COVID causes smaller-scale event that still drives big business for those who attend
ORLANDO, Fla. (January 31, 2022) – The 69th PGA Show reunited the global golf industry in person for the first time in two years, Jan. 25-28, in Orlando, Florida. Nearly 15,000 PGA Professionals, golf leaders, industry executives and retailers sourced new products from more than 600 participating brands, attended high-level industry presentations, learned timely business solutions and connected in person with peers and golf leaders to drive forward participation and the business of the sport. The 2022 PGA Show began with Demo & Fitting Day at Orange County National Golf Center (OCN) on Jan. 25 and continued at Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), Jan. 26-28.
Organized in partnership by PGA Golf Exhibitions and the PGA of America, the PGA Show implemented robust health and safety standards to support a responsible industry gathering during ongoing pandemic challenges. While smaller in scale than traditional PGA Shows, the event attracted influential industry executives focused on engaging with manufacturers and one another during a time of strong growth for the sport. Annually the largest annual gathering of the PGA Membership, the PGA Show remains an important connection for PGA Professionals to the golf industry where they can source new products, learn new business strategies and build relationships with peers, manufacturers and other industry leaders.
“It’s incredible to think that we haven’t been together as an industry for two years,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “With what is going on in the golf world, as well as the world itself, for all of us to be back together in Orlando, driving the business of golf forward, is significant. It is a pleasure to have been here promoting not just the PGA of America and PGA Golf Professionals, but also the game of golf.”
PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh added, “”It was great to be back in person at the PGA Show. The energy was great and a real platform to showcase innovative ideas and products, as well as countless learning opportunities for the many PGA Professionals who were able to be here. It made for a very collaborative, social environment and a great reminder of the importance of the golf industry getting together and connecting through an in-person Show.”
The 19th PGA Show Demo & Fitting Day, produced in partnership between the PGA Show and PGA Magazine, began PGA Show Week at OCN in cool temperatures and a light drizzle but didn’t deter industry professionals from experiencing new golf innovations in outdoor golf conditions, while also learning from experts in coaching, clubfitting, fitness and range operations.
The 69th PGA Show opened at OCCC with a special ceremony by the PGA of America, featuring musician Sam Harrop; and an announcement of the Association’s national award recipients, highlighted by PGA Golf Professional of the Year Tom Wildenhaus, PGA Teacher & Coach of the Year Jamie Mulligan and PGA Golf Executive of Year Joe Assell. Following the brief ceremony, attendees entered a reimagined Show floor featuring new products from more than 600 participating brands and multiple new experiential elements. The new PGA Hub, located at the main entrance and center of the Show floor, became a popular meeting spot where PGA Professionals could attend industry presentations, participate in golf coaching demonstrations and contests, see the PGA premier championships trophies up close and connect directly with PGA partners and Association departments. The new Equipment Test Center, featuring a relocated putting green near the indoor driving range and anchored by the Golf Channel broadcast stage, became a popular product testing and networking location at the south end of the exhibit hall. The Fashion Buyer Lounge, home to the annual live fashion show, anchored the north end of the exhibit hall and popular exhibitor pavilions stretched the expanse between the ends, including the New Product Zone, Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion, Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction Pavilion and Stage, Golf Travel Pavilion and Adaptive Golf Center.
More than 600 exhibitors showcased thousands of products and services to attending PGA Professionals and golf buyers resulting in new business and new customers (exhibitor reactions below). Many new innovations caught the interest of reporting media including:
Bridgestone – new Tour B line of golf balls and OTTO the new automated golf ball fitting cart
Sportsbox AI – A 3D motion analysis studio in the palm of your hand
Makefield Putters – driver weighted technology in a flatstick
Shot Scope – PRO LX+ rangefinder with GPS distance and performance tracking technology
Golfzon – new TwoVision simulator
FlightScope – new Mevo+ Pro Package that adds Fusion Tracking
E-Z-GO – new carts using advanced Samsung SDi lithium technology this week.
Motocaddy – new M7 GPS model, the world’s first remote controlled touchscreen caddy
Pub Og – custom-built, mini-Irish pub for golf courses or backyards
Lyle & Scott – new men’s High Summer 22 collection
Kinona – new women’s 2022 Fall and Resort collection
Sunday Golf Bags – short course golf bags
Anatomie – introduced first menswear collection
The 2022 PGA Show also shined a spotlight on new products and talented inventors in the New Product Zone and Inventor’s Spotlight Pavilion. New Product Zone innovations were displayed and judged by a panel of award-winning PGA Professionals and golf buyers. The judging panel selected three overall “Best New Product” Award winners – Alignment Ball Mark, Fireside Tumblers and Oars + Alps.
The Inventors Spotlight pavilion, organized in partnership with the United Inventors Association (UIA), showcased new golf products developed by independent inventors. Products were reviewed by UIA experts and top inventions were presented with one of three awards: Best Marketing to Kelken Enterprises – Incinerator Golf Ball; Best Innovation to Stance Caddy Training Aid; and Best in Show to The RUNNER Putter.
