Cletis Dozier of Charlotte, North Carolina had his 2nd Hole-in-One on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Edgewater Golf Club, Lancaster, South Carolina on Hole #4, 129 yards, using a 9 iron TaylorMade Club and Titleist Pro V1 Ball. His playing partners were Larry Gladden, Art Phillips and David Waddell.
St. Petersbug, FL (June 19, 2022) The local Sickle Cell Disease Association (SCDA) of St. Petersburg, Florida joined the National Campaign to raise Sickle Cell awareness in the surrounding community and around the world. Their goal is to build support networks through engagement and collaborations to advocate for access to equal health care services for sickle cell clients. This year commemorates the 50th Year Anniversary of the local St. Petersburg Chapter whose President/Founder is Mary Murph.
On June 22, a Big Brother-Little Brother, Big Sister- Lil Sis Golfing Tournament was held at the St. Petersburg Twin Brooks, a par 3, 9-hole golf course. The golf event was sponsored by the St. Petersburg Golf Club and The Men of Yesterday, Today, and The Future, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring and support services to public schools and community groups.
The outing garnered 20 two-person teams (adult/child 40 participants). The First Tee Program of St. Petersburg provided the host organizations with some enthusiastic kid participants who were paired with adult golfers. One notable golf participant was Rufus “Jabbo” Lewis who is enshrined in the African American Golfers Hall of Fame, West Palm Beach, Fla.
The format for the golf tournament was best ball with the stipulation that the child team member had to make the first putt attempt on every green. The winning score was a 26 with 3 teams tied at 27. Trophies were presented to the top 3 teams and every child participant received a golf medallion. The event raised slightly over $3,000 for the host organization’s sickle cell clients and families. So many positive responses to this golf event were received and plans for next year are in the works.
For more information on the Men of Yesterday, Today and Future visit MOYTF.org. For more information on The Sickle Cell Association of St. Petersburg visit sicklecellstpete.org.
DETROIT (June 30, 2022) – Intersport today announced the men’s field of players committed to compete in THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage. The 36-hole stroke play competition for Black male professional and amateur golfers will be held July 23-24 at Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan. A one-hour TV special about THE JOHN SHIPPEN will air on CBS leading into final-round coverage of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday, July 31.
The winner of the event will earn an exemption into the Rocket Mortgage Classic (July 28–31). Eleven of the 22 men in the field for the 2022 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage are SHIPPEN alumni, including defending champion Tim O’Neal.
THE JOHN SHIPPEN, designed to showcase Black amateur and professional golfers, is named after John Shippen, Jr., who was the first American-born golf professional and also the country’s first Black golf professional. Shippen was bestowed PGA of America membership posthumously in 2009.
To ensure that any financial barriers are removed, THE JOHN SHIPPEN will cover all travel costs (airfare and hotel) for participating players.
“Intersport is thrilled about the men’s field commitments for THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage said Jason Langwell, Executive Vice President of Intersport and Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “THE JOHN SHIPPEN is a vehicle to provide opportunities that can fundamentally increase diversity in golf on a national scale. The strength of this year’s men’s field solidifies our confidence that THE JOHN SHIPPEN is the right platform for these deserving players to compete, and combat the imbalance of access, opportunities and equity for Black golfers that has long existed in the golf industry.”
