Just wish to say THANK YOU to everyone who sent me birthday greetings on my special day, December 29. Reading all of the messages and listening to all of the calls of love and well-wishes received from family, friends and fans was truly amazing! I thank God for another year around the sun and wish each of you a blessed 2023. —Debert Cook, Publisher AAGD
The 3rd Annual African American Golf Expo & Forum is being held August 19-22, 2023 in Louisville, KY and early bird registration is now open for those who wish to attend this unprecedented exhibition.
Preparations have been underway for months following the huge success of the 2022 Expo that was held in August in Charlotte, NC, and the 2021 EXPO that was held in August in Atlanta/Marietta, Ga. “I am excited about the upcoming Expo in Louisville and want to share all of the good benefits of attending and networking opportunities that are available at the Show,” says Jim Beatty, Founder of the event.
The EXPO is taking place at the Galt House Hotel, Waterfront Plaza, 140 N. 4th Street, Louisville, KY. Special room rates have been negotiated for attendees in need of accommodations. Premier Sponsor of the African American Golf Expo & Forum is Golf Digest.
The African American Golf Expo & Forum is historic and will showcase dozens of exhibitors displaying their products and services. There will also be career and internship opportunities with participation from leading golf companies, and the latest and greatest equipment and accessories where attendees will have the advantage of purchasing products at special prices.
The EXPO will also host workshops led by industry experts with access for face-to-face conversations.
Early bird registration is $99 and valid through June 20, 2023.
Learn more and register at https://aagolfexpo.com
American golfer Scott Stallings’ invite to compete at this year’s Masters took a little longer than expected to arrive after it was sent to another man by the same name.
Invitations were sent to eligible players the week before Christmas, when club chairman Fred Ridley announced the criteria would be unchanged from the previous year. Pro golfer Stallings said he had been checking his mailbox “five times a day” in anticipation of receiving the coveted green envelope when he received an Instagram message via social media from the other Stallings solved the mystery:
“Hi Scott. My name is Scott Stallings as well and I’m from Georgia,” the man wrote.
“My wife’s name is Jennifer too! I received a FedEx today from the Masters inviting me to play in the Masters Tournament April 6-9, 2023. I’m 100% sure this is NOT for me. I play but wow! Nowhere near your level.
“It’s a very nice package complete with everything needed to attend,” he added.
“I think we have some confusion because of our names, our wife’s names and geographical location.”
The man later posted a video showing him mailing the invitation on to the pro golfer while feigning disappointment.
Stallings guesses that the mix-up occurred because he previously had a sports management company that had an office in St. Simons Island. The other man’s condo is next to the office building, and Stallings can only assume the delivery person figured that’s where the invitation belonged.
The 37-year-old pro golfer Stallings is ranked 54th in the world. He is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, his most recent victory came at the Farmers Insurance Open in 2014. His best result at Augusta National came in 2012 when he tied for 27th.
With another year comes the opportunity to commit to playing more rounds and bettering your game. Consider this year as the one in which you will dedicate more time engaging in your favorite activity — and make it your resolve to getting more of your family and friends involved in this game that can be played for a lifetime.
This is the perfect year to share your passion for golf in a variety of ways while encouraging others to be involved. Make it a point to donate more of your personal time and resources to supporting your favorite charity that is helping to diversify this game by attracting more Black Americans to golf’s social and professional ranks.
The most perfect way to celebrate this year is by enjoying the most that this game as to offer. Make an effort to explore golf through travel. Dedicate yourself this year to playing new and exciting courses beyond your regular, annual line-up. And participate with various organizations, locally and across the country, who host fundraisers, tournaments and outings that benefit the greater good of the game by returning a portion, or all of their event funds, to provide academic scholarship and internship opportunities for African American youth and students.
As you begin a New Golf Year, expand your horizons, make a difference and appreciate nature while you satisfy your soul with every swing of the club.
Happy New Year from the team at African American Golfer’s Digest!
The mission of the Institute for Broadening Participation is to increase diversity in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. The organization implements strategies to increase access to STEM education, funding, and careers, with special emphasis on reaching and supporting individuals from underserved communities and underrepresented groups, including underrepresented minorities, women, persons with disabilities, first generation college students, and students from underserved communities.
