January 2, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
Find out who is the richest golfer in the world. Playing professional golf can be pretty lucrative if your good at the game. Find out who’s at the top of the money list…many won’t be surprised.
January 2, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
Imagine receiving a small white envelope in the mail (via USPS) with the return address shown as Augusta, Georgia. Inside, recipients discover a polite request to “RSVP”…can’t you see the smiles?
With 2020 now history, thus far, 84 players had qualified for the 2021 Masters, after the addition of those not already eligible who were ranked in the top 50 of the year-end World Ranking (and excluding past champions who are unlikely to compete).
Players who were not mailed invites to this BIG gig, still have a few ways to earn an invitation between now and April. Eligible to participate will be the winner of any of the 13 remaining full FedEx Cup points event on the PGA Tour, who is not already qualified will get in. Also, anyone who is in the top 50 of the World Ranking a week before the April 8-11 tournament will receive an invitation. And, Augusta National has the right to exercise other special invitations. (Ordinarily, the winner of the Latin America Amateur, traditionally held in January, would also get into the field, but that tournament has been postponed.)
There are now fewer than 100 days until the masters tournament will tee off and officials are still trying to work out details on whether or not patrons will be allowed to attend. It’s a most difficult decision that has to b made fairly soon. Considering the continued increase in COVID-19 cases, golf fans eagerly await the announcement. Especially given the fact that the 2020 Masters in April was postponed and then rescheduled for November.
See the list of current contenters below, while we wait to see who else may receive a little white envelope:
2021 Masters field
Abraham Ancer
Daniel Berger
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Ángel Cabrera
Patrick Cantlay
Paul Casey
Cameron Champ
Stewart Cink
Corey Conners
Fred Couples
Jason Day
Bryson DeChambeau
Harris English
Tony Finau
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Tommy Fleetwood
Dylan Frittelli
Sergio Garcia
Brian Gay
Lanto Griffin
Tyrrell Hatton
Jim Herman
Billy Horschel
Viktor Hovland
Mackenzie Hughes
Sungjae Im
Trevor Immelman
Dustin Johnson
Zach Johnson
Kevin Kisner
Brooks Koepka
Jason Kokrak
Matt Kuchar
Martin Laird
Bernhard Langer
Marc Leishman
Joe Long (a)
Shane Lowry
Sandy Lyle
Hideki Matsuyama
Rory McIlroy
Phil Mickelson
Larry Mize
Francesco Molinari
Collin Morikawa
Sebastian Muñoz
Kevin Na
Joaquin Niemann
José Maria Olazábal
Louis Oosthuizen
Carlos Ortiz
Charles Osborne (a)
Ryan Palmer
C.T. Pan
Victor Perez
Ian Poulter
Jon Rahm
Patrick Reed
Justin Rose
Xander Schauffele
Scottie Scheffler
Charl Schwartzel
Adam Scott
Webb Simpson
Vijay Singh
Cameron Smith
Jordan Spieth
Henrik Stenson
Tyler Strafaci (a)
Robert Streb
Hudson Swafford
Justin Thomas
Michael Thompson
Brendon Todd
Jimmy Walker
Matt Wallace
Bubba Watson
Mike Weir
Lee Westwood
Bernd Wiesberger
Danny Willett
Matthew Wolff
Gary Woodland
Tiger Woods
January 2, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
Gregory Thomas Reginald Maybury, the general manager of the Port Royal and Ocean View golf courses, has died. Mr. Maybury was 65. Mr. Maybury had worked in the hotel industry for years in Bermuda overseas before he started working for the government.
Maybury was a beloved husband to Donna and devoted father to Greg Jr., loving son to Ada Maybury and the late Kenneth L. Maybury.
A Zoom memorial service was held on January 11th, 2021 at 2pm for invited family, extended family, colleagues and friends to share in Greg’s homegoing service.