THE JOHN SHIPPEN NATIONAL GOLF INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY ROCKET MORTAGE
(Players Listed in Alphabetical Order)
MEN’S FIELD
Name / Age / Status / College / Hometown
RYAN ALFORD (25) – Professional (Louisiana Tech) – Shreveport, Louisiana
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– 2022 Farmers Insurance Open (PGA TOUR) participant
– Two-time APGA Champion
DANIEL AUGUSTUS (34) – Professional (Paine College) – Bermuda
– 27 professional wins (eight in 2021)
– Four top 5s & three top 10s in the last nine APGA Tour events
– 2019 qualified for Butterfield Bermuda Championship (PGA TOUR)
– 2012 Bermuda Open champion
AARON BEVERLY (27) – Professional (Sacramento State) – Vallejo, California
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– 2022 Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption (PGA TOUR)
– 2022 PGA Tour Canada (Mackenzie Tour) member
– 2021 APGA Tour Fall Series Finale champion
MARCUS BYRD (24) – Professional (Middle Tennessee State) – Ann Arbor, Michigan
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Champion of APGA TPC Louisiana in 2021 (First start)
– 2020 U.S. Amateur participant
– 2019 Conference USA Player of the Year
KEVIN HALL (39) – Professional (The Ohio State University) – Cincinnati, Ohio
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Won the 2004 Big Ten Championship by 11 shots
– Earned conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2018 season
– Four-time APGA Tour winner
MICHAEL HERRERA (24) – Professional (Riverside City College) – Los Angeles, California
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Two professional wins
– Five professional top 5s
JOE HOOKS (27) – Professional (Wayne State University) – Detroit, Michigan
– 2022 APGA Tour T3 TPC Harding Park
– 2022 APGA Tour T2 TPC Las Vegas
– 2020 seven Top 10s on APGA Tour and 4 Top 5s
CHASE JOHNSON (26) – Professional (Kent State University) – Barberton, Ohio
– Korn Ferry Tour member 2020 and 2021 seasons
– Solo second finish at the 2020 TPC Colorado Championship (Korn Ferry Tour)
– 2017-2018 All American honorable mention
KAMAIU JOHNSON (28) – Professional – Tallahassee, Florida
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Four PGA TOUR starts
– Three-time winner on the APGA Tour
WILLIE MACK III (32) – Professional (Bethune-Cookman University) – Flint, Michigan
– Five PGA TOUR starts
– Four Korn Ferry Tour starts
– Three PGA TOUR Latinoamérica starts
– 70 professional wins
SAMBA NIANG (33) – Professional (Senegal) – Dakar/Senegal
– Senegal’s number one professional
– 23 professional wins in West Africa
TIM O’NEAL (49) – Professional (Jackson State) – Savannah, Georgia
– Champion 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Three-time winner on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica
– Ten-time winner on the APGA Tour
– Qualified for 2016 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay
– 16 collegiate wins
TOKS PEDRO (26) – Professional (Rutgers University) – Bowie, Maryland
– Five professional wins on the Minor League and Moonlight Golf Tours
– Member of the APGA Tour
– First Nigerian citizen to qualify for the U.S. Amateur (2018 at Pebble Beach)
– First Nigerian citizen to qualify for a PGA TOUR-sanctioned tour (PGA TOUR China 2019)
– Captain of the Rutgers golf team
XAVIER PROCTOR (21) – Amateur (Livingstone College) – Shelby, North Carolina
– One collegiate win
– Three college top 5 finishes
QUINN RILEY (22) – Amateur (Duke University) – Minneapolis, Minnesota
– One collegiate win (2022 Stitch Intercollegiate Championship)
– Three collegiate Top 10s
– 2022 Ranked #1 APGA Rankings
– First African-American golfer in Duke University program history
MARCUS SMITH (20) – Amateur (Eastern Michigan) – Temple Hills, Maryland
– One collegiate win
– Two collegiate top 10s
KRISTOPHER STILES (19) – Amateur (San Jose State University) – Palmdale, California
– Two collegiate top 10s
– 2021 Academic All-Mountain West and Mountain West Scholar Athlete.