Paid summer 2023 research programs in stem are available and most offer both a stipend and housing and travel support. Programs range across all STEM disciplines and all areas of the country!
The Institute for Broadening Participation is a 501(c)(3) organization, tax ID #20-1891162. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
But what makes the best golf courses in Michigan? Could it be the beauty? The local area? A course’s architectural presence? What about the course’s difficulty? Do you prefer a more straightforward challenge? Would you like to brag about it? Or do you like hidden gems?
Michigan’s most notable golfing destinations can be all of the above, and the desirables change according to personal preference.
We’ve attempted to keep the above criterion relevant when ranking the top golf courses to visit in Michigan. With that said, let’s tee off with the Bay Harbor Golf Club.
Bay Harbor Golf Club – Bay Harbor
When looking for the most visually stunning golf course in Michigan, you’ll struggle to find a stretch of land more appealing to the eyes than Bay Harbor Golf Club. Residing on the shores of Little Traverse Bay with stunning beauty in every direction you turn, this 27-hole layout comprises three separate nines. Still, visitors shouldn’t miss the Links and the Quarry, our favorites of the three courses available.
Whether you’re looking to play a round of golf as an avid player or just a fan of the game who’d instead use the best Michigan betting apps while taking in the scenery, Bay Harbor is excellent for players and fans alike.
For players, you’ll want to be in your best form. For newcomers who aren’t familiar with the course and regularly struggle to break 90, this course can be challenging with its blind spots. We recommend you stay patient and pack some extra balls because this course should undoubtedly be on your to-do list.
Arcadia Bluffs – Arcadia
Those familiar with the Michigan golf scene will already know of the Arcadia Bluffs, the most famous golf course in the Great Lake State. With that said, most people wonder why it’s the most sought-after golfing location: Playability.
Visitors can enjoy Lake Michigan views, but for players, this links-style course only presents a few holes where the scenic views can be enjoyed. This, however, comprises simple, fun, and pristine golfing conditions for those hitting the course.
Golfers shouldn’t be too underwhelmed because once you reach the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes, you’ll reach Amen Corner – three rounds that will deliver some of the most majestic beauty Michigan has to offer, as well as a challenging part of the course that requires skill and planning.
Threetops – Gaylord
Many will criticize the placement of Threetops on this list, but you won’t find a more entertaining course for players looking to have fun and leave the over-bearing seriousness of the game back home. This course will have you leaving Gaylord with a smile on your face, and every Michigan golfer needs to test its holes at least once.
This one-of-a-kind par-3 course has elevated tee boxes and is incredibly high, some would say too high, but it’s by design. You’ll only manage with two or three clubs with specific elevated slopes that present 100ft drops or bigger. And while smashing a 7-iron from 220 yards seems peculiar, you won’t believe it when you hit the green doing so.
Belvedere Golf Club – Charlevoix
Designed by William Watson in 1925 with a squad of horses and more than 100 men, Belvedere has been a long-standing course in northern Michigan, most known for its simplistic layout, and is one of the first vacation courses in MI.
Eight-time major title holder Tom Watson was known to spend his summertime at this course, and those visiting will instantly understand why. It’s an excellent way to test your skills with tiny, precise greens. And for a course, that’s hosted the Michigan Amateur on forty occasions, who are we to argue?
The Gailes – Oscoda
No, you’re not in Aberdeen, Scotland, or Glasgow, but when playing at The Gailes in Oscoda, you may got lost in its natural beauty and forget you’re playing a round of golf in Michigan.
This links-style course is perfectly groomed and provides the traditions we think of when picturing a classic golf course. From the pot, bunkers, tees, adjoining greens, berms, and hollows, this course ticks all the boxes for players seeking historical convention in their game.
15-time major champion Tiger Woods has credited his late father, Earl Woods, for instilling his mental toughness and the former World No. 1 is using the same tactical mind games to develop his son Charlie‘s mentality. Although little Charlie, born Feb. 8, 2009 is 13-years-old and has yet to beat his father Tiger, Todd Lewis of Golf Channel said last year that Charlie could hit his driver “around 240 yards,” but not quite 250 yet.
