We are sad to report that former Middle Atlantic PGA (MAPGA) member Al Green passed away this past Wednesday, (February 16). He was a significant figure in the history of the MAPGA.
Al was born in 1939 in Annapolis. He grew up near the Naval Academy Golf Course and along with his brother and cousins caddied on the USNA course while learning to play the game on “Caddy Day”. Through the years Al continued to develop his self-taught swing and began to compete in Amateur events. Green became a fixture atop leaderboards.
Greens numerous milestones include becoming the first African American club pro in the state of MD. In 1969 he became the Head Golf Professional at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Golf Course and became the first Black allowed membership in the MAPGA in 1971.
During his playing career, he won more than 50 professional events, Al and Lee Elder won the PGA Disney Team Championship in 1975, and Al won MAPGA Senior Championship in 1991. He qualified for and played in three U.S Open tournaments and was also the first Black professional to participate in the PGA’s National Club Pro Championship.
His legacy lives on through his nephew Rodney Green who is a 25 year member of the PGA and currently the General Manager at the Hobbits Glen and Fairway Hills Golf Clubs in Columbia, MD.
MEMORIAL GATHERING
MAR 5. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (ET)
Lasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral Care
814 Bestgate Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
[email protected]
MEMORIAL SERVICE
MAR 5. 2:00 PM (ET)
Lasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral Care
814 Bestgate Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
[email protected]
Obituary for Albert Green
The celebration of life for Albert Rudolph Green began on August 26, 1939. Al was born in Annapolis, Maryland to the late Rev. Charles Alton Green and Mrs. Beatrice Prudence Green. He attended and graduated from Wiley H. Bates High School in Annapolis in 1958. Al united in marriage with Pearl Anita Brown on July 27, 1962. Of this union, two children were born: Albert Eugene Green and Lynise Vernay Green.
In high school, Al was drum major for the marching band as well as one of the elite members of the varsity basketball team where he was known for his “nothing but net” corner shot. He also enjoyed the Industrial Arts class where he made a cedar wood storage chest which his daughter Lynise cherishes to this very day!
Al ventured into the college realm, taking a swimming course at Anne Arundel Community College. He successfully completed the course, earning the nickname of “Jaws”, which gives some indication of how challenging the adventure was!
Al fell in love with the game of golf at a young age. When they weren’t caddying, he, along with his brothers Franklin and Carrolton (Skip) would often sneak in playing time on the US Naval Academy Golf Course. Without any formal lessons, he learned to play left-handed because someone gave him a left-hand set of clubs. After receiving a right-hand set, he was able to seamlessly transition the techniques and soon became a fierce competitor on the course.
A member of the United Golfers Association, a group of Black self-proclaimed golf professionals (affectionately known as the “Chitlin Circuit”), Al was a dominant competitor on the course. In 1967,
Al became the first African American to earn membership in the Mid-Atlantic Section of the Professional Golfer’s Association. Al accomplished trailblazing milestones across golf’s racial divide thanks to the helping hands of Johnny Bass, who appointed him as his Assistant Pro at Pine Ridge Golf Course, taught him the business of golf and made a way for him to compete in many Mid Atlantic professional golf tournaments. Another dear friend, Vernon Terry, also played a major role in Al’s career, sponsoring his tournament agenda.
In 1969, Al became the head pro at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Golf Course in Crownsville, MD. – the county’s first 18-hole public golf course. For nine years he and his family managed the operations of the course—brother Skip as his Assistant Pro, brother Frank as the greens superintendent; wife Pearl managed the Pro Shop, and sister Vi and his brother-in-law Horace Rowel holding down the snack bar. He even put the kids to work—Algene, Lynise, Skip Jr., Rodney and Timmy—shagging balls on the driving range and ensuring golf carts were always cleaned, charged and ready to go.
As his career continued to grow, Al left Eisenhower for a new appointment as Director of Golf at the Bahamas Princess Hotel and Casino in Freeport, Bahamas. There for nearly 3 years, he and his family experienced an incredibly unique opportunity of cultural and international immersion. Afterward, he and his family returned home where he went on to lead operations at Langston Golf Course, Lee Elder Enterprises and Lake Arbor Country Club.
After a short time in Florida, Al once again returned home to Maryland where he rejoined the family church (Asbury Broadneck United Methodist) and became a prominent member of the Men’s Choir. Still living his passion, Al went full circle taking his final place in the game of golf as the Head Teaching Professional at Eisenhower Golf Course. He retired from this position in 2019.