Maybury also leaves to cherish his memory his sister-in-law Lisa Harvey Simmons (Clevie); nieces Roxanne Pearman (Sanz) and Sasha Maybury; nephews Randolph Edmead, Kenneth (“Timer”) and Ricardo (Susan) Maybury; great-nieces Jada and Sanzia Pearman and Kenni Maybury; great-nephews Chase and Riley; aunts Peggy Maybury, Ainslie Laws and Vivienne Anderson; special cousins: the Osborne and Anderson families in the US; Special friends Craig Trott, Kevin Saunders, Rodney Caines, Dr. Freddie Evans, Roddy Nesbitt, Tony Hunter, Steven Lambert Jr.; current and former colleagues at the Port Royal Golf Course, Ocean View and the old St. George’s Golf Courses; the Southampton Princess Hotel (Fairmont Southampton); the Somerset and St. George’s communities and many, many others.
Covid-19 precautions will be observed at the private ceremony. Mask and hand sanitation will be required and social distancing observed. Augustus Funeral Home and Cremation Servicewww.augustusfuneralhome.com
Steven Lambert, the assistant manager at the Port Royal, said: “For many of us Mr. Maybury was more than our boss, he was also a mentor and a friend. He was devoted to both Ocean View and Port Royal golf courses, with his office in Southampton and, when time permitted, enjoyed playing the game of golf as well. He was well known as a serious sportsman who studied the physiology and the psychology of many different sports, including martial arts.”
Mr. Steve Lambert added: “He was a people person, well versed in the management of the golf course, and capable of adapting to any situation. In recent years he dedicated himself to mentoring young Bermudians – throughout the Government golf course workforce, young Bermudians led by Greg Maybury were given an opportunity to grow and he was proud to lead by example with his work ethic.”
Derrick Burgess, chairman of the Government golf courses, said he was shocked by the news.
Mr Burgess added: “Greg’s work with the international bodies that brought to Bermuda the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and PGA Tour Bermuda Championship served Bermuda well and he earned the respect of his peers. He worked extremely hard to the very end. On behalf of my fellow trustees, we offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends. “
Kim Swan, a Progressive Labour Party MP and a former top golfer, said he worked with Mr. Maybury as the teaching golf professional on the course’s development programme
Mr. Swan said: “Greg Maybury believed in our outreach initiatives which were required to encourage new blood to play the game of golf.
“He wholeheartedly supported our efforts to attract adults and junior golfers to the game.”
M.r Swan said Mr. Maybury took pride in his good relations with visitors, but it was his dedication to developing young golf professionals that made the most impact.
He said: “Greg Maybury’s legacy at Port Royal will be his encouragement of young Bermudians in the golf industry. He and Dennis Pilgrim, the golf course superintendent, practiced mentorship and the successful results have been demonstrated on the world stage during the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and the PGA Bermuda Championship. The young persons he has encouraged and mentored in the hospitality industry is a worthy legacy and today several have assumed leadership roles.”
In a Facebook announcement from Port Royal Golf Course:
“The Minister of Works Lt. Col. David Burch, Trustees, Management and Staff of Port Royal Golf Course & Ocean View Golf Courses regret to announce the death of our General Manager, Mr. Greg Maybury.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Donna Harvey-Maybury, son Greg Jr., Mother Mrs. KennethMaybury Sr., siblings Kenny “Ju Ju” Joanne and Perry, Family and Friends.
May he rest in peace.”
General Manager of Port Royal & Ocean View Golf Courses, Greg Maybury, age 65, died on January 1, following a battle with cancer. He served the courses since January 2012 in Southhampton, Bermuda.
January 1, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
Say it ain’t so—or, perhaps it should be: Hoodies on the golf course? With golf participation precariously on the decline, golf organizations are scratching their heads to come up with all things possible for attracting more young participants to the game. Fact is, fewer kids are taking up the sport and playing regularly, so the industry is left wondering what the future of golf looks like going forward.