JOEY STILLS (25) – Professional (University of West Florida) – Orlando, Florida
– Two professional wins
– Finished third in the 2022 APGA Billy Horschel Invitational Championship
– Finished T2 at the 2018 PGA Works Collegiate Championship
TROY TAYLOR II (22) – Amateur (Michigan State) – Westerville, Ohio
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– One collegiate win
– Three collegiate top 5s
TREY VALENTINE (24) – Professional (University of South Florida) – Biloxi, Mississippi
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– Big East Freshman of the Year
– Two collegiate wins
– Five years APGA Player Development Program
EVERETT WHITEN JR. (22) – Amateur (Howard University) – Chesapeake, Virginia
– Two collegiate wins
– Howard record holder for lowest 18- and 54-hole total
– MEAC champions 2022 (two-time All MEAC Team)
WYATT WORTHINGTON (35) – Professional (Methodist University) – Columbus, OH
– 2021 THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational
– 2016 PGA Championship participant (Baltusrol)
– 2022 PGA Championship participant (Southern Hills)
– First African-American to win Ohio Section Championship 2021
– Two APGA top 5s
Intersport collaborated with Woods and Watts Effect to design THE JOHN SHIPPEN as a vehicle to fundamentally increase diversity in golf and to create opportunities for young men and women of color in sports on a national scale.
A National Invitational committee was formed to help lead the recruitment and evaluation of players. The committee consists of more than a dozen leaders who support the advancement of Black golfers and includes coaches from HBCU schools, leaders from golf governing bodies and from men’s and women’s national golf events. The National Invitational committee is responsible for identifying the top Black professional and amateur golfers and recommending that group to the Selection Committee, which includes representatives from Intersport, the PGA TOUR, the LPGA, Woods & Watts Effect, Rocket Mortgage, Meijer and Dow. Any male or female professional or amateur golfer who identifies as Black can also submit their profile to [email protected].
“We are excited to welcome the men who have accepted our invitation to participate in THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage,” said Sommer Woods, Co-Founder of Woods and Watts Effect, Tournament Lead for THE JOHN SHIPPEN and Volunteer Vice Chair of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “We are delighted that THE JOHN SHIPPEN continues to provide these players the access to get to the next level and advance their golf careers in a way that has never existed for them.”
Tim O’Neal won the inaugural THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational presented by Rocket Mortgage in 2021, carding a final-round four-under-par 68 en route to a tournament total five-under-par 139 and a historic victory.
Later this year, THE JOHN SHIPPEN Sports Business Summit will take place to create national awareness and opportunities for high school and college students of color interested in pursuing careers in the business of sports. The summit will take place in person September 23-24 in Detroit.
For updated information on THE JOHN SHIPPEN, please visit www.thejohnshippen.com/and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@TheJohnShippen) and on Twitter (@TheJShippen). For information about sponsorship opportunities or how to get involved, email us at [email protected].
The PGA Tour is robbing fans by preventing LIV Golf participants from playing in PGA Tour events, according to a lawsuit filed in Palm Beach County. The civil lawsuit, filed on behalf of Larry Klayman and against the PGA Tour and its partner, DP World Tour [European Tour], is seeking class-action status and says suspending golfers who play in the LIV tournaments deprives PGA golf fans of seeing some of the best golfers in the world and is “anti-competitive behavior” in a free-market economy, according to the South China Morning Post.
The PGA Tour, with headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, announced it has suspended 17 golfers, including big names such as Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, who played in the rival LIV Tour debut event in London from June 9 to 11 without a conflicting-event exemption.
The lawsuit claims, in part: “Using the phony pretext of Saudi financing of the LIV Golf Tour [as the PGA Tour and DP World Tour also significantly benefit from a huge amount of Saudi and Arab money] these defendants have flagrantly sought, through their anti-competitive actions, to harm Florida consumers who would attend PGA Tour and its admitted partner DP World Tour golfing tournaments, by suspending and fining professional golfers who were formerly on these golf tours, simply because they signed up to play in LIV Golf Tour tournaments and events.”
The Saudi-owned LIV Golf Tour, whose CEO is golf legend Greg Norman, is financed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, an arm of the Saudi Arabian government.
The controversy regarding LIV Golf has been framed by some as the Saudi government’s “sportswashing,” or cleansing via sports, its reputation. The “sportswashing” crowd also accuses LIV Golf members of being active participants in that cleansing.