Albert Rudolph Green went on to evergreen fairways on February 16, 2022 to unite in spirit with his parents, his brothers Frank and Skip, and sisters Viola and Lil. He leaves to celebrate his life, cherish his memory and continue his legacy: ex-wife and best friend Pearl Anita Green, devoted son Albert Eugene (Monique) and loving daughter Dr. Lynise Vernay; his “buddies”, as he affectionately referred to his grandchildren, Cierra Lynette and Quincy William; a sister, Standola Elizabeth Reynolds; 12 nieces – Carol, Lillie, Joanne, Cynthia, Patricia, Yvette, Sondra, Nicole, Maria, Carol, Melanie and Lafrance; 12 nephews – Charles (Joe), Gary, Myron, Johnnie, Randy, Keith, Alton, Timothy, Scott, Carrollton, Rodney and Michael, and a host of cousins and friends.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Albert Green please visit our Sympathy Store.
When asked his golf handicap, Chris Word chuckles and says, “It’s under construction….” So much for bragging rights on the course. Yet, what this Charlotte, North Carolina resident can be proud of his work as President and CEO of Greenwood Golf, an online retailer of tour-level golf balls and very uniquely designed blade (putter) covers.
Launched in 2021, product functionality and affordability is front-and-center for Greenwood Golf, whose three-layer golf ball is expertly crafted combining a high cis-polybutadiene rubber core, surlyn mantle and injectable urethane cover to create one of the most exceptional tour balls on the market. The use of these materials provides extraordinary distance, spin, control, and feel off the face of the club for its balls.
Chris, born in East Saint Louis, Illinois, is a University of Notre Dame graduate and a CPA by trade with decades of industry experience. Alongside his wife, Nitra Word, the couple has served for years as accounting consultants, listing Fortune 100 companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Wells Fargo among their past cliental. Today, Chris has taken his passion for golf to introduce new products to the golf world through Greenwood Golf, a 100% Black-owned business, founded to celebrate the experience of a round of golf.
Greenwood Golf…the beginning
Ingenuity usually comes about in trying to fulfill a need. Thus, was the beginning of Greenwood Golf. “I started the company last year when I couldn’t find a cover for my Blade putter, says the 37-year-old. “I created the putter cover that I liked and then launched SneakyPutter to offer it to other golfers. In late 2021, we added golf balls and range balls to our product list and changed our name to Greenwood Golf.”
Chris’ passion for the game is evident as he talks about the camaraderie that he experiences while playing rounds with his mentors, Darryl Jackson, a Charlotte entrepreneur, and Dwight Williams, a retired veteran. Throughout his years playing golf, Chris saw first-hand that “There are a diverse number of people who love the game. I have played with women, children, professional athletes, entrepreneurs, colleagues, business professionals, and even 70-year-old men who wore jeans and smoked cigarettes. What I have come to appreciate is that no matter who you are, your background or beliefs, we all share a love for the game. I founded Greenwood Golf to capture the essence of that diversity and experience.”
In today’s golf landscape, the sport is experiencing a major leap in attracting new players. According to data from the National Golf Foundation (NGF), at the peak of the 2021 U.S. golf season, the number of rounds played was up 16.1% compared to 2020. In 2020, the NGF recorded 24.8 million golfers in the U.S., an increase of 500,000 (or 2%) over 2019. It was the largest net increase in the number of players (both beginners playing their first round and lapsed golfers coming back to the game) for the first time in 17 years.
All golfers need balls to play with, yet Chris, knows there are still challenges ahead for his new business. “I believe our biggest challenge is going to be perception. Golfers are loyal to their favorite brands. Even though, we have quality products, since our business/products are new to the market, our challenge is going to be getting golfers to switch to our products while we are working to become a household name.”
Greenwood Golf products, which are available through their website www.greenwood.golf and Amazon, include its signature Greenwood Golf Ball, available in a single box ($40/dozen) or a two box bundle ($75), and a wide variety of custom handcrafted putter covers, for both left-and-right handed golfers ($20 and up). When asked about the putter covers, Chris talks about how frequently it becomes a conversation starter during rounds. “Since I created the cover, someone at some point asks me about it. Depending on the color scheme for the day, I respond by mentioning how the cover reminds me of my daughter, or represents my alma mater, Notre Dame. Either way, the conversation has started.”
Chris carries no shame about his golf game. He admits, “Golf is hard, especially if you do not put the time in to remain consistent.” Notwithstanding, Chris continues to persevere. He remains humble but has large plans to scale his Greenwood Golf company into an empire to be reckoned with.