Ask any golf club manager how things are going, and you’ll probably hear that memberships are also declining. If we take a look at Google Trends we can see that interest in the sport is being challenged each year. And while golf is still a huge worldwide sport, it has certainly been dropping in popularity over the past decade.
Perhaps a more lenient on-coures dress code would incentivise more young people to take up the game.
When English professional golfer Tyrrell Hatton wore a hoodie at Wentworth while warming up for the BMW PGA Championship, and then for the entirety of the tournament, which he won, patrons of the game around the world took note. Had the five-time winner on the European Tour just started a ‘hoodie on the golf course’ trend? Or controversy?
In case you aren’t hip to the vernacular, a hoodie is a shortened way of saying a hooded sweatshirt. After Hatton wore his we saw more and more players start to wear the popularized urban street fashion. Now, it has sparked a heated debate about proper attire on the golf course.
Should golfers be allowed to wear hoodies on the course? Should you only wear one when you play for leisure? How about wearing one during competitive play?
Some proponents of wearing a hoodie on-course say it is all about being comfortable, being able to swing the club while layered up underneath in a bit loose top, while still have ample room to move around and not be too confined.
There is also the option for wearing a hoodie that is a bit tighter, where you can easily throw something rainproof over it when conditions call for such additional coverage.
Those in support of on-course hoodie-wearing cite the added benefits of playing golf in a hoodie as being a warm top that covers your neck, ears, and arms. Also, hoodies are relatively inexpensive, $15 (more or less) can get you into a nice, wearable garment.
But if you decide to wear a hoodie on the course, take a look around, because your appearance will most likely be a conversation starter.
January 1, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
Was that 2019 Masters the ‘Big Cat’s’ last big tournament win? Thus asks some skeptics regarding the possibility of Tiger breaking the record for the most major titles won.
On January 30, Tiger Woods turned 45, and the human body at this age is just not the same as it was when we’re in our 20s, or 30s. Compare the hazards and injuries that have occurred over three decades of playing golf as an amateur and then as a pro, like they say—something’s gotta give.
Consider the massive beating and bang-ups of a pro golfing career, Tiger is probably managing a body that is comparable to someone who’s probably in their 60s (or older). But his beloved fanbase is ultimately positively-minded and see Tiger through rose-colored glasses, to these individuals he will be forever young!
However, regardless of his fantastic win at the 2019 Masters, turning 45-year-old is a reminder to Tiger that his days are numbered and the sun is setting on his attempts to reach the ever-elusive 19-major championship mark to best Jack Nicklaus by one and hold the all-time record or most majors won.
But Tiger has the uncanny ability to ‘pull-up’ from behind and we’ve witnessed this feat by him many times during his career. So, regardless of how terrible 2020 may have been for the former World No. 1, we may be in for a surprising sweep. But the odds are challenging; because thinking about it, no matter how optimistic you may be, No golfer has won a major after age 45. If Tiger does so, this will make him the fourth-oldest player to accomplish it. Only Old Tom Morris (1867 Open), Julius Boros (1968 PGA) and Jack Nicklaus (1986 Masters) would have won majors at an older age. Yes, we know Tiger is a truly exceptional player who has broken historical barriers many times, but, to overcome this marker, he will have to match the all-time majors won by golfers older than 45 years and 4 months just to tie Nicklaus. So, who’s betting on that?
Again, strongly consider this man’s battered human body— ‘Nuf said, because you are only as good at the tools you are working with.
Fans will no doubt enjoy continuing to watch Tiger play competitively and seem to already be addicted to watching him bring-up his son Charlie into the arena of golf. This is all fascinating, yet, in less than 100 days the Masters will tee off at Augusta Nation for 2021 and eyes will be glued to the field.
December 31, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
It’s not good end-of-the-year news for Donald Trump’s inaugural Scottish golf resort. The property has incurred losses of more than $1.5 Million, marking the eighth consecutive year that the outgoing President of the United States’ property has failed to turn a profit.
