It was a fantastic time at in Orlando, Fla., at this year’s PGA Show for Leroy Stanley (far right), CEO, of comerejoyce.com. As Stanley walked the miles-of-aisles discovering new products and vendors he was surprised to run into Champions Tour Player Jim Thorpe. Thorpe (2nd from right) was visiting the Greenwood Golf exhibit booth along with (l-r) Arthur Johnson, former Cal’s Pals Manager for the late pro golfer Calvin Peete, and Renee Powell, PGA/LPGA, Head Pro at her Clearview Golf Course.
April McCoy is looking to turn her passion for golf into a profession; and that desire is focused on an international scene. Introduced to the game of golf by her dad at age 9 and by the time she entered high school, the volleyball and basketball player took exclusively to playing golf.
She was ranked 31 in the nation for her graduating class of 2011 and ranked number 1 in Texas. She received a full scholarship to Texas Christian University and made history while there, as the first African American to play on the women’s golf team. During her sophomore year in college she won the Windy City Collegiate Classic with scores of 73-72-69.
April went on to graduate with her Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice (fall 2015) and she stepped away from the game for a couple of years to pursue her interest in working for juveniles. April has dreams of incorporating her love for golf with her love in helping guide troubled teens through life.
April knows that it takes hard work to achieve her dreams and she has gained a revived love for the game. Today, she is striving for the LPGA tour. During the off-season, she picked up a job to save for the upcoming golf season, but the ambitious golfer is still short financially. According to her mom, V De Phillips “Any donation to her campaign on GoFundMe is a huge blessing to help her achieve her dreams!” Follow April on her Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/therealaprilmccoy/
Salary: $16.00/hourInternship Dates: May 22, 2023 – July 28, 2023
The Metropolitan Opera Bank of America Internship Program offers paid internship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals. The Met Opera is committed to providing applicants from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to learn about the work behind the scenes to produce grand opera.
The Met Opera strongly encourages applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and a broad range of educational experience who want to learn about working in the arts at one of the largest and most active performing organizations in the world.
Application Deadline: Monday February 13th, 2023 6 PM EST__
Augusta, Georgia resident, professional golfer Jim Dent received the honor of being inducted into The Caddie Hall of Fame in 2022. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the game of golf and society through caddying and using caddying as a steppingstone to professional success, a reception at The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History in Augusta, Georgia, on May 20, 2022, celebrated the occassion.
Dent, age 83, has long participated in the sport and is recognized worldwide for his golfing skills. As a young man he caddied at Augusta National Golf Club and Augusta Country Club, this is where the 6′ 3″ golfer fell in love with the game.
Dent started caddying at the age of 15 and later caddied for major championship winner Bob Rosburg and Masters Champion Bob Goalby. Dent put his close proximity to these great players to use, studying them, their swing, and their game strategy, closely. He gained tremendous insight from the likes of Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead, and applied their swing techniques to his own.
Dent attended his the historically Black Paine College and turned pro in 1966. It was during his regular (under 50) career that he succeeded in becoming a Florida PGA Champion three times.
The induction of Dent highlights the tradition and importance of caddying by recognizing and celebrating individuals who have devoted their lives to the game of golf through caddying or by supporting the role of caddies, or who have used their experiences as a youth caddie as a stepping stone for success.
ABOUT THE CADDIE HALL OF FAME
The Caddie Hall of Fame was created in 1999 by the Professional Caddies Association and founded by Dennis and Laura Cone. The Western Golf Association took over formal administration in 2011. Notable members of the Caddie Hall of Fame include: Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Gene Sarazen, Charles “Chick” Evans, Steve Williams, Jim “Bones” Mackay, Peter Ueberroth and Joe LaCava.
Technology is mostly complicated and filled with jargon that confuses the ordinary man. Technology experts help people understand all the difficult terms better through online educational discussions that mix fact and opinion. The Twitter Space session entitled the “DNA of BSV” does just this, where blockchain professionals talk about developments on the BSV blockchain.
DNA of BSV is headed by blockchain research and development firm nChain CEO Christen Ager-Hanssen. For the December 12 session, he spoke with Integrity Lab founder and Harvard Business School professor Eugene Soltes, Elas CEO Brendan Lee, and record producer and mixologist E. Smitty.
Each expert talked about their respective takes about the different aspects of the BSV blockchain, but they all arrived at one conclusion—the interests, experiences, passion and hard work of people working in the BSV ecosystem make up the true DNA of BSV.
Soltes believes ‘irresponsibility’ leads to failure in tech
Integrity, passion, hard work and ethics are the defining aspects of a game-changing innovation. Professor Eugene Soltes discussed the difference between people who work with blockchain to get rich quickly and unethically as opposed to those who wish to use it to actually build a better world.