“It was especially gratifying to bring the golf community back together, to see important business taking place on the Show Floor and to feel first-hand the positive energy that came from the reunion,” said PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon. “The cross-industry collaboration on programming resulted in tremendous resources for PGA Professionals to adapt, learn and grow through the increasing demands and rising popularity of the sport. While the PGA Show transformed this year under the challenges of COVID, it became a bridge to help many in the industry drive their business forward in 2022 and beyond.”
A heightened focus on providing solutions to the current business climate was evident through extensive education and industry program opportunities. PGA Show Week included the National Golf Course Owners Association Golf Business Conference, AGM Golf Retail Conference, PGA Education Conference, PGA Hub Industry Stage presentations, PGA Member Business Center workshops, Golf Fitness, Wellness & Instruction Stage sessions, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum, and the National Alliance for Accessible Golf Conference.
More than 500 media professionals attended and reported from the 2022 PGA Show, including several media outlets with studios on the Show floor. Golf Channel interviewed industry leaders and covered more than 60 product innovations during live Golf Today programming. CBS Sports HQ interviewed industry leaders and shared dozens of product innovations during multiple live features each day and SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio network broadcast more than 15 hours from the event. Additionally, SI Golf, PGA.com and Fairways of Life produced extensive content from the Show Floor to share with their engaged golf audiences.
It is easy enough to say “black health matters.” But when we go by the numbers, the extent of poor health among our Black population becomes painfully evident. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), health disparities continue to exist due to poverty, unequal access to care, and unequal representation in medical research. That painful truth was evident to Martin Luther King, Jr., when he said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman because it often results in physical death.” And this inequality goes back hundreds of years.
BLACK HEALTHCARE VERSUS WHITE HEALTHCARE
Throughout American history, healthcare for White Americans has always been shamefully better than that for Black Americans, contributing to a greater number of Blacks with chronic illness and early deaths. If you take the same chronic diseases that White Americans die from as seniors, you will find Black Americans dying of these conditions in their twenties, thirties, and forties. Unfortunately, there are many reasons for this.
Cost
Since costs and/or the lack of health insurance determines if you see a doctor early and often, it is, without a doubt, a major contributor to the problem now faced by African Americans. First, let’s look at the inequality in healthcare insurance. Coverage by health insurance for Blacks at all ages has been persistently lower than that for Whites. Many hourly jobs that Blacks hold do not include health insurance, and lack of coverage is a barrier for receiving health services.
After the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2014, more Black Americans had insurance coverage. However, 30 million people, half of them persons of color, remained uninsured in the United States. Fourteen states, mostly in the South, refused to expand Medicaid, depriving many Blacks of coverage.
The Lack of Local Medical Facilities
In some cases, adequate medical facilities may be far away from Black communities, especially in rural areas. The harsh reality is that many medical care centers and doctors’ offices avoid opening in poorer communities because of economic reasons or perceived safety concerns. While this great divide of medical care may not have been based on racism, it has prevented poorer communities from getting essential services.
Keeping Appointments
For Black hourly workers, keeping a healthcare appointment during a workday is often discouraged or even disallowed by many employers. This is due to the long time it takes to see a doctor. In fact, the average wait time for Black folks is roughly seventy minutes versus fifty-three minutes for Whites. Try explaining that to an employer when you are two hours late. Too often, the result of these negative experiences is to simply avoid seeing a physician.
What occurs is a snowballing effect. The delay in seeing the doctor allows the health condition to get worse, which means more time needed for follow-up appointments, which means more work absences. Meanwhile, the cost of the care increases due to the frequency of visits and more medications. This, in turn, means there may not be enough money to pay the extra costs involved.
Poorer Quality of Health Care
Black people are simply not receiving the fair and impartial healthcare that their White counterparts receive. The American Bar Association has reported that minority persons are less likely than White persons to receive appropriate cardiac care; kidney dialysis or transplants; and the best treatments for stroke, cancer, or AIDS.
Higher Incidence of Chronic Disease
Blacks are at much higher risk for many chronic diseases, yet their ability to have them monitored is far less than Whites. For example, hypertension affects 75 percent of Blacks compared with 55 percent of White men and 40 percent of White women. For the Black community to receive help with this common disorder, their hypertension must be diagnosed early, and their blood pressure monitored regularly. If they receive this diagnosis, their doctor may prescribe blood pressure medicine that effectively lowers blood pressure. But patients must understand that they can dramatically lower their blood pressure by lowering their salt intake, losing weight, and exercising. These lifestyle changes rest on the patient’s shoulders. Like hypertension, obesity and type 2 diabetes also affect many more Blacks than Whites.
Poor Diets
Poor diet—due to bad food choices, poverty, and unhealthy eating traditions (sorry)—are major contributing factors in all the chronic diseases that plague Blacks. While processed foods that are high in sugars, “bad” fats, and salt may taste good, they lack basic nutrients—the very cause of so many common illnesses. Some Blacks cannot afford healthier foods. But if you don’t feed your body well, over time, you are likely to develop a chronic illness.
LIVING HEALTHIER
The good news is that if you adopt a healthier lifestyle, you may be able to lessen or eliminate the need for chronic healthcare interventions such as medications. Let’s be clear about what I mean: I am not saying that you should avoid seeing your physician, getting annual exams, and taking prescribed medications. To the contrary, it’s essential to get annual checkups and follow your doctor’s advice. However, it’s also important to stop doing those things that are drivers of ill health. Type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be. Severe hypertension doesn’t have to be. Most of all, being overweight or obese doesn’t have to be.