Army Veteran Earl Woods was the hero behind the rise of golfing great Tiger Woods. was his father Earl and the American fondly remembers when he first beat his dad on the golf course at the age of 11 – and then never lost to him again.
Earl, a former U.S. Army infantry officer passed away on May 3, 2006, at age 74. Earl was a tough soldier and bravely served two tours in the Vietnam War. He introduced his son Tiger to golf at 2-years-old. By the time Tiger turned 11, Earl played at a handicap of one and Tiger was challenged in each round they played together.
But playing capacity of his father clearly didn’t faze the golfing prodigy. Despite his father’s best efforts, Tiger remarkably tasted success against Earl with a tight match ending with a putt on the 18th separating them, prompting the first appearance of the star’s fist pump celebration.
Tiger says, “The first time I beat my dad I was 11; I was one over through 15 and he was even. I birdied the 16th, we both pared 17 so we were both even par playing on the 18th.”
“We got to the 18th which is a par five. I hit my ball to about 18 to 20 feet (from the hole), he’s about 15 feet. I hoop it and he missed it. People think that I did the fist pump when I make my putt. When he missed his is when I did my first fist pump.”
“I just ran off the green, that’s the kind of battles my dad and I used to have when I was little.”
The following year Tiger broke the score of 70 on a regulation golf course and went on to win the Junior World Championships six times – including on four consecutive occasions between 1988 and 1991.
Woods Jr. burst onto the professional scene winning his first Major, the US Masters, at Augusta in 1997.
All of the team at African American Golfer’s Digest are sending you love and light this Kwanzaa!
Kwanzaa is an annual week-long celebration of African and African American culture, honoring pan-African culture, community and families, and their respective contributions to the world at large. This year, Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26, 2022, and ends on Jan. 1, 2023.
The Kwanzaa holiday honors the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles, of African culture. These are:
Kwanzaa is a fantastic time for reflection, goal-setting and family.
Melabebe is a line of effective plant-based products that address common skincare needs of Melanin-rich skin such as dry skin, eczema related symptoms, hyperpigmentation, protection from dark spots, and scaring. These factors are often found in higher rates among persons of color. The natural, non-toxic ingredients in the product effectively clean, calm and protect the body’s largest organ— the skin.
The Colorado Springs (CO)-based company was founded by Kelli Clifton Ogunsanya, a mom who is on a mission to give your family highly moisturizing skincare products which provide for easy, efficient, and effective use for common skincare needs such as dry skin, eczema related symptoms, hyperpigmentation, and scaring. Products include skin moisturizers, body wash, scratches & scrape repair salve, and others.
Melanin is the pigment that creates skin tone. Every person produces melanin but the levels of concentrations lead to the exact hue and color of our skin and hair color. Melabebe’s ingredients nurture, heal, and protect using products deemed non-toxic by the Environmental Working Group which include Shea Butter, Aloe, honey, jojoba Oil, Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Safflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Beeswax, Water, Xanthan.
Melabebe is perfect for all skin types and shades and is gentle enough for all family members, babies to adults. Learn more and shop at https://www.melabebe.com
Bringing a greater good and increasing diversity in the golf industry are two newly formed entities: Society 61 and the Society 61 Foundation. The visionary and CEO behind the two entities is Krys Fields. The two organizations are bodaciously and intentionally implementing a well thought-out plan to diversify the golf industry.
Society 61 is a clothing brand designed for golfers and combines traditional style with the modern look and feel of today’s best sports materials and fabrics. The line was created to honor pioneers from the past who paved the way for diversity in golf. The Society 61 name pays homage to the barrier breaking “Caucasian-only” clause in golf that was a part of the Pro Golfers Association (PGA) guidelines, Article III Section I, which stated only Caucasian males, 18 and older, were eligible to receive a tour card. The clause was receded in 1961.