The LIV Tour is so-called because LIV, in Roman numerals, is 54, the score a golfer would shoot if they birdied every hole of a par-72 course. LIV, or 54, is also the number of holes played during a three-day tournament, which is LIV’s format, as opposed to the four-day format of the PGA Tour.
The LIV Tour played its first of 8 tournament events last week in London and will have four events in the United States.
The LIV Tour’s championship event will be held from October 27 to 30 at Trump National Doral Miami.
It’s just a golf ‘thang” for rapper DaBaby(formerly known as Baby Jesus) who demonstrates his interest in golf durng a putting challenge. The popular vocalist rose to mainstream prominence in 2019 following the release of several mixtapes between 2014 and 2018. The notable songwriter has a net worth of $6 million. His debut studio album, 2019’s “Baby on Baby,” was certified Platinum and reached #7 on the “Billboard” 200 chart, #2 on the Top Rap Albums chart, and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Born born Jonathan Lyndale Kirk on December 22, 1991 in Cleland, Ohio, he was raised in Charlotte, NC.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., June 29, 2022 – Bloodline Golf is pleased to announce the introduction of its new Bloodline T8 Milled mallet putter, the next model in the line of revolutionary stand-up putters.
The T8 has the largest footprint of all Bloodline models and was designed with maximized stability in mind. It was developed in collaboration with German designers who have extensive backgrounds in both the automotive industry and the golf industry. As with all Bloodline putters, the T8 has been used and tested on Tour.
“We’re excited to introduce this new design to our line,” said Brad Adams, Bloodline CEO. “All the putters in our line have been crafted to meet the many demands of tour players as well as golfers of all skill levels. This is no exception. A fun fact I love to share is that the designer of this putter gave it the name T8 because he had 8 one-putts over 9 holes the first time he played with it. What a great endorsement!”
Bloodline putters are trusted by Tour Professionals including Ernie Els and already used to win 5 times on professional tours. All Bloodline putters conform to Rules of Golf.
Bloodline has developed a putter line which includes a high-performance carbon fiber shaft that contributes to the putter’s unique capability to stand up by itself on the green. In designing its putters, the company created an ultralight shaft that does not compromise on feel or flex characteristics and also includes an oversized gripping section built directly into the shaft. This pioneering construction enables Bloodline putters to have an extremely low balance point that helps give more feel and release during the stroke.
The T8 putter features:
All Bloodline putters feature interchangeable/adjustable components. The ability to interchange a variety of shaft/hosel combinations and lengths and lies enables golfers of all levels and putting styles to easily get the proper fit.
The T8 comes standard with a center shafted slant neck hosel and is available in lengths of 32” – 36” with flat, standard and upright lies. $449 MSRP.
For more information about the complete line of Bloodline putters including the T8, Vale Series, and R-Series, please visit www.bloodline.golf.
About Bloodline Golf
Bloodline Golf has set a new standard in putter performance thanks to its patented technology which includes a carbon fiber shaft/grip combination that is unlike any other putter shaft in the world. This is the first stand-up putter technology that has been validated with numerous tour victories.
The Bloodline brand is rooted in three generations of golf industry excellence and is committed to making a lasting impact on the game of golf. The company’s name pays tribute to a golf “bloodline” that includes Vale Adams, an extremely well-respected club professional from Illinois, his son Gary Adams, the founder of Taylor Made Golf, and his grandson Brad Adams, one of the founding members of Odyssey Golf. The legacy continues with Larry Bischmann, who built the team and strategy that launched the super-premium driver shaft, Diamana, which became the winningest driver shaft on the PGA TOUR. Adams and Bischmann joined forces to create the ultimate fusion of design, function, performance and heritage: Bloodline Golf.