There are basic actions you should take to ensure that your body becomes as healthy as God meant it to be! Eat a nutritious diet that provides the proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, “good” fats, and, perhaps, supplements of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, depending on your unique health needs. You will also need to exercise and get adequate sleep.
To achieve good health, you must also change some harmful behaviors. If you are overweight or obese, you need to eat less. Avoid processed foods that are loaded with white flour, too many calories, too much salt, excessive sugar and corn syrup, “bad” fats, and artificial chemicals.
If you smoke, you must stop. You already know that, and on numerous occasions, you may have promised yourself and others to kick the habit. This time, you need to follow through.
You must take advantage of today’s technology to learn as much as you can about your health and how to change it. Then you need to act on that knowledge. The continued belief that change is just too difficult will keep you from reaching your goal of better health and a better life.
Black Health Matters is designed to help every Black person achieve better health, just as I have successfully guided my own patients to greater well-being during my many years as a practicing physician. By following the advice offered in my book, you can turn your life around, feel better—perhaps better than you have in a long time—and enjoy many happy, healthy years to come.
BYLINE: Richard W. Walker, Jr., MD, received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and completed his residency at the University of Michigan. He has served on the faculty of the University of Texas Medical Center, and is the founder and medical director of Walker Health Care Holdings and TVP-Care, PC, Houston-based healthcare companies. In addition to being a published writer, Dr. Walker is a highly sought-after speaker.
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Adapted excerpt from Black Health Matters by Richard W. Walker, Jr., MD © 2021. Used by permission of Square One Publishers, Inc. www.squareonepublishers.com
Through the love for my wife, Wanda, and the desire to share some of the better moments of our marriage over the past 28 years. Whoa!! Slow the pace a few minutes…these years have been full of all kinds of pleasantries and cordiality. The sincere affection and kindness we share is absolutely something to share with others.
As I gather my thoughts and attempt to arrange them, I find myself recalling some of those evenings we spent together after our getting acquainted which was set into motion by a phone call. After several phone conversations, we had a few dinner dates and an occasional movie. Wanda was one who dedicated most of her time to caring for her two beautiful daughters and operating her own calibration engineering business which she seemed to do quite well. Her travels limited our time, but it all continued to work in our favor.
After several months of randomly seeing each other and spending quiet time together, things were not much different than any other couple starting out with a new personal relationship with each other. There were moments of joy, doubt, misunderstanding, and confusion, but it was something special that attracted us to one another. Somewhere in the relationship, we bonded. It grew and today, 27 years later, we are husband and wife. I then moved my residence to Spartanburg, SC, her hometown and where her family resides. The transition was not easy but doable, as time has proven.
After settling in Spartanburg, it began to feel more and more like home. Traveling to Greenville, SC each day for work became routine for several years until 2007 when the company I was working for, Hitachi Electronics, closed. I was able to find work in Spartanburg which thankfully eliminated that daily Greenville commute. New employment was not easy for me, but I made it through to semi-retirement. At first, I missed the daily routine of working in a plant environment, but I was able to overcome that feeling quickly! It felt strange walking away, but I knew it was in my best interest to transition into my “golden years”. My plans were to play golf every day to perfect my game and enjoy life with our families.
Wanda wanted to continue operating her business but from home. In 2009, we modified our home to accommodate her business which successfully lasted until her health began to decline. During our many discussions of common interests, golf and bowling were our top two. We decided to start with golf and if it didn’t work, we’d give bowling a try. The rest is history because we have yet to bowl! Together we enjoyed the times at the practice range that had a short par 3 course on its grounds. For weeks which turned to months, we played that par course in Anderson, SC learning to keep the ball in play so that once we played 18-holes, we would not play slow looking for golf balls.
Wanda Green
We continued to occasionally play with a group from Greenville and eventually joined the group as members. Oh, how we enjoyed our golf club membership and outings! Our four-year membership began with a group named Pin Seekers. Pin Seekers were heavily involved in community activities and sponsorship support of sickle cell anemia. They later sought after enrollees through community churches and groups via a program called First Tees. It had decent success with the assistance of group elders and local golf courses who donated used golf equipment.
Jonathan and Wanda leaving the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina (circa mid-2000’s). “I believe this would have been around the time Wanda’s walking ability slowly started to be noticeable to me. We sat at the 9th hole and watched Harold Varner III, McIlroy, and many others play through. Moments like these are what I enjoyed.” —Jonathan Green
Upon the end of Pin Seekers, we connected with a couple of other clubs in the Greenville area: The Upstate Elite and The Upstate Birdies. Wanda was elected the Recording Secretary for the Upstate Elite and later served as Presiding Officer. Under her leadership, the Upstate Elite successfully thrived until she was diagnosed with diabetes. With her health issues becoming more and more prevalent, we noticed a decline in club participation. It was very concerning to me to see my wife and fellow golfer encounter this ailment after years of actively playing golf. For so many years, golf was our life. We planned trips around golf. We had both discussed and found that common interest that we enjoyed so much and to think about having to waver from the game was detrimental for both of us.