Greenwood Golf is a proud sponsor of the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Golf Classic and Gala, which will be held in Charlotte, NC on June 18, 2022. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the Golf Team of Julius Chambers High School, a diverse and underfunded program. To participate or donate to this great cause visit https://www.charlottegolfersalliance.org/juneteenth To learn more about Greenwood Golf and its products visit www.greenwood.golf, via facebook @greenwoodgolfbrand or instagram @greenwood_golf
The USGA has announced that its Executive Committee will again be led by Stu Francis, of Hillsborough, Calif., and by Fred Perpall, of Dallas, Texas, who will serve as president-elect.
In addition, Sinclair Eaddy Jr., of Baltimore, Md., and Kevin Hammer, of Boynton Beach, Fla., have been elected to three-year terms on the USGA’s 15-member Executive Committee.
The election took place on Saturday during the 2022 USGA Annual Meeting, which was broadcast virtually from Carlsbad, Calif.
The new committee members represent global leadership within their fields of expertise and lend critical business talent in areas important to the game’s future: promoting growth through programs that reach more diverse people, expanding golf’s reach through digital distribution, and broadening golf’s engagement with programs that support economic and environmental sustainability.
The USGA Executive Committee is a volunteer group of 15 people that provides strategic and financial oversight as the Association’s policy-making and governance board. Francis was elected to lead the committee two years ago and will serve the final year of his three-year term as president in 2022.
Eaddy and Hammer will each serve a three-year term beginning in 2022, with the possibility of being elected for a second and final three-year term in 2025.
“Sinclair and Kevin embody the values and mission of the USGA, and I am proud to work alongside them,” said Francis, who is serving his seventh year on the Executive Committee. “They bring a high level of passion, talent and expertise to the committee so we can deliver on our vision for the organization and the game of golf.”
Perpall, a native of the Bahamas who now calls Dallas home, will serve as president-elect, a position created in 2019 to provide Executive Committee leadership succession and continuity. He is currently completing his third year on the Executive Committee, chairs the Championship Committee and serves on the Amateur Status Committee.
“Fred is a terrific leader and his passion for the game is evident at every USGA championship and golf event he attends,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “He will continue to be a towering force for golf and for our association’s work to ensure the game continues to thrive long into the future.”
Professionally, Perpall is the CEO of The Beck Group, where he leads the firm’s domestic and international architectural design, planning, real estate consultancy and construction businesses. A registered architect, Perpall was elected to the prestigious American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2016. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He played basketball and ran track in college and was a member of the 1994 Bahamian National Basketball Team.
Perpall was a member of the Board of Trustees who helped build Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas. The public/private partnership that led to the club’s creation has served as an inspiration within its underserved community. Trinity Forest has served as host to Southern Methodist University’s golf program, numerous charitable tournaments, and events for the Dallas chapter of The First Tee.
Eaddy serves as the president and CEO of the National Links Trust, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and protecting affordability, accessibility and engaging golf course architecture at municipal golf courses across the U.S. Eaddy previously served as president and executive director of The First Tee of Greater Baltimore. He currently serves on the boards of the Maryland State Golf Association and the Middle Atlantic Golf Association and is a director of the Western Golf Association. He has served as a USGA committee member since 2018 and is a volunteer Rules official at the regional and national levels.
Prior to joining the golf industry, Eaddy, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business and economics at Franklin & Marshall College, had a successful career in the private sector at Legg Mason Global Asset Management and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
Hammer is currently in his 10th year as a member of the Florida State Golf Association Executive Committee and his second and final year as FSGA president. He was introduced to the game at a young age by his parents, both of whom enjoyed long careers in the golf industry. Hammer spent his early years working at multiple golf facilities and quickly developed a lifelong love, passion and respect for the game. A former first-team American Junior Golf Association All-American, Hammer played collegiately at the University of Florida and has qualified for multiple USGA championships. Driven by his desire to give back to the game, Hammer began volunteering with the Florida State Golf Association.
Professionally, Hammer is a managing director at Bank of America / Merrill Lynch. For more than 23 years, Hammer and his team have managed investments for individuals, families, foundations and professional athletes.
In addition to the two new Executive Committee members, Perpall, Tony Anderson of Chicago, Ill., and Deborah Platt Majoras of Cincinnati, Ohio, have all been elected to serve a second three-year term.
Current USGA Executive Committee members include Francis, Perpall, Eaddy, Hammer, Anderson, Majoras, Thomas Barkin of Richmond, Va.; Paul Brown of Brookeville, Md.; Chuck Brymer of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; Cathy Engelbert of Berkeley Heights, N.J.; Kendra Graham of Winter Park, Fla.; Courtney Myhrum of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Tony Petitti of Irvington, N.Y.; Nick Price of Hobe Sound, Fla.; and Sharon Ritchey of Longboat Key, Fla.