Newly published accounts lodged with Companies House show that Trump International Scotland in Aberdeenshire remains in the red, some 15 years after its incorporation, according to news from the Scotsman.com.
The accounting period covers the 12 months up to December 31, 2019. Keep in mind, this does not reflect the business disruption due as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. These losses are independent of that.
The filings show that Mr. Trump’s resort, opened in his Mother’s homeland, which he promises would be the “world’s greatest,” remains reliant on interest-free loans provided by the 74-year-old, reportedly worth $2.5 billion.
The property also owes nearly $5 million to its parent company, DJT Holdings LLC, a holding company tied to the Trump Organization’s international property portfolio – an increase of more than $1.5 million on the previous year. The company is ultimately owned by a New York state grantor trust set up in Mr. Trump’s name, reports the Scotsman.com
While it posted an annual turnover of nearly $4.5 million, the financial results mean that Mr. Trump’s resort in Balmedie has now run up cumulative losses of more than $14.3 million.
In its previous accounts, covering 2018, Trump International Scotland reported losses of $1.4 million, says scotsman.com, with a turnover of over $3.7 million. At the time, it employed 77 staff. The latest accounts put the staff headcount at 84.
It’s been 15 years since Mr. Trump, then best known for his reality television show appearances, incorporated Trump International Scotland’s corporate entity in October 2005. Plans for the resort were then submitted the following year by the Trump Organization. Amid much controversy by the Scottish Government, Trump received approval from the Scottish government in 2008, and the course opened four years later.
Trump International Scotland and the Trump Organisation have been approached for comment on the latest accounts.
December 31, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
Discover the Masters from the grandeur of the property. See what makes Augusta National so spectacular, from tees to fairways to crosswalks, the incredible stops for rest, relaxation and spectating.
When you come in, at the main scoreboard you’ll see the first green where the contours are unreal. Many players say it is the toughest hole on the 72-par course. Walking down the right side of the hole, this was a popular spot for photographers where they could easily capture the thousands of spectators, and see the expanse of the property.
Here, it’s all about tradition. But in 2019 a new tournament welcomed women: The inaugural Augusta Women’s Amateur (AMNWA). The event showcased the clout that this property attracts.
The beautiful 13th green is one of the best observation stops. The 11th, 12th, and 13th holes are called “Amen Corner.” When you come to Augusta National, this is the stop you must see and enjoy. Putting a folding chair here to sit and watch the amazing pro shots, you’ll see the flowering azaleas, dogwood trees and hear the birds overhead. Augusta National is breathtaking.
On these grounds are amazing stories, you can hear players talking, or meet-up with some friends, perhaps at the Amen Corner. Work your way back up to the clubhouse, where you can see the Masters scoreboard and finish-up your tour of these 18 immaculate holes.
December 30, 2020 | Op-Ed By Darwin Dean
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd lost his life while in the custody of Minneapolis police. About two months later, spurred by massive protest and civil unrest locally and around the world, the elected officials comprising the Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution that declared racism a public health emergency. The resolution notes that Minneapolis has some of the “starkest racial inequities in the country” in homeownership, poverty, and education.
The resolution goes on to commit to a “development of policies, practices and strategic investments to reverse racial inequities, eliminate institutional racism, and ensure that outcomes and opportunities for all people are no longer predictable by race….” Unfortunately, another group of elected officials, namely the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), is intending to ensure an outcome that is all too predictable by race.
Just two miles from the spot where George Floyd lost his life is the Hiawatha Golf Club, a championship-caliber 18-hole course under the jurisdiction of the MPRB. When it opened in 1934 following a recommendation by Minneapolis’ visionary park planner Theodore Wirth, Hiawatha was one of the few courses in America to welcome African Americans.