Maintaining our family livelihood, we also dedicated hours to practicing golf from trying to coordinate our alignment with putting and our golf swing. Striking the ball with desired results was more complicated than Wanda and I anticipated. We did not stop. We continued weekend after weekend learning about the thing closely connected to the golf club and our body, the golf grip. We eventually learned how to hold the clubs and the tension required to make a decent slightly controlled full swing. As beginners, we were excited that we now swing with more confidence. I used the interlocking grip and Wanda’s best grip seemed to be the baseball-type golf grip. I tried my best to get her to use the overlap or the interlocking golfer’s grip, but she felt more comfortable and confident with the baseball grip. She played very well with that type of grip and began to have a few pars during our rounds of golf. Man, golfing was really starting to be even more fun and challenging than I ever imagined.
Bouncing forward a few years, she and I played IGA (Interstate Golf Association) tournaments held in Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Florida, and even Arizona where she placed in a flight! Her skills were perfecting, and we really enjoyed the fellowship with other golfers of ALL levels. We have played and earned many flight golf trophies and awards over the 20+ years of amateur golfing.
Wanda readies to tee off at South Carolina Amateur Women Golf Event, Woodfin Ridge Golf Course, Inman, SC (4/14/2013)
As I give thought to some of the events, I cannot help but feel great joy knowing that we both have learned not just about golf, but we have learned to arrange a golf tournament. From finding sponsors, players, and courses to awarding amateur golfers the chance to win great prizes.
Wanda Green media coverage following the Electric City Annual Golf tournament (Anderson, SC )
For many years, a Martin Luther King Memorial Event was held at River Falls Plantation championship golf course located in Duncan, SC. On occasions like celebrating with a tournament for golfers on or near January 17th, special recognition went out to a dear friend of mine, fellow golfer, Michael Vick.
Wanda (left) with a friend while in Charlotte, NC competing at a tournament.
A well-known competitor in the golf circle, we played in MLK annual tournaments that were held all over. Michael eventually moved away, so Wanda and I thought it would be imperative to continue the MLK Day Tournament tradition in our area.
By no means was carrying on in Mr. Vick’s absence an easy task. We gave it our best efforts. Wanda was diligent in taking care of the details for every tournament for a few years. Once participation began to decrease, we found that we were spending a lot of our own money to keep the tradition going. With a saddened heart, we made the decision to end the MLK annual tournaments. There were many reasons for the decline in participation – weather, aging golfers, and other tournaments.
Moving forward, while we were beginning to pars and birdies, which is normal while playing in local events. Improving as we played two or more times per week, I noticed how Wanda was playing better than me! My hard work proved fruitful (laughing). It was me that spent time sorting the basic training for us while helping her as much as possible to correct issues that caught my attention. We BOTH were learning. Some kind of way, there was a reversal in the way I planned things. I had planned to play golf after work and on weekends with the groups we joined over time, while she maintained her career. That role reversal was that I worked longer hours and she had more time to play on weekdays and weekends. She began shooting higher scores and the groups we played with all appeared to play far better than me. I realized it was time for me to step aside and let her shine as I offered encouragement and help keep her motivated.
Wanda continued her great competitiveness and placed well in various tournaments as listed at the ending of this acknowledgment of my sweet wife’s stamina and dedication to the game of golf. She could and did outplay most of the golfers in the events at the time. There is much more that can be said about her journey from start to present as an amateur golfer. But before ending this acknowledgment, I must add that she has been a creditable influence in my life. We’ve let God, our Father in Heaven, guide us and today we are still together. I pray this acknowledgment be witness that through faithfulness of our beliefs and dreams yields positive memories.
View some of the many trophies won by Wanda Green below.
The OMNI Resort at Championsgate in Orlando, Florida will play host to the Jim Thorpe Invitational, February 25-27. The event is an unprecedented opportunity for “Elite Junior Minority Golfers and Professionals from across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean to compete in this signature 36 Hole Tournament,” according to the program materials.
A 19-time winner on the PGA Tour, Thorpe played golf for a magnificent 52-years for a living. While playing professionally, the legendary golfer shares that he was always trying to find a way to level the playing field. Thorpe believes that starting young players early in teaching them the game will help grow the playing field for Black golfers.
“The support and excitement for the Inaugural Jim Thorpe Invitational presented by Coke Florida has been overwhelming. I am extremely grateful for all of the juniors, parents, professionals and sponsors who will be in attendance! Can’t wait to see you all!!! Hurry Up February 25th!!!,” Jim Thorpe said on his Instagram post.
LA JOLLA, CA – With a birdie on the 36th hole at Torrey Pines South Course at APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational®, Patrick Newcomb earned his first APGA Tour victory at a landmark event for the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour which included the Tour’s first ever nationally televised broadcast on GOLF Channel and the largest purse ($100,000) and winner’s check ($30,000) in APGA Tour history.
Newcomb, who qualified for the Farmers Insurance Invitational via his ranking in the 2021 APGA Tour Lexus Cup standings, earned 2022 Korn Ferry Tour status through qualifying school. The 31-year-old flew to San Diego on Thursday following a T40 at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club. Newcomb credits being able to play on the APGA Tour through the pandemic in 2020-2021 for the development and improvement of his game that earned him Korn Ferry Tour status this year.
