, testing and grading up-and-coming members of the Teaching & Club Professionals Division. In January 2014 she was appointed to the newly formed LPGA Global Education Program. Her involvement also includes serving as Director of Golf for the Women in Golf Foundation (Atlanta, GA), with a focus on youth. Among Ms. Castillo’s other goals is to play golf in all 50 states.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Debert Cook, CMP
Tel: (212) 571-6559
Email: debertcook@aol.com
About The African American Golfer’s Digest:
The African American Golfer’s Digest launched in March 2003 and is located in the financial district of New York City. It is 100% minority-owned and operated and is a woman-owned business and the only golf magazine specifically targeting the African American demographic. Its massive editorial appeal comes from a ‘grass roots’ approach and partnerships generated with more than 300 golf tournaments and events annually around the country. The 40-page, full color, quarterly enjoys a circulation of 20,000 and reaches 80,000 readers nationwide with editorial that focuses on news, tips, information and activities in the ‘soulful’ world of golf, travel features, destinations reviews, course, equipment and product news along with individual profiles. Signature annual travel programs include domestic and international hosted golf excursions to destinations that have included Ghana, West Africa, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and more. Promotional, marketing and advertising opportunities are available in the print edition and online along with customized product sampling, exhibiting and a variety of consumer incentives. A consistent social media presence for the publication is at Facebook and Twitter. The publication is a PGA of America Diverse Supplier and is registered with the National Minority Supplier Development Council with memberships that include the National Minority Business Council, United States Golf Association (USGA), National Golf Foundation, International Network of Golf (ING), and Metropolitan Golf Writers Association. To learn more about the publication visit www.AfricanAmericanGolfersDigest.com