To this day, Hiawatha is the most popular local course for people of color and is referred to by many as the “Diversity Country Club.” As a longtime avid golfer myself, I can attest to the quality of Hiawatha Golf Club. It’s a beautiful course that tests the skills of even the most accomplished players. And as President of the Upper Midwest Bronze Amateur Memorial Golf Tournament and Junior Bronze Golf Tournament, which were born at Hiawatha, I can attest that it is an invaluable and irreplaceable regional resource for Black players of all ages.
Moreover, the course is used by more than a dozen male and female high school and college golf teams. But now the MPRB plans to reduce Hiawatha to a 9-hole course and use the remaining space for recreational opportunities such as kayaking and bike trails. It’s not like these opportunities don’t exist in the area: Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is right across the street and Minnehaha Regional Park is just a few blocks away. The Park Board’s rationale for cutting the course in half is that the space is needed to address periodic flooding of the course from excess water in Minnehaha Creek, which runs through Hiawatha, and from stormwater that has been diverted to the lake since 2012.
Flooding is a problem, to be sure. Indeed, Wirth in the late 1920s advocated constructing the golf course and creating the adjacent Lake Hiawatha to address the issue of high water levels in the area. But today those issues can be addressed through other means such as creative redesign of the course, improved stormwater management, and implementation of water storage measures upstream where most of the excess water originates (Lake Minnetonka).
The Park Board is using the water issue as a ruse to cover up a simple land-grab. The Executive Summary of MPRB’s Draft Hiawatha Golf Course Area Master Plan states that a 9-hole course would “provide golf and golf learning opportunities equitably to youth and other underrepresented community members.” Wrong. Hiawatha provides those opportunities now. Converting it to a 9-hole course would take away those opportunities.
Half a golf course means half as many golfers, and any golfer will tell you that there’s simply no comparison between a 9-hole course and a championship, 18-hole course. The MPRB has held several listening sessions about their proposed changes to Hiawatha, but some of the board’s commissioners have not been listening to people of color. I have communicated with approximately 200 such individuals, including members of the Old Negro Golf League, the Sterling Club, the Bronze Tournament community, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, participants in the Hiawatha men’s and women’s leagues, the First Tee program, athletic directors of area schools, students, and other golf enthusiasts regarding the Park Board’s Master Plan for Hiawatha Golf Course.
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To a person, they are opposed to losing 18 holes of golf at this historic course. On September 25, 2020, I sent a letter to each of the commissioners requesting that they conduct an independent Racial Equity Impact Assessment. I have yet to receive a response from any of them. One of the leading advocates of the proposed Hiawatha redevelopment is Steffanie Musich, the MPRB commissioner representing the 5th District, which includes both Hiawatha Golf Club and the street corner where George Floyd lost his life.
In various public settings, I have heard Commissioner Musich express a desire to listen to Black voices and her preference for cutting the Hiawatha Golf Course in half. This same commissioner also voted against expunging the name of slavery promoter John C. Calhoun from the parkways around Bde Maka Ska.The Park Board does include commissioners in favor of preserving Hiawatha. Commissioner At Large Londel French, in an August 2019 Facebook post, wrote, “If anybody is was wondering how I feel about the Hiawatha Golf Course. This place means so much to so many people who look like me. I see it as my duty to make sure we don’t forget the struggles that made us who we are today.
Hiawatha was the only place that Black folks could play golf in Minnesota. When everyone else closed the door to Black folks playing golf Hiawatha said yes. This legacy must be protected.”Commissioner Kale Severson, representing the 2nd District, has been passionate about preserving the historic course and allocating monies from the project budget to repair the crumbling infrastructure of the greater Minneapolis park system. He has also recommended hiring a new golf course designer to develop a plan to preserve both the 18-hole course and the environment. Commissioner AK Hassan of the 3rd District, in a December 2019 Facebook post, wrote, “I’m particularly disappointed in Commissioner Jono Cowgill and Commissioner Steffanie Musich for having one position when the cameras were on and another behind closed doors. This is not the type of representation that our community deserves and our Somali youth deserve to know when our community are being used as bargaining chips in dark rooms.”