| This past Monday, June 27, National Links Trust hosted the second annual Renee Powell Clearview Legacy Benefit at East Potomac. The event honored Renee Powell’s contributions in women’s golf and the history of Clearview Golf Club. In addition to a junior clinic, diversity panel, and golf outing, National Links Trust also presented a $25,000 donation to the Clearview Legacy Foundation — a charitable foundation established in 2001 to preserve the legacy and facilities of Clearview Golf Club for future generations. |
| The Clearview Golf Club was the first golf course in the United States to be built, owned, and operated by an African American. The club was started in 1946, with Bill Powell purchasing the land and working on it in his spare time. It opened to the public and to all races in April 1948. Renee Powell played on the US-based LPGA Tour and is currently head professional at her family’s Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. She was the second African American woman ever to play on the LPGA Tour. ABOUT CLEARVIEW LEGACY FOUNDATION When Renee’s father, Bill Powell, encountered racial discrimination on the golf course after returning home from World War II, he decided to build his own course where everyone would be welcome. In 1946, he established Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. Without access to traditional golf maintenance equipment, Bill began building his course by hand and the original 9 holes opened in 1948. In honor of its 75th year, the Clearview Legacy Foundation began a campaign to endow Clearview and preserve its important role in history. |
Ghana is known worldwide as a football nation despite excelling in other sporting events.
The country’s occasional stellar performances in boxing, for example, have been noteworthy.
But did you know Ghana has a representative on the main professional golf tours in the USA and North America?
Ghanaian Danny List is the only West African playing professional golf at the highest level, the PGA Tour, the world’s premier membership organization for touring professional golfers.
Currently playing his 3rd season on the PGA tours, Danny List grew up in Ghana and had a stellar start to his young career.
Although he started as a football player at age 12, his passion for golf dominated his time. He then received multiple scholarship offers to play college golf in the US, ultimately choosing to attend the University of Washington.
After turning professional at 19, He still carries Ghana’s golfing hopes on his shoulders and is flying high the flag of the Black Star of Africa!
Well, this chapter of Tiger Woods’ life is not going away anytime soon and may well end up being an all-time best seller, as Woods’ former mistress Rachel Uchitel is reportedly working on a tell-all memoir – where she reveal intimate details on her romance with the sports star, despite her previously signing an $8 million NDA promising her silence.
According to Page Six, the nightclub manager, who was linked to the pro golfer in 2009, is gearing up to release an explosive new book with agent David Vigliano.
CARLSBAD, Calif. (KSWB) – A “very pregnant” sea lion crashed an upscale San Diego County golf course Thursday, presenting a unique challenge for rescuers who eventually ushered her back to sea, according to Nexstar Media Wire on june 24.
Workers at Omni La Costa Resort first spotted the animal on the green Thursday morning. That’s some three miles from the coast, though rescuers later noted that the animal came inland via the Batiquitos Lagoon, likely making its on-ground trek “only” a mile or so.
Golf course staff called SeaWorld Animal Rescue, and when program supervisor Jeni Smith and her team arrived, the animal didn’t appear to be in distress or in any immediate danger, she told KSWB.
“She was comfy, cozy on the golf course,” Smith said.
And the animal, which Smith described as “fairly large” and “very pregnant,” didn’t appear terribly concerned about all the fuss.
“She didn’t seem to be too alarmed by us,” Smith said. “She did keep her eye on us, and she was just relaxing on, I think it was the 16th hole, I guess.”
That’s in contrast to a harrowing rescue Smith and her team made earlier this year when a sea lion managed to get onto a busy San Diego freeway.Does California have private beaches?
Still, the SeaWorld team wanted to get the mom-to-be back to her natural habitat quickly and carefully. Smith said it was too far to the lagoon to simply walk along, coaxing the animal back toward the water.
When they tried to approach the sea lion, she started waddling in the wrong direction — and moving pretty fast despite her significant size, Smith said. The rescuers blocked the animal’s path east with their truck and regrouped.