Soltes explained this in the context of the recent FTX collapse, where he says “leaders always signaled their altruistic desires, but seemed driven more by greed to make tons of money through speculation and questionable business practices.”
He concludes that it is “irresponsible innovation” that drives the twisted world of FTX and Theranos, which is another healthcare tech startup that failed due to fraud. In contrast to these fallen tech leaders, Soltes says that responsible innovators are the ones who can “keep their focus on what they originally wanted to achieve without being blinded by fame and wealth along the way.”
Lee believes blockchain’s current learning materials have ‘wrong focuses’
Brendan Lee, the founder for the digital consultancy firm Elas, took a stance for better blockchain education as the current ways need work. He is ironically “amazed on the volume of educational materials,” as these all “focus on the wrong aspects and are irrelevant to the way people need to work.”
“Blockchain education is all looking at how to make a token, how to trade, how to read
chart trends, and all these kinds of stuffs that is totally irrelevant to the actual potential
that is present here [in blockchain],” said Lee.
One BSV blockchain advocate, named Sirtoshi, addresses Lee’s point as he defends Bitcoin with the fundamentals on what Bitcoin is, and how it can change the world. Known for his devoutness for Bitcoin on Streamsanity and Medium, he believes that there is a real gap between what people think Bitcoin is, and what it actually is.
Ager-Hanssen concludes the session with the sentiment that showcasing innovative ideas and sharing advice is the best way to develop the blockchain industry. With the help of what they believe what composes the true DNA of BSV—interests, experiences, passion and hard work, fighting for the innate capabilities of the BSV blockchain can rouse the spirits of advocates to better impact the world with practical technology.
The Obama Foundation is excited to announce the launch of applications for the Voyager Scholarship, The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service. Funded by a $100 million personal contribution from Airbnb Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky to the Obama Foundation, the Voyager Scholarship provides college students with last-dollar financial aid to help alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them throughout their careers.
The two-year scholarship program for U.S.-based students in their junior and senior years of college offers unique opportunities for those who are committed to pursuing careers that serve the public and their communities. Please take a moment to learn more about the Voyager Scholarship.
Applications are now open until Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 3:00 PM CT.
Undergraduate students entering their junior year of college in Fall 2023 at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States are encouraged to apply. Students from two-year and four-year colleges are eligible.From up to $50,000 in financial aid for “last dollar” expenses, to a $10,000 stipend and Airbnb credit for a work-travel Summer Voyage, and a Fall Summit to meet up with their fellow Voyagers and the broader Obama Foundation community.
The Voyager Scholarship includes:
Apply now.
Applications close on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 3:00 PM CT.
First and foremost we thank Dr. Tony Evans for welcoming women to The Golf Club of Dallas for our Women’s Meet & Greet on February 4.
Dr. Tony Evans, Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship joins Dr. Renee Powell as an African American in the United States that OWN a golf course … there are a few Blacks that manage golf courses but to OWN is rare and special!
Renee Powell is more than a golf course owner she is Head Pro at her Clearview Golf Course in East Canton, Ohio. Renee is also only the second African American female to play on the LPGA Tour. Althea Gibson was the first; thanks to these icons for paving the way!
We want to thank Rev. Dr. Sheron C Patterson for taking time out of her busy schedule to bless our meeting with a powerful prayer and to remind us that Dr. Lois Evans was the reason we were welcome to the Club that once denied us access! It was such an honor for me to give the women attending the meeting a brief history lesson and pay tribute to Dr. Lois Evans who inspired Dr. Tony Evans to purchase the Golf Club of Dallas!
Dr. Lois Evans’ sweet spirit was definitely in the room and in her spirit of excellence we were able to set future goals that we are certain would make her proud!
Women from different organizations, clubs, businesses and all walks of life came together in unity to support each others initiatives in the wonderful world of golf. We believe we are only as strong as our weakest link —though we are independently run we are still strong as one.
As Sister’s Across America our goal 2023 is to support three young women with access, resources, and opportunity who are entering into the professional arena of golf as Tour players!
Sister’s Across America Inc. was formed in 2006, consisting of golfers and non-golfers who are bound by the passion for our mission and purpose to financially support and mentor young minority women aspiring to play on the LPGA Tour.
Sincere thanks to Everyone who attended this meeting. Please stay tuned for upcoming events, dates and information.
Remember “Life can Make You Bitter or Make You Better,” depends on how you choose to live it…for every NO in your life, turn that NO around to ON and “Keep ON Keeping ON!”
I knew beforehand not to bring my golf clubs, shoes and balls to this aquatic West African village, which is the largest water village in Benin. The weather was 87-degrees with clear skies and low wind, perfect for playing a round of golf, but there was just way too much water hazard to do so –LOL. But, enjoy Cotonou, Benin for everything else, like fishing, boating, birdwatching, delicious foods, touring museums, and their very popular annual VooDoo (Vodoun) festival, a public holiday in Benin that celebrates culture and the nation’s history surrounding the West African religion of Vodoun.