African American golfer Charlie Sifford broke that color barrier by receiving his PGA card and opened the door for golfers of all ethnicities to officially compete on the tour. The Society 61 clothing brand, launched in 2021 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of that historic moment. For the coming year, “Twenty twenty-three (2023) is about giving our EFM Junior Golfers the best chance they have to succeed. This means they have the right tools and are very confident when they step on the course to compete,” says Krys Fields.
The Society 61 Foundation supports inner-city youth participating in its Eligible for Membership (EFM) Junior Golf League. “We provide skilled junior golfers with the support needed to advance to the elite level of the sport: life skills; access to professional golf coaches; financial support for elite tournaments; and golf equipment, accessories and clothing” says Jewel Love, a Senior Advisor and Board Member.
The EFM youth golfers also receive access to high-quality golf courses and practice facilities. The flagship league is located at the historic Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles, Calif. In 2023, a second league will be planted at Knollwood Country Club in Los Angeles in addition to a city (yet to be determined) on the east coast. Building a pipeline of more Black and Brown youth on the course and exposed to the entire industry, to understand career possibilities for themselves, is the sweet spot of our model to diversify the industry
Both Society 61 and the Society 61 Foundation aim to build a pipeline that will bring more Black and brown youth on the course and exposed to the entire industry of golf, the opportunities that abound, and help them to understand career possibilities for themselves. Jewel Love says “This is the sweet spot of our model to diversify the industry.”
Society 61 will be at the January 2023 PGA Merchandise Show in the apparel section at booth #5191. To learn more visit http://www.society61.com and https://www.society61.org.
Make Golf Your Thing (MGYT) is a tangible outgrowth of a golf industry-wide focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. With representative voices from all backgrounds, efforts are also ongoing in the areas of education and skill development, talent acquisition, procurement, human resources, youth and adult player development, and marketing/communications.
As the year comes to an end, Make Golf Your Thing’s highlight reel is full. The continued focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion propels initiatives and sparks ideas for next year’s agenda. Make Golf Your Thing championed the following in 2022:
This year’s success could not have been possible without the contributions made by all our sponsors, supporters, and work group members. Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and commitment to this important work. The standard is now set for the new year on the horizon.
Learn more at www.makegolfyourthing.org
Born: September 6, 1942 — Died: December 20, 2022
Roker was born on September 6, 1942, in New York City, New York. He also lived in South Carolina, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico before retiring in Florida. He had acting aspirations from the age of ten. He studied drama, speech and broadcasting at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, earning money as an award-winning D.J. in his spare time.
Renny Roker lived a life defined by passion, perseverance, and purpose—an extraordinary blend of sports, entertainment, and community empowerment. While he found success as an actor, promoter, and record producer, it was his groundbreaking work in sports—particularly golf and BMX racing—that truly cemented his legacy.
Roker became a pioneer in youth development through his visionary program “Teens on the Green,” which introduced golf to Black and underserved youth across the United States. He recognized golf as a gateway to opportunity and character building, using the sport to teach discipline, confidence, and respect. His efforts opened the doors of exclusive golf courses to young people who might never have otherwise set foot on them. Many of his participants went on to earn college golf scholarships and build professional careers in the sport, a testament to his belief that exposure and encouragement could change lives.
Beyond golf, Renny Roker was a trailblazer in the world of cycling. He helped popularize BMX racing in the 1970s and 1980s, promoting major national events and founding Jag BMX, one of the first professional BMX racing teams. His company organized the Jag World Championships, a global event that elevated the sport’s visibility and helped launch the careers of countless young riders. Through his dynamic leadership, BMX became more than an underground sport—it became a movement that celebrated youth, athleticism, and determination.
Roker’s daughter, Sineta Roker, auditioned for American Idol in 2007. Their distant family includes Al Roker, actress Roxie Roker, and performer Lenny Kravitz. Roker’s book Positivity: Your Key To Success, a mix of life advice and memoir, was published in 2015.
Renny Roker’s lifelong mission was to create pathways for young people to succeed in sports and in life. Whether on the fairways of a golf course or the dirt tracks of a BMX arena, he inspired generations to push boundaries and pursue excellence. His name will forever stand as a symbol of inclusion, innovation, and the power of sport to change the world.