Retiring from the Executive Committee are J. Michael Bailey and Stephen Beebe.
A timely resource for Black professionals on how to rise to the top of their organizations or industries and, just as importantly, to stay there.
Black Faces in HighPlaces is the essential guide for Black professionals who are moving up through their organizations or industries but need a roadmap for how to get to the top and stay there. It highlights the experiences of other Black faces in high places who were able to navigate various crossroads, reach the top, and stay there, including insights from President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Cathy Hughes, Bob Johnson, Ursula Burns, David Steward, Angela Glover Blackwell, Ken Chenault, Senator Cory Booker, Geoffrey Canada, and others. This groundbreaking book:
- Provides a lens into the careers of other prominent figures, across several industries and sectors.
- Identifies the 10 strategic actions successful Black leaders and executives must take.
- Empowers readers with models and steps to follow these 10 strategic actions on their own journeys to becoming a prominent leader.
- Outlines the unique challenges that come with a leadership role and how to overcome them.
- Walks readers through the changes in mindset, skillset, and toolset required to travel along the success path while helping others at every step along the way.
Available at Amazon.com
CHICAGO (Feb. 22, 2022) — Wilson Sporting Goods Co. today announces a new line of its Launch Pad super game-improvement golf clubs. The cutting-edge, modern look matches the game-changing technology that helps high handicap golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
“Wilson Golf prides itself on our ability to provide the right products for every level of player,” said Tim Clarke, President of Wilson Golf. “From Staff Model to D9 and now the newest Launch Pad range, our products are designed with best-in-class technology to help bring out the best in every individual’s game.”
The new Wilson Launch Pad family includes irons, driver, fairway woods and hybrids to provide gapping for every player. With performance features designed to address the game’s most common problems, the entire family features a dramatic new look and performance to match.
Wilson’s advanced generative design process resulted in two key improvements. First, the new Launch Pad irons feature an optimized wide sole that resists digging and prevents chunking for improved ball striking consistency. Second, the center of gravity was lowered to create an iron that launches the ball higher. A new paint process resists scuffing for a longer lasting finish.
The new Launch Pad driver is one of the lightest on the market and is coupled with a lightweight Project X EvenFlow shaft to deliver effortless swing speeds for players of all types. The Launch Pad driver is designed with an inherent draw bias that helps combat a slice. Its PKR (Peak Kinetic Response) face features an innovative design that disguises the closed face angle and offset hosel transition, which combined promote a left-bias ball flight.
Launch Pad fairway woods and hybrids utilize a similar ultra-light design with a draw bias that produces effortless distance and accuracy. Many aspects of these clubs are aimed at solving the slice, including face angle, a moderate offset, head shape and a center of gravity positioned low and heelward. A high-strength and super thin Carpenter Custom 455 face delivers great feel and higher ball speeds.
The new Launch Pad hybrids are perfectly positioned between fairways and irons with the option of a 4 and 5 hybrid, plus a FY club, ensuring proper gapping for every player.
All new Launch Pad clubs will be available at Wilson.com and at all global retailers starting March 14. The new Launch Pad line is priced as follows: irons $949 (steel) and $1,049 (graphite); driver $449; fairway woods $279, and hybrids $249.
Exploring Black Capital examines the ways Black capital has played a part in golf both historically and presently.
On Thursday, February 24 at 6:30 PM ET a panel discussion will analyze and discuss Black Capital and actionable steps to take. Hosted by Kelley Pierre, founder, All Access Golf.
RSVP at: www.allaccessgolfllc.com/events
Pro golfer Christian Havens wants fans to know, “Hey, there are still opportunities for corporate sponsors. I am selling logo spots on my chest, golf bag, and collar. For companies looking for a good marketing opportunity to show community support and build awareness, this is a great opportunity. I have already partnered with major company Ascension and am looking for companies that share our values in health, diversity and inclusion, community service, and faith. I will be playing a full schedule on the APGA along with top state and city open events throughout the year.”
For more information on how you or your company can sponsor Christian visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/christian.heavens.3
Never Whisper Justice, Old Spice, and Stride, Inc. are teaming up to provide a free digital learning course to more than 200,000 students, 400+ school districts, and 7,000+ teachers nationwide. This follows this week’s screening of the award-winning film, BLACK BOYS, at Brand Storytelling 2022 – a sanctioned event of the Sundance Film Festival. The film is also an integral part of Old Spice’s 10-year commitment to help increase high school graduation rates by +10% in underserved communities.