Now is the time to save the historic, 18-hole Hiawatha Golf Club.
Darwin Dean is the Founder of Original Golf 18, a Facebook community group that was formed to promote the Save Hiawatha Golf 18-Holes cause. Its mission is to make the public aware of the historic significance of this site.
Editor’s Note: This article is submitted by Darwin Dean as contributed content under our blog policy.
December 31, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
In trying to plan a safe Masters Tournament for spectators and players, the ticketing process for the 2021 Championship has been delayed.
This first major of the season hopes to resume spectator participation which was banned due to the national coronavirus pandemic and moved from April to November.
The countdown to the first round of the April 8, 2021 Championship is just 100 days away, so the pressure is on organizers to quickly make a decision.
“As planning continues on how to stage the 2021 Masters Tournament safely and responsibly, we would like to inform you that Augusta National is delaying the ticket process for Patron Series Badges, which traditionally begins Jan. 1,” the club said in an email to ticket holders.
“Our intention is to communicate our decisions for the 2021 Masters to all patrons of record by the end of January. No further action is needed with your account at this time.”
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Patron Series Badges give badge holders access to the four-tournament rounds only and do not include practice rounds. The cost of a badge for 2020 was to be $375, and when the Masters announced in August that it would play in November without spectators, it offered to defer those badges to 2021.
When it comes to accessing practice rounds, spectator tickets are distributed for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday by way of a lottery which is conducted the previous spring. Due to the pandemic, tickets for these events were also deferred to 2021.
Since all tickets and badges for these Masters events have been pre-sold, Augusta National Golf Club is put in a precarious position, trying to figure out how to resume operations with presumably a smaller number of spectators allowed on site. In the email, the club thanked its patrons for “continued patience” as it looks to communicate a definitive answer.
Crowd sizes are not announced, but it is generally believed that around 30,000 series badges are sold, according to ESPN.com. Trying to reduce that number down to about half will be a challenge, maybe only allowing for a limited number of days or, again, deferring attendance a year.
Masters chairman Fred Ridley said in November that he hopes the “tournament in April will be more normal than it is now,” but Ridley could not provide any such assurances, and understandingly so, with the constantly changing pandemic situation across the country.
“We would need to see objective data that would give us a high level of confidence that we could bring large numbers of people onto the grounds for April,” Ridley said on Nov 11. “I think the vaccine — I don’t want to get into medical prognostications — but just logically as a lay person, the vaccine, while it will be wonderful when it happens, there are all kinds of issues that point to beyond April [for the vaccine] as the silver bullet.
“As it relates to [COVID-19] testing, there are some real opportunities there. Our staff has been exploring those very deeply. We have a number of people who are very interested in helping us. It is something we will be looking very hard at. It’ll be a wonderful circumstance if we could test large numbers of people.”
To proceed in hosting the 2020 Masters this past November, spectators were only admitted to the grounds once they showed proof of having a negative COVID-19 test. Organizers also administered rapid-response tests through a local pharmacy, however, perhaps fewer than 2,000 people received these tests, according to ESPN.com.
Although Ausugta Nationa may have no problem with the financial costs required to having all spectators undergo testing, along with arranging access for acres of parking facilities, the overall effort would be huge undertaking.
December 28, 2020 | By Dr. H. J. Harris
As we close out the year 2020 and prepare for the new year, I ask myself, “Where is the America I was taught to trust and believe in?”
“Did America die? When did this happen?”
Things are taking place right now in our country that I thought could never happen in this land of the free and home of the brave.
Perhaps America died when certain leaders and their enablers refused to accept the findings – of the US Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the Election Security Agency, and virtually every other court and state election board – that the 2020 election was fair, proper, and free of election fraud that could change the outcome of the will of the American voters.
When the validated vote of the American people – the cornerstone of the American democracy – was disputed by certain leaders with baseless, false, unsupported allegations of election fraud.