“That’s one thing that I’ve talked about at other tournaments when they’ve asked me. The opportunity to play, they kept going and we were playing fantastic tracks every week, good talent. I know me and Timmy go way back, me and Tim O’Neal. Willie Mack, we’re good friends, too. A lot of the guys out here, I’ve known them for a long time and it’s good competition. It really kept me going,” Newcomb said. “The guys on the APGA Tour have been great, and have welcomed me with open arms. They had no issues with me coming and playing. It’s been a fantastic atmosphere. What they’re doing is great for guys to grow their game has been fantastic.”
Newcomb started the day with a two-stroke lead after an opening-round 4-under-par on the North Course. On Sunday, tied for the lead with APGA Tour veteran Tim O’Neal as he stepped off the 17th green, Newcomb’s tee shot on the par-5 18th hole sailed right and took a fortunate bounce.
“I drove it fantastic all day long, maybe missed two fairways all day, and then I hit the worst tee ball ever,” said Newcomb, a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. “I actually got a great break; it bounced on the cart path. And I couldn’t get to this green in two, I’m not long enough, got a great break to go for it. It was one of the worst shots I’ve hit in a long time. Honestly, it’s really weird. But I got a great break and it went down the cart path and gave me an extra like 40 yards off the tee.”
With the extra distance, Newcomb decided to go for the green with his second shot, finding the greenside bunker to the left of the traditional Torrey Pines South Course Sunday pin placement. O’Neal laid up and followed with a near perfect approach, leaving him with a birdie putt. Newcomb’s up-and-down combined with O’Neal missing his birdie made Newcomb the first winner of the 2022 APGA Tour season.
After O’Neal, Marcus Byrd finished alone in 3rd at 4-over-par with 2021 APGA Tour Player of the Year and Lexus Cup winner Willie Mack III, Trey Valentine and Kevin Hall all finishing T4.
Byrd, who played alongside Newcomb and O’Neal in the final group, was in contention until a double-bogey on the 16th hole.
“It was a privilege and an honor to be able to play here and playing in these conditions,” said Byrd, 24, who was the 2019 Conference USA Player of the Year. “I can’t thank Farmers and everybody enough for putting on this event, it was an awesome experience. I think it’s good preparation for the goals that we have set and for us to get to the level that we want to get to. I just think it’s a huge benefit to be able to play a golf course like this, learn and do things that you need to do to get better.”
Established in 2010, the APGA Tour is a non-profit organization with the mission to prepare African Americans and other minority golfers to compete and win at the highest level of professional golf, both on tour and in the golf industry. This is accomplished through professional tournaments, career development and mentoring sessions.
Earlier this week, in addition to announcing the purse for the event, Farmers Insurance® announced a five-year extension of its relationship with the Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA) Tour and the renewal of sponsorships for APGA Tour players Kamaiu Johnson and Willie Mack III. The extensions and the announcement of the increased purse support Farmers ongoing commitment to the APGA Tour and its focus on the growth of the game. In 2021 Farmers expanded their relationship with the Advocates Foundation, which focuses on career and wellness youth programs, announced sponsorship of the Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) and added a three-tournament APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Fall Series to the APGA Tour season with events in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Carolyn Suttles, past President of Central Arizona Golf District and Desert Mashie Golf Foundation with Booker Evans,. current President of Desert Mashie Golf Foundation.
During the years of segregation when golf was a restrictive game and most courses were prohibitive or private, a group of ten professional African American men – the Desert Mashie founding fathers – came together and challenged that limitation. The Desert Mashie Golf Club was founded in 1946 as an organization “for all persons interested in golf regardless of race, or ethnicity,” one of the oldest independent clubs in Arizona. They stated the organization did not practice, permit or condone segregation or discrimination in any form because of color, race, creed, religion, national origin or gender orientation in order to foster their love of golf and expand the sport in the community.
The club defined its purpose, commitment and outlined a program for growth, with five objectives established:
1. To provide instructions and clinics for its members
2. To provide organized competition for its members
3. To promote a golf program for youth
4. To promote a program for women
5. To develop better public relations in the total golf community
In 1948, Desert Mashie held its first annual golf tournament and in 1950, Desert Mashie joined the United States Golf Association (USGA). In 1954, Desert Mashie Golf Club became a charter member of the Western States Golf Association (WSGA) whose 30 member clubs span six western states.
A past president, Dr. William “Bill” Dickey, was one of the most decorated servants of the golf industry. Fervently believing in a college education for youth through golf, Dr. Dickey was one of the founders of the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, and in his own BDSA Foundation, distributed over 1,000 scholarships to college-bound minority golfers. An Arizona Golf Updegraff Awardee recognizing his spirit and service, he also was presented with The PGA Distinguished Service Award in 1999, its highest honor.
10 PGA Members selected as emerging leaders to further
the PGA’s commitment to diversity in governance and volunteer leadership
ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2022) – The PGA of America has selected 10 PGA Members for its 2022-’23 PGA LEAD, the program’s seventh cohort. Among those selected is Clay Myers II, PGA, Assistant Golf Professional at The Clubs at Prestonwood Hills, Dallas, Texas (Northern Texas PGA Section).