Never Whisper Justice, a disruptive social justice film company fusing bold storytelling with concrete, meaningful social impact, has teamed up with P&G’s grooming brand Old Spice to address systemic bias in education, while reimagining society’s shared humanity beginning with Black boys and their experiences. The partnership demonstrates how collaboration can ignite meaningful action.
In 2020, Never Whisper Justice (NWJ) produced BLACK BOYS, and the film became an official selection at this year’s Brand Storytelling 2022. It was chosen as one of the 15 films by the executive selection committee from over 160 submissions. The documentary celebrates the full spectrum and humanity of Black men and boys in America, while showcasing the effects of racism. The film also invites audiences to imagine a world in which Black boys experience true belonging and unlimited possibilities.
Along with the partnership, NWJ extended Frontlines of Justice (FoJ), an eLearning platform aimed to improve the learning outcome of tens of thousands of underrepresented students nationwide through personal and professional socio-emotional development.NWJ aims to provide the FoJ’s Black Boys Digital Learning Course to more than 200K students, 400+ school districts and 7000+ teachers for free by partnering with Stride Inc. Niyoka McCoy, Chief Academic Officer of Stride, says that “now is the time to take digital media in the classroom to the next level — we must elevate our students’ voices by connecting film and curriculum to foster critical conversations around social justice and racial equity through deeper learning. As the nation’s leading provider of online and blended learning programs, Stride’s mission is to provide a high-quality education for anyone — particularly those from underserved and historically underrepresented communities.
Supported by Old Spice’s School of Swagger initiative designed to increase youth mentor sign-ups, this partnership showcases how Old Spice’s investment in purpose-driven storytelling, community engagement and actionable initiatives has charted a new path for accelerating impactful-measurable change in the lives of young people nationwide.
Since the fall of 2020, Old Spice has been committed to a 10-year initiative to improve high school graduation rates for underserved students by ten percent. NWJ’s filmBLACK BOYSis streaming now on NBC’s Peacock ; it illuminates the dominant conversation and consciousness that some young people, particularly Black and brown boys, experience systemic barriers that result in unequal opportunity. Chosen as an official selection for Brand Storytelling 2022, BLACK BOYS is radically changing the cultural conversation but refuses to stop there.
Together, this partnership is dedicating real time resources and energy to increasing graduation rates by elevating Old Spice’s School of Swagger Initiative and bringing NWJ’s eLearning platform Frontlines of Justice to schools across the country. Frontlines of Justice (FoJ) is an online, video-centric eLearning platform designed to create social, racial, and educational justice through compelling film content.
“Awareness without concrete social impact is just advertising. Campaigns often fall short when they focus solely on raising awareness. We are filmmakers whose storyboard begins with impact first. When problems are systemic, our approach must create sustainable interventions,” says Jon-Thomas Royston, co-founder of NWJ.
“We’re excited that Brand Storytelling 2022 selected ‘BLACK BOYS’ as a feature film,” said Matt Krehbiel, Old Spice brand vice president at Procter & Gamble. “It’s great to continue our efforts to help young people succeed in high school and beyond by promoting the racial, educational, and social justice learnings to more students in schools nationwide.”
This social and educational impact component now attached to the commitment to increase graduation rates for young Black and brown men by 2030 is only the beginning. NWJ and Old Spice are not stopping at inspiring the conversation — they are committed to changing it through meaningful action.
About Never Whisper Justice
Never Whisper Justice (NWJ) is building a movement for social justice and cultural impact through film. Filmmakers work to create courageous space for storytelling by centering voices of those with lived experiences both in front of and behind the camera. NWJ also works to inspire policy change and meaningful action on issues highlighted in films. To learn more, visit www.neverwhisperjustice.com. Follow on Twitter and Instagram @nwjfilms.
About Frontlines of Justice
Frontlines of Justice (FoJ) is an online, video-centric eLearning platform designed to create social, racial, and educational justice through compelling content. FoJ hosts and manages an interactive digital content platform (Social Justice + Masterclass). Additionally, FoJ creates/curates original media, curriculum, and content by reimagining education through the lens of film, technology and high-fidelity storytelling rather than traditional academia. To learn more, visit www.frontlinesofjustice.com. Follow on Twitter @FoJLearning and Instagram @frontlinesofjustice.