Smith eventually decided to enlist resort employees, giving them a “quick safety briefing” and handing each of them a “shield” — a big sheet of plastic with handles that they could use to block the animal’s path. Rescuers and bewildered golf course workers lined up and created a tunnel of sorts, giving the sea lion a path and guiding it toward the parked rescue truck.
The plan worked, and once the sea lion was safely corralled, the rescue team took off for nearby Carlsbad State Beach. There, a crowd of locals and summer tourists watched the rescue with excitement.
Jim Beatty, President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and Expo Organizer announces Kelly McCammon, as a keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual African American Golf Expo & Forum being held August 27-31 in Charlotte, NC. Kelly will speak on Junior Golf Development and the programs of the Payne Stewart Golf Experiences targeted to underrepresented youth.
Kelly McCammon
Kelly McCammon has over 25 years of combined leadership experience as a commercial real estate developer, business development and strategic planning for small-cap companies and risk assessment asset protection advisor. He has overseen origination, underwriting, capital structure development, fundraising for new opportunities and critical interface with clients. Recently Kelly was the Managing Director at deBary Partners, LLC a private boutique firm specializing in business development and strategic planning for real estate developers and small-cap companies. In addition, a division for risk assessment for business owners for E&O, D&O, liability and risk assessment for human capital regarding retention.
Presently, Kelly merged his firm into Ironhorse Holdings LLC and is a Managing Partner. During Kelly’s entire career he has sourced debt and/or equity for numerous real estate projects as well as small to medium sized companies. Kelly had previously worked as a Managing Director for Holly Real Estate a commercial brokerage, investment, management and development firm in South Florida. Kelly originated and secured over fifty million in equity and the acquisition/development of over four hundred million in real estate assets. Kelly oversaw up to fifty employees including project managers, analysts and accounting staff.
Kelly is a past PGA Golf Professional and still maintains an active Class A PGA membership due to his consulting in the golf industry. Kelly helped Wally Armstrong and Terry Anton with SNAG (Starting New at Golf) raise their original seed money in 2001. Then, Kelly was hired as a business consultant from 2009 to 2014 and grew their coaching system business from 200 golf courses to over 4000 golf courses. In addition, Kelly implemented SNAG into YMCA’s, Camps, Parks and Recs and elementary schools.
Kelly has trained over 1000 golf professionals, PE teachers, park administrators, etc. Kelly has been a managing partner at Ironhorse Holdings, LLC guiding small to mid-cap companies on how to grow and expand their businesses, serving as the interim CEO from June 2018-June 2019 as ShortGolf USA. Kelly created Ironhorse Sport Development, LLC to fill the gap in the golf industry for a strong character program supporting Christian values and the Payne Stewart Family Foundation. Kelly received a BA from the University of Florida at Gainesville in Real Estate. Kelly is active with several non-profit groups and service organizations.
He has a son at Johns Hopkins University and a daughter at the University of Miami Architecture and Design school. He and his wife reside in Brentwood, Tennessee.
ABOUT PAYNE STEWART GOLF EXPERIENCES
Partnering with local churches & community organizations to bring golf learning experiences to new neighborhoods. We create unique spaces to play and learn golf closer to home, allowing greater access to the sport, especially for lower-income and inner-city families. As the best introductory to golf learning program, kids 4-9 will learn the fundamentals of golf and character-building virtues that will create thriving, life-long citizens in sport and life!
As a golf icon & PGA TOUR personality, Payne became one of the game’s most beloved and recognized players. He was known as an entertainer, jokester, and golf fashion icon. However, those closest to him knew him as a family man and a devoted husband and father who was a lot of fun! Payne had a deep and growing faith that shaped him into a legend that continues to inspire well beyond his tragic death in 1999.
Our Payne Stewart Golf Experiences (camps and clinics) press into Payne’s lasting legacy and the importance he placed in his deepening faith, his love of family, and the fun he had with the game of golf.