Clay has played on various tours such as Florida mini tours, Advocates Pro Golf Tour, PGA Tour China, PGA Tour Latin America, and one event on the PGA Tour. He was elected to PGA of America Class A membership in February 2021. “Excited to work with this group for the next 2 years,” Clay said to fans on his Facebook page.
Established in 2016, PGA LEAD is the Association’s leadership development program, created to identify, mentor and develop PGA Members from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds into volunteer leadership positions within Association governance.
Through PGA LEAD, PGA Members are prepared for those positions at the Chapter, Section and National levels. PGA LEAD also helps PGA Members who have a desire to serve and make an impact on nonprofit boards within the communities where they work and live.
This dynamic two-year leadership development program reinforces the PGA of America’s commitment to create a game, workforce and industry supply chain that better mirrors America’s demographics.
Since PGA LEAD’s inception, there have been three Section President’s, one Section Vice President, two Section Secretaries, 16 Section Board Members elected or appointed, 16 Chapter Board Members elected or appointed, as well as 19 PGA LEAD participants selected to serve on National committees.
“We are delighted to see PGA LEAD alumni continue to develop into volunteer leadership positions at the Chapter, Section and National levels of the PGA of America, truly validating the program’s impact,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “Developing a vast array of talent is vital to the growth of our Association and the game overall, and we will continue to take meaningful steps to support programs and initiatives that are as successful as PGA LEAD.”
PGA LEAD is a complement to PGA WORKS – a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce, providing an inclusive pathway through fellowships, internships, scholarships, career exploration days, competitive playing opportunities, emerging leaders programs, talent acquisition practices and recruiting initiatives.
2022-2023 PGA LEAD Class Members
Carly Peters, PGA – Quaker Ridge Golf Club
St. James, New York (Metropolitan New York PGA Section)
Mike Armes, PGA – Pinnacle Country Club
Davenport, Iowa (Iowa PGA Section)
Sarah Pravecek, PGA – Wilderness Ridge Country Club
Omaha, Nebraska (Nebraska PGA Section)
Amberlynn Dorsey, PGA – Players Tour
Dana Point, California (Southern California PGA Section)
Nikki Prichard, PGA – Arrowood Golf Course
Santa Clara, California (Southern California PGA Section)
Nicholas Knee, PGA – Sandia Golf Club
Albuquerque, New Mexico (Sun Country PGA Section)
Clay Myers II, PGA – The Clubs at Prestonwood Hills
Dallas, Texas (Northern Texas PGA Section)
Cody Sinkler, PGA – The Club at Quail Ridge
Three Rivers, Minnesota (South Florida PGA Section)
Chas Holmes, PGA – Yakima Country Club
Yakima, Washington (Pacific Northwest PGA Section)
Jennifer Parker, PGA – Coquille Valley Elks Golf Club
Menifee, California (Pacific Northwest PGA Section)
Show organizers courted by local Black Tourism Advisory Council,
Louisville Tourism and Louisville Sports Commission
Louisville, KY (January 27, 2022) – As Louisville continues to play on the national sports stage, the city recently scored an ace by winning the opportunity to host the African American Golf Expo & Forum (AAGEF) slated for August 25-30, 2023. Louisville will be just the third city to host an estimated 1,000 attendees coming in for the week-long event featuring a golf scramble, golf education sessions, networking events and professional job opportunities in the golf industry – all while exploring Louisville’s destination highlights.
The primary goal of this expo and forum is to cultivate an interest in golf as a sport, along with bringing industry networking, golf business and career opportunities to the typically underserved African American demographic. The show will feature youth clinics, golf exhibits and an expo tradeshow with educational sessions about the sport and business opportunities for African Americans and minority businesses to gain exposure in the $84 billion dollar industry. A key component of the tradeshow will be workforce development through educational sessions and networking focusing on jobs and internships in the golf industry ranging from golf course oversight and turf management to business and marketing opportunities in a career field that’s historically been inaccessible for much of the African American population.
Louisville was awarded this hosting opportunity through the persistence of the Black Tourism Advisory Council (BTAC) member R. Shawn Summerville, Louisville Tourism and the Louisville Sports Commission. Summerville serves on the council and has a leadership role with the local African American Amateur Golfers’ Association (3AGA) – which strives to be a leader in the amateur golf experiences while introducing Louisville’s underserved communities to the industry of golf with the mission of ‘Building Bridges One Round at a Time.’
BTAC was formed in 2020 and is headed by Louisville Tourism President & CEO Cleo Battle to drive intentional inclusivity in the hospitality industry by identifying areas for improvement to attract a diverse mix of convention groups and leisure travelers to the city.
“In November 2020, representatives from 3AGA reached out to us to discuss the opportunity for Louisville to host the AAGEF,” said Louisville Sports Commission President & CEO Karl F. Schmitt Jr. “Working with our partners, it is rewarding to see how quickly we were able to successfully secure this event for Louisville.”
Additionally, Louisville’s hosting bid was aided by multiple community partners whose assistance and pledge of support all factored into expo organizer James Beatty, president of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures’ (JBGV) decision to award the AAGEF to Louisville.
“I have been involved in many site selections and community projects nationally in my career. The persistence, leadership and intentionality of the groups involved in this recruitment process is unparalleled,” said Beatty. “The group was so persuasive that I am adding an additional day for tours to take advantage of the historical, cultural and community assets of Louisville. I will be working closely with all parties to ensure maximum local and national exposure,” he said.