About Old Spice
Procter & Gamble’s Old Spice is the quintessential grooming brand. With more than 80 years as an American icon, Old Spice is the authority on grooming experience and has leveraged this heritage to become the No. 1 selling anti-perspirant and deodorant brand for guys in the United States. Old Spice offers a complete product portfolio for today’s evolving needs, including anti-perspirants, deodorants, body washes, body sprays, shampoos and hair stylers. Check Old Spice out at www.oldspice.com, Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OldSpice), Twitter (@OldSpice) and Instagram (oldspice).
About Stride Inc.
At Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN), we are reimagining learning—where learning is lifelong, deeply personal, and prepares learners for tomorrow. The company has transformed millions of people’s teaching and learning experiences by providing innovative, high-quality, tech-enabled education solutions, curriculum, and programs directly to students, schools, the military, and enterprises in primary, secondary, and postsecondary settings. Stride is a premier provider of K-12 education for students, schools, and districts, including career learning services through middle and high school curriculum. For adult learners, Stride delivers professional skills training in healthcare and technology, as well as staffing and talent development for Fortune 500 companies. Stride has delivered millions of courses over the past decade and serves learners in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The company is a proud sponsor of the Future of School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap between the pace of technology and the pace of change in education. More information can be found at stridelearning.com, K12.com, galvanize.com, techelevator.com, and medcerts.com.
About Brand Storytelling
Brand Storytelling is a privately-owned organization with the mission to support, educate and inspire brand-funded content. Based in Dana Point, California, Brand Storytelling hosts bi-annual events focused on bringing together a community of brands, directors, agencies, content studios and platforms to celebrate innovative content approaches and inspire the next generation of brand storytellers. Visit BrandStorytelling.tv to learn more.
Second Annual Juneteenth Event Set to Benefit Ohio’s
Second Annual Juneteenth Event Set to Benefit Ohio’s Wilberforce University Golf Team
DUBLIN, Ohio – The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday and the Black Golf Alliance (BGA), in association with the PGA TOUR, announced today the details surrounding the second annual BGA Juneteenth Golf Weekend Classic. The 47th playing of the Memorial, the prestigious PGA TOUR event hosted annually by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, will serve as the backdrop for the 2022 BGA Juneteenth event.
The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday is May 30 – June 5, 2022 at the renowned Muirfield Village Golf Club.
In recognition of Juneteenth¾an American holiday honoring the freedom of enslaved people in the United States at the end of the Civil War¾BGA created the Juneteenth Golf Weekend Classic to support entities, foundations, and organizations that align with its core mission, to grow the game of golf in the Black community through love, unity, and respect for each other and the game itself. This year’s event will benefit the Wilberforce University (WU) Golf Team. Located in Wilberforce, Ohio, WU is the nation’s oldest private, historically Black University owned and operated by African Americans.
The Classic will kick off by hosting golfers from around the country for three exciting rounds of golf at Ohio-area courses, including Clearview Golf Course in Akron (the only golf course in the U.S. designed, built, and owned by an African American¾Clearview was named a National Historic Site by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2001), Golf Club of Dublin, and The Country Club at Muirfield. Participants will also attend the Memorial Tournament and enjoy the competition at one of the premier stops on the PGA TOUR.
Additionally, Classic guests will have the opportunity to donate their time by volunteering at the Memorial Tournament to raise additional funds for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Memorial’s primary beneficiary since the event’s inception in 1976. In recognition of the newly established relationship between the Tournament and BGA, the Memorial will make a contribution to the WU Golf Team as a match to the funds raised by the BGA Juneteenth Weekend Classic.
To register for the BGA Juneteenth Golf Weekend Classic, or for more information, please visit blackgolfalliance.com, or email [email protected]. The registration deadline is May 13, 2022, and space is limited.
To follow the BGA on social media, visit @blackgolfalliance on Facebook, @blackgolfallia1 on Twitter, and @black.golf.alliance on Instagram.
For more information about the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, please visit thememorialtournament.com. For the latest news and updates on social media, follow the Tournament
on Twitter and Instagram at @MemorialGolf and on Facebook at Facebook.com/theMemorialTournament.
About the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday
The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday is held annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The Tournament, founded and hosted by Jack Nicklaus, is conducted each year with three goals in mind: to honor the memory of individuals living and deceased who have distinguished themselves in the game of golf; to showcase the world’s best golfers competing on one of the most challenging venues in the world for the enjoyment of spectators; and to benefit many Greater Columbus Charities in alliance with the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation and numerous other local organizations. For more information, visit www.thememorialtournament.com or call 614-889-6700.