Faith
Our camps give parents a faith-based, character-building sporting alternative that teaches kids the fundamentals of golf and life.
Family
We strive to introduce more kids and families to the fun of golf by rewriting golf instruction, providing training equipment and techniques, and expanding the locations where golf is played.
Fun
Kids get to experience a fun, games-based golf learning experience while developing basic golf skills through repetitive play, simple games, and multi-sport reinforcement.
ABOUT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN GOLF EXPO AND FORUM
The mission of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum is to promote the game, the business the industry the careers and the opportunities in the $84 Billion golf industry to African Americans.
The objectives of the EXPO are to :
1) Promote economic growth, diversity and inclusion in golf to African Americans and other underrepresented groups
2) Provide a friendly and welcoming environment for golf industry leaders to develop relationships with African Americans who are entrepreneurs, community programmers and golf enthusiasts.
3) Help grow the industry by featuring subject matter experts in learning forums, seminars and networking opportunities
4) Provide funding to grassroots organizations involved in teaching and promoting golf to the African American community.
Register at www.aagolfexpo.com/register-here to attend the EXPO and make your room reservations
FRISCO, Texas (June 7, 2022) – The United States finalized its roster for the 30th PGA Cup, which will be conducted Sept. 12-18, at the Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey, England.
The Americans secured the Llandudno International Trophy in the most recent playing of the PGA Cup, in September 2018, with a historic 14-12 comeback victory over Great Britain & Ireland that featured wins in eight of 10 Sunday singles matches.
The 10-member U.S. Team in the biennial international showcase for PGA Club Professionals was determined through a two-year points system that included the past two PGA Professional Championships and two PGA Championships.
The points race ended with the 2022 PGA Championship held at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The 10-player U.S. contingent will be led by Jesse Mueller, the 2022 PGA Professional Champion. Mueller won the PGA Professional Championship by five strokes at Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, in April, and on Monday, he earned a spot in the field for the 2022 U.S. Open, which will be played at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Mueller will be joined by Alex Beach of Stamford, Connecticut; Frank Bensel Jr. of Jupiter, Florida; Michael Block of Aliso Viejo, California; Larkin Gross of Center Cross, Virginia; Jared Jones of Houston; Ben Polland of Jackson, Wyoming; Omar Uresti of Austin, Texas; Ryan Vermeer of Omaha, Nebraska; and Wyatt Worthington II of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
Uresti, the 2021 PGA Professional Champion, is the most experienced American, having represented the U.S. during the 2015 and 2017 PGA Cups.
The PGA Cup began in 1973, and although the U.S. Team dominated the series early, GB&I has enjoyed a resurgence. The U.S. is 18-7-4 overall, but has not won outright in the United Kingdom since 2009.
“Ours is a team with a vast array of talent and I am incredibly excited to work with our skilled PGA Professionals on retaining the PGA Cup at Foxhills Club & Resort in September,” said PGA Honorary President and U.S. Captain Suzy Whaley of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, who captained the victorious American contingent at the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup in 2019 . “We have an ideal roster balance. Five of our 10 players 一 Alex Beach, Michael Block, Ben Polland, Omar Uresti and Ryan Vermeer 一 have previous PGA Cup experience to lean on and share with the other five that are debuting in the event. We’re certainly aware of the formidable challenge we will face from another talented GB&I squad and the difficulty that comes with winning on foreign soil.”
The first woman elected to serve as an Officer of the PGA of America, PGA Honorary President and PGA Master Professional Suzy Whaley is the President of Golf Nation and the PGA Director of Instruction for the Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The Captain of the Great Britain & Ireland Team will be DJ Russell, with his son, Chris, serving as a vice captain.
The PGA Cup was first played at Pinehurst (North Carolina) Country Club and is an outgrowth of the PGA Professional Championship. Following the format of the Ryder Cup, with match-play competition between the U.S. and Europe, the PGA Cup features the top PGA Club Professionals from both sides of the Atlantic.