Summerville added, “I am honored to be a part of forward-thinking organizations like the BTAC, JBGV and the 3AGA. We are excited to diversify Louisville’s economy and encourage community renewal and reinvestment. This is more than a golf exhibition – it’s a robust strategy to intentionally expose and empower minority businesses socially and economically to a sports environment that they may not connect with otherwise. Likewise, visitors and world travelers will come to know the true essence of humility and perseverance that resides in the home of The Greatest, Muhammad Ali.”
Said Battle, “we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of AAGEF and plan to take every opportunity to showcase the best our city has to offer, giving these guests many reasons to return to Louisville. Not only does this event represent a financial-economic impact to Louisville, but it also gives us a platform from which to inspire African American travel to our city as we strive to increase annual visitation by Black travelers beyond the current 11% annually. Creating and identifying this type of tourism opportunity is one of the primary reasons BTAC was formed and winning this competitive bid shows we’re on the right track with our diversified and intentional outreach to court minority-focused groups and events.”
Additionally, event organizers anticipate partnering with local community organizations with a pledge by Jim Beatty Golf Ventures that 25% of funds raised in Louisville will be reinvested in the community. The AAGEF is open to the public and information on the 2022 event will be posted on https://aagolfexpo.com with additional updates on the 2023 event coming soon.
Prior to the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open, Tony Finau, Billy Horschel, Joaquin Niemann and other players surprise Kyla and Bella, two students who won an APGA Tour essay contest and were invited to the tournament. Finau spent some time with Kyla during his practice round while other players led clinics through the First Tee of San Diego.
32-year-old Finau seemed to enjoy spending time with the winners and spoke with each of them about their golf interests and future plans. Kyla showcased a wide smile, gleaming with joy when the pro golfer approached her on the course. The lovely ladies took full advantage of the opportunity, scoring photos, autographed memorabilia and lifetime memories of their moment.
At the age of 46, happy-go-lucky crane operator, dreamer, and all-around lovable family man Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) feels it’s time to try his hand at something new. Deciding on a whim that golf is his new calling, the budding sportsman sets his sights on mastering the game. But Maurice is not a man to do things by halves, and in a turn of events that just can’t be made up, he secures a coveted spot in the qualifying round of the 1976 British Open Golf Championship and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.
The sport’s ruling classes went nuclear and banned him for life. Maurice didn’t take it lying down. In a hilarious game of cat-and-mouse, he entered tournaments again – and again, and again – using increasingly ludicrous pseudonyms such as Gene Pacecki, Arnold Palmtree and Count Manfred von Hoffmanstel (more often than not disguised by a Zapata mustache soaked in food dye).
Adapted by Simon Farnaby from his book The Phantom of The Open: Maurice Flitcroft, the World’s Worst Golfer (co-written by Scott Murray), Craig Roberts’ film is a heartfelt celebration of an eternal optimist who never let his sporting inadequacies stand in the way of his dreams.
“I have been insulted, abused, pelted with stones, held up to ridicule, manhandled by police, prosecuted, fined, threatened with violence, and finally physically assaulted. In spite of it all I shall try to succeed as a professional golfer, because that is what I have chosen to do, and no amount of sabre rattling is going to stop me” – Maurice Flitcroft.
Legend to be celebrated with exciting activities dubbed #Roots77
Bob Marley Day is commemorated each year on his birthday, February 6th, with a variety of
activities globally. This year, as part of the 77th birthday celebrations (#ROOTS77), there will be
7 days with 7 main events including: a beach clean-up, a sound clash, music industry seminars,
two art installations, and not just one but 2 concerts.
All activities will showcase various aspects of his legacy under the theme Roots 77. Fans worldwide are invited to join festivities by tuning in to the Live Stream of Bob Marley’s 77th Earthstrong on the Tuff Gong TV YouTube
channel, February 6, 12noon to 7pm.
“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to honor my dad each year — especially in a way that
welcomes fans and well-wishers around the world to share this special occasion with our
family,” states Cedella Marley. “This year is particularly important to us with Jamaica celebrating
its 60th anniversary. The theme we chose, Roots 77, is inspired by the song ‘Roots’ and as we
go back to our roots, we get a chance to explore the growth of Reggae, Rastafari, and
Jamaica.”
“From now until February 4th, the Bob Marley Foundation is accepting entries from young artists
for the juried Roots 77 Art Exhibition that will be on show at the Bob Marley Museum from
February to August,” says Lecia-Gaye Taylor, operations manager and legal counsel for the
Bob Marley Group of Companies. She continues “One of the main attractions of the celebration,
however, is the new Rita Marley: Mystic of a Queen permanent installation at the Museum.”
The Berette S Macaulay-curated exhibition honoring Marley’s widow, family matriarch,
philanthropist, singer-songwriter, cultural shaper, and entrepreneur, the Honourable Dr. Alferita
‘Rita’ Constantia Marley OJ, OD, LITT will be a permanent fixture at the Bob Marley Museum. It
will debut on February 6 with a private viewing by a delegation of government officials,
including the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and other government officials, before opening
to the public on weekdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Another highlight is the Roots 77 Concert: Celebrating the Roots of Marley’s Livity, which
will be broadcast live on SiriusXM from Tuff Gong International Studio on Monday, January
31, at 5pm. This will include performances by Etana, Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica, Gyptian, Bugle,
Black-Am-I, Amanyea, and hosted by legendary MC Tommy Cowan.