About Workday
Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources, helping customers adapt and thrive in a changing world. Workday applications for financial management, human resources, planning, spend management, and analytics have been adopted by thousands of organizations around the world and across industries—from medium-sized businesses to more than 50% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com.
20 First Tee Students Representing 10 First Tee Chapters to Compete in Three-Day Tournament in Conjunction with the Chubb Classic Presented by SERVPRO
NAPLES, Fla., Feb. 16, 2022 – The Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary this week, when 20 First Tee participants representing 10 Chapters throughout the country converges upon Southwest Florida to compete in a three-day championship in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO, Feb. 18-20.
In partnership with the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge will feature three nine-hole rounds of competition, with an alternate format each day on three of Naples’ premier golf courses. On Friday, the teams will play in a better-ball format at The Moorings Country Club; Saturday will be a scramble format at Royal Poinciana Golf Club; and Sunday will be alternate shot format at Lely Golf and Country Club (Flamingo Course). The chapter that earns the highest amount of points throughout all three formats will be named 2022 Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge winners.
Among the participants is Sterling Virginia’s 16-year old Kyndall Campbell. The teenager has an exciting performance history and is likely to do well in the Challenge.
Prior to competition, the First Tee students will participate in a special First Tee Champions Challenge Clinic presented by Premier Packaging, taking place on the back of the driving range on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Tiburón Golf Club with PGA TOUR Champions players. The First Tee participants also will participate in the “Keep Collier Beautiful Beach Clean Up” volunteer service activity on Saturday morning prior to their second-round play at Royal Poinciana.
“As a destination that is recognized nationally and globally for our outstanding golf amenities and resorts, sponsoring the Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge in partnership with the Chubb Classic is a natural fit for us,” said Paul Beirnes, executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “Introducing the next generation of golfers to the sport at this level and seeing the life-changing skills they acquire through their interactions with some of the PGA TOUR’s top talent only enhances our commitment. We look forward to seeing these junior golfers back in Naples to compete on a professional level in the near future.”
“First Tee – Naples/Collier is honored to once again be the host charity of the Chubb Classic and hosting the annual Golf to Paradise – First Tee Champions Challenge,” said First Tee – Naples/Collier executive director Cindy Durland. “We look forward to welcoming the First Tee participants from around the country for a tremendous week, and we wish all First Tee participants great success in this year’s event.”
The First Tee Chapters and participants include:
Ty Kaufman First Tee – Naples/Collier
Julian Alonso First Tee – Naples/Collier
Bradley Lardie First Tee – West Michigan
Adam Koval First Tee – West Michigan
Dylan Callaway First Tee – Pittsburgh
Daniel McCloskey First Tee – Pittsburgh
Brant Dattilo First Tee – the Triangle
Ava Heaton First Tee – the Triangle
Gabriella Ishaq First Tee – Minnesota
Matthew Stolte First Tee – Minnesota
Slade Aliff First Tee – Roanoke Valley
Caroline Gilreath First Tee – Roanoke Valley
Devin Carpenter First Tee – Greater Philadelphia
Isabella Magno First Tee – Greater Philadelphia
Kaylee Dwyer First Tee – Chicago
Annika Northey First Tee – Chicago
Zara Karim First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C.
Kyndall Campbell First Tee – Greater Washington, D.C.
Brant Tretter First Tee – Indiana
Sam Reising First Tee – Indiana
The Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO is celebrating its 35th anniversary as the longest-standing PGA TOUR Champions event to be contested in the same metropolitan area, tournament organizers will welcome back fans to the 2022 Chubb Classic with a variety of ticket options that are now available and can be purchased exclusively at www.ChubbClassic.com.
There are four ticket options for fans interested in attending the 2022 Chubb Classic:
- Good-Any-One Day Grounds:
- $25. General admission daily grounds, valid Thursday, Feb. 17 (Pro-Am), and Friday-Sunday, Feb. 18-20 (tournament rounds).
- Weekly Grounds:
- $40. General admission daily grounds, valid Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 17-20.
- Legends Lounge 17th Green Suite:
- $125 per day. Private luxury suite offering exclusive views of the 17th green. Includes hot appetizers, afternoon snacks, soft drinks and cash bar.
- ULTRA Club 18th Green Suite:
- $400 per day. Private luxury suite overlooking the 18th green. Includes premium full lunch buffet, open bar and valet parking.
Tiburón Golf Club, the only facility to host a PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions and LPGA Tour event in the same calendar year, features two 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf courses, The Gold and The Black. The Black Course, which opened in 2001, has a very distinctive look with its pine straw-lined fairways, crushed coquina waste areas and undulating greens nestled amidst acres of pine trees and native Florida foliage. The Black Course is designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International to protect and enhance its natural surroundings.