Check out our Calendar of events at AfricanAmericanGolfersDigest.com for the annual trip to Benin, and yes, we will play golf in Benin, just not at Ganvie Lake Village (ha, ha).
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL to stay updated on African American Golfer’s Digest events, trips and activities.
CHARLOTTE, NC – February 6, 2023 – On January 25, 2023, Greenwood GOLF welcomed attendees of the 70th Annual PGA Show to its booth (#2912). As one of a few Black owned golf company exhibitors, Greenwood GOLF was excited to present it signature Greenwood GOLF ball, apparel and accessories. The company earned its space at the show by winning the “Share Your Story” competition presented by Jim Beatty Golf Ventures at the African American Golf Expo and Forum and Reed Exhibitions.
The competition was open to exhibitors of the 2nd Annual African American Golf Expo and Forum. Each exhibitor was invited to submit a three-minute video sharing their story on why they started their business, their struggles and opportunities.
When asked about being an exhibitor at the PGA Show, CEO and Founder, Chris Word stated, “As a golfer and a business owner, I was overwhelmed with the size of the PGA Show. When setting up, we felt like goldfish in an ocean of opportunity. However, from Day 1, it was our goal to make our mark on the PGA Show. And I believe we did.”
Greenwood GOLF continues to push the envelope of possibility for minority owned businesses in the golf industry. In a few short years, the company launched its signature Greenwood GOLF ball, noted as the first Black owned golf ball in the industry, added gloves, apparel and accessories to its product catalog, listed it products on WalMart.com and Amazon, and exhibited at the 70th Annual PGA Show. In an industry that is estimated to be greater than $90 billion, where only 3-5% of golfers are African American, the progress of Greenwood GOLF is groundbreaking and impressive.
When asked about the highlight of the PGA Show, Chris Word stated, “I had the opportunity of taking a picture with Renee Powell, the second African American woman ever to play on the LPGA Tour, and Jim Thorpe, an African American professional golfer, currently playing on the Champions Tour. Both of them visited our booth. When I think about the struggles that each of them experienced throughout their golf careers, in order for me to have the opportunity to play golf today, let alone create a golf equipment and apparel company, i am humbled and honored to share that moment in time with them.”
About Greenwood GOLF
Paying homage to history, Greenwood GOLF recognizes the similarity between the successful community of
passionate golfers and the success of the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 2021 to celebrate
and promote diversity in the game of GOLF. Our products are designed to not only for quality and performance
but to also represent more than the game.
Whether you are on the golf course, in your career, or working the community, Greenwood GOLF believes that
every shot is rooted in the hope that it is the one. Our customers work hard to mak
The newest addition to the team at Sundance Golf Course in Buckeye, Ariz., is Sean Colebook, Sr. Sean started his new position on February 1 and is now learning every aspect of the course, where he eventually hopes to be their tournament director.
“I handle everything from Cart barn to Pro Shop,” says Sean who reports to course Head Pro Thom Harrison. Harrison was impressed with how Sean managed a tournament at the course and extended the job opportunity.
The Suprise, Ariz., resident, 53, plays at a 1.6 handicap and says, “I’ve been around golf for over 47-years. Golf is my passion in life. When you love what you do, you do what you love, it is not work.”
Not only is Sean’s role at the course fulfilling a personal passion but is also a great opportunity for him to bring his Desert Mashie Junior Golf program to the facility. He has spent the last 6-years till present serving as Tournament Director/Junior Golf Director for Desert Mashie and 12-years in sales with Home Depot.
“Sundance Golf Course is a fast-growing community and has beautiful views. I am blessed to be starting the next chapter of my life doing what I truly love.”
Joe Louis was a professional boxer in the 1930s and 1940s who was widely considered to be the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. He was known as the “Brown Bomber” and was a cultural icon of the era. He was also an avid golfer, playing in many tournaments and even owning a golf course in Detroit. He once said, “Golf is a game of power, finesse, and concentration.” The Golf Channel presents his video of his courage and determination and how he helped change golf forever.
The Kwame Foundation and HBCU Lincoln University have come together for a historic partnership to improve men’s and women’s golf programs and increase access to the sport. Kwame Foundation’s multi-year commitment was launched with extensive renovations to the university’s golf facility.
Founded in 1866, Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri is one of the oldest historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States and is the only HBCU in the state with both men’s and women’s golf programs.
Watch the video below to see the priceless reactions and student enthusiasm at last week’s unveiling of the KWAME Foundation Golf Center at Jason Gymnasium. Lincoln.