Through the Tuff Gong TV YouTube channel, Bob Marley’s 77th Earthday live stream will be
carried on February 6, 12noon – 7pm. The full audio and video of the Roots 77 Concert from
Jamaica to the East Coast and the West Coast of the USA will showcase additional musical
performances by The Marley brothers, Minister Marion Hall, formerly known as queen of the
dancehall, Lady Saw, Sharon Marley, and grandsons Skip Marley, Jo Mersa Marley, and Elijah
Marley.
The birthday live stream on Tuff Gong TV will also feature highlights from the ongoing
celebrations as well as live-action events at the Museum like African drumming; the traditional
blowing of the Abeng; and student performances from Haile Selassie High School, Liguanea
Preparatory, St. Andrew Preparatory School, Revival All Age School, and St. Isaac Basic
School.
For the first of the birthday activities, the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations organized a ‘Back to
our Roots’ Beach Clean-up & Concert on the morning of January 22 to spotlight
environmental consciousness as one facet of the late reggae icon, Bob Marley’s holistic
wellness livity. This project mobilized community members to clean up the beach from 7 Miles to
8 Miles in Bull Bay, St. Thomas and culminated in the Back to our Roots Concert at cultural
landmark, Jamnesia. This show featured performances by Billy Mystic, Micah Shemiah, Earth &
the Fullness, From the Deep, Frogg Boss, and Blacka Lion.
A new and exciting feature of the Bob Marley celebration is the introduction of The 7 Roots of
Marley. Inspired by the 7 pillars of Kwanzaa, the video meditations will explore the reggae
legend’s ideals and gives insight into his natural mystic, well-roundedness, and far-reaching
impact. The short daily meditations will air each day leading into his birthday and will include: 1)
Identity – Jan 30, 2) Food – Jan 31, 3) Creativity – Feb 1, 4) Fitness – Feb 2, 5) Rastafari –
Feb 3, 6) Human Rights – Feb 4, 7) Music – Feb 5.
Julia Vaz, marketing director of the Bob Marley Group of Companies, emphasized the
comprehensive nature of this year’s offerings: “The goal is to provide something for everyone
and to emphasize different aspects of Bob Marley’s guiding beliefs and way of life. We want
people to have a feel of who he was beyond his status as a reggae superstar.”
True to this notion of going back to our roots, the sound clash is a throwback to when Reggae
ruled the dancehalls. ‘Echoes of Sound Systems – When the Two 7’s Clash’ is a
collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports (MCGES) with the
first airing on the Tuff Gong TV birthday live stream, February 6. Billed as the sound clash to
end all sound clashes, it will see sound systems vie for the top prize and bragging rights. This
celebration also forms part of the celebrations for Jamaica’s 60th year of independence and will
air weekly during reggae month (February) on Tuff Gong TV.
As part of the Roots 77 birthday celebrations, the Bob Marley Foundation also looks forward to
conducting a three-part series of Music Industry Seminars on the business of music. In
conjunction with the MCGES, JARIA, and IRIE FM, the Zoom seminars, will be aired live on Irie
FM and Tuff Gong TV from February 1-3, includes:
Tuesday, February 1, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
To Structure or Not to Structure…Recipes for Success.
Guests: Zachary Harding, Ron Young, Carlette Deleon, Lorna Bennett. Moderator: Ka’bu Ma’at
Kheru
Wednesday, February 2, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Reggae in the Digital era… Monetizing social platforms.
Kibwe McGann, Large-Up, Brian Greenspoon. Moderator: DJ Sunshine
Thursday, February 3, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
How are musicians earning money in a pandemic?
Guests: M1, Erik Mendelson (OneOf NFT site)
Moderator: Mutabaruka
Roots 77: Bob Marley’s 77th Earthstrong Celebration would not be complete without the
following activities:
Friday, February 4
“Roots Of A Riddim” Beats Breakdown Workshop at Tuff Gong Studio will focus on music
production and include a feedback session. Hosted by Nonso Amadi, international artist signed
to Universal , it is geared towards emerging music composers, producers and recording artists
in Jamaica.
For more information: [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]
Saturday, February 5, 10:00am – 1:00pm
The Football Is Freedom football clinic at St George’s College is a grassroots initiative to
provide a holistic and safe environment that young girls can learn soccer skills, life lessons, and
foster friendships. The Football is Freedom camp will be overseen by FIFA licensed coaches.
Sunday, February 6, 12noon – 7pm
Live Stream of Bob Marley’s 77th Earthstrong
Tuff Gong TV on youtube
Thank you to our partners the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports (MCGES),
Jamaica 60, Reggae Month, SiriusXM, JARIA, IRIE FM, Marley One, Jamnesia, Courtleigh
Hotel & Suites, Etal Store, and Mama Yashi.
For more information on the #Roots77 birthday activities, stay tuned to the Bob Marley Museum
social pages.