The 2021 Chubb Classic was contested in April at The Black Course at Tiburón Golf Club, where Steve Stricker captured his sixth PGA TOUR Champions victory by one stroke over Robert Karlsson and Alex Cejka.
For more information on the Chubb Classic, visit www.ChubbClassic.com, as well as on social media: @ChubbClassic on Twitter, @ChubbClassic on Instagram and Chubb Classic on Facebook.
About Tiburón Golf Club
Located in Naples, Florida, Tiburón Golf Club, managed by Troon Golf features two 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed golf courses, The Gold and The Black. Tiburón is home to the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA TOUR’s QBE Shootout and is consistently rated among the top 20 golf facilities in Florida by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine. Tiburón’s Gold Course opened in 1998 and the Black Course opened in 2001. Both courses play to a par of 72 and feature five sets of tees. The Gold Course can play as long as 7,382 yards, while The Black Course can play up to 6,949 yards from the championship tees. The 295-room Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples sits adjacent to the two award-winning courses, while the 450-room Ritz-Carlton beach hotel is just a few miles away. The semi-private club has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International. Tiburón’s 27,000-square foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse features three dining rooms, private member locker rooms and lounge areas, as well as an award-winning golf shop.
About Chubb
Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: chubb.com.
About The Chubb Classic
The Chubb Classic has been held in Naples, FL, since 1988 and features stars from the PGA TOUR Champions competing over 54 holes for a share of $1.6 million in prize money. Past champions include legends of the game such as Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer. The event is owned and operated by Outlyr (formerly Eiger Marketing Group), a global marketing and event management agency that operates 12 professional golf tournaments across the country. Outlyr also operates a number of other sporting and lifestyle events and manages the sponsorship portfolio for several blue-chip clients. Visit www.ChubbClassic.com for more information.
About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour, on Instagram @pgatourchampions and on TikTok.
All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on GOLF Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 20-plus TV linear partners in 170-plus countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 170-plus hours of live coverage distributed in 130-plus countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States (240-plus countries and territories), excluding China, Korea and Russia, with live coverage distributed in 130-plus countries and territories.
About Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades
Naples Marco Island and the Gulf Coast Everglades has a year-round laid-back atmosphere. With more than 30 miles of soft, white sand beaches, a thriving arts and culture scene, endless dining delights, great golf, and the best of outdoor adventure, Florida’s Paradise Coast is truly a destination to discover. To start planning your visit, check out things to do and where to stay at ParadiseCoast.com, or call 800-688-3600.
Starting March 4, the Black Golf Directory (BGD) has announced a new initiative that will help elevate players in the game with monetary support. “High Five Fridays” is a way to signify approval of someone doing a good job and a sign of encouragement for them to continue. In a Facebook post (shown below) BGD shared details of the new effort and instructs interested golfers on how they can apply for assistance.
“We will be promoting two Black elite golfer’s every month! We are asking our followers to support them by giving a minimum of $5 to each one every month. Our goal is to have at least 1,000 members to support the families each month,” says the post. To benefit the cause, “The funds will be sent directly to the families through their chosen payment processor! It’s now time to put up or (you know the rest) lol! All competitive junior golfers can apply now by clicking this link: https://www.blackgolfdirectory.com/highfivefriday.”
This program will play a small part in helping selected promising players cover the cost of their tournament fees, travel, equipment, and instruction costs.
Designed to support a junior golfer’s dreams, The High Five initiative is the brainchild of several Black families and junior golf advocates that shared concerns about not being able to find financial support to help their junior golfers play at an elite level in order to give them a fair shot at playing golf at the professional level.
ABOUT BLACK GOLF DIRECTORY
Founded by Jamie Taylor, LPGA, in 2020, the BGD is a popular national resource directory of African American golf professionals, coaches, junior programs, adult leagues/events, golf courses, businesses, and publications. BGD is based in Orlando, Florida.
Taylor has been playing golf for 30 years and possesses over 20-years of golf industry experience. Prior to launching the BGD she served as Programs Manager for the LPGA Foundation where her focus was growing the game by attracting more females through the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Program. Taylor also successfully oversaw the execution of major programs and events such as the junior clinics at LPGA Tournaments, LPGA Leadership Academies, Girls Golf Academies, eLeader Program, and scholarships.
To learn more about the BDG visit BlackGolfDirectory.com or contact [email protected]