Perhaps America died when it became clear that certain leaders cared more about political advantage or philosophy than they cared about the suffering of the American people.
I found it hard to understand how certain leaders could assert that an extra $600 or $1,200 would make suffering, jobless Americans lazy, complacent, and not seek employment. Can these leaders not see, from their high and lofty political towers, the suffering and death that Americans are experiencing in a pandemic that shows no mercy?
Perhaps America died when certain leaders for selfish reasons, or because they have so little faith in the American people, that they hid or lied about the existence and true impact of the deadly corona virus. Had they forgotten that Americans are strong resilient people who have faced the hardships and challenges of two world wars and many other horrific assaults on the American dream?
Perhaps America died when the free press was attacked with claims of fake news and alternate facts.
The free press that American has relied on to provide news based on truth and justice is undermined and discredited to create confusion and uncertainty. This is the same free press that held the powerful accountable – in Watergate – or called attention to suffering and injustice – in the civil rights era.
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Perhaps America died when a white policeman murdered George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for over eight minutes. The world watched in real time as George Floyd cried for help and called for his dead mother, as the life drained from his body onto a hard, cold Minneapolis street.
Certain leaders chose to ignore George Floyd’s murder and systemic racism, and instead to focus on looting and burning – deflecting attention from the cancer that has festered on the soul of America for over 240 years.
Perhaps America died when it was acceptable for armed citizens to threaten public officials doing their lawful jobs, or invade state capitals, while our political and religious leaders silently acquiesce and do nothing.
Perhaps America died when politicians and political parties make concerted efforts to disenfranchise black, brown, red and poor Americans from the sanctity of their votes.
Perhaps America died when untruths and lies are told with such passion and frequency that good people believe them as truth and act thereon.
Perhaps America died when good people must be brave, courageous, and fearless to stand up for what is right – to stand up for the values that America claims to represent.
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Perhaps America died when leaders wave the American flag and copies of the Constitution as true patriots when inside they are hypocrites and hungry wolves seeking to devour the last vestiges of truth and honor that the founding fathers, with their flaws, proclaimed so clearly.
Perhaps America died at Sandy Hook Elementary School when 20 children and 6 staff members were killed by a gunman who had no mercy. When the cries of the American public for sensible gun control were heard, they were arrogantly ignored by politicians who were more beholding to the gun lobby than to the will of the American people.
As I reflect on the history and spirit of America, the high ideal and authenticity of the American promise has consistently and continuously been assaulted and attacked by the forces of evil, while political, religious, and spiritual leaders stand by in silent acquiescence as the Golden Rule is abandoned, forgotten, and trampled underfoot.
Abraham Lincoln understood the challenge when he said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
Lincoln proclaimed that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Many years before uttered these powerful words – when the founding fathers ignored the sin of slavery and incorporated it into the creation of this nation – the die was cast: the house divided against itself became the seed that grew into the America that we now experience today.
History reveals that these founding fathers were enlightened men who understood the spiritual dilemma. But they accepted it, participated, and perpetuated it in search of a new government.
They understood that there was a more perfect union, but they could not create it because of their own addiction to or acceptance of slavery.
For over 240 years, America has been engaged in a battle with itself over this spiritual dilemma.
A dilemma so profound that over 600,000 Americans were killed in the civil war
A dilemma so profound that our hallowed institutions from the Supreme Court to local governments and agencies struggle to resolve it.
A single blow does not kill the giant. A thousand small blows of hypocrisy, lies, deception, injustice, and insincere apologies weaken the giant until it is no morel
Perhaps America dies a little each day as the smoldering embers of racism and injustice are fanned by flawed leaders who proclaim the American dream for some, while subjecting other Americans to unspeakable suffering of fear, poverty, injustice, and pandemic.
Perhaps America dies when our citizens, our political leaders, and most of all our religious leaders stand by in quiet acquiescence, as our country turns it back on the Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Our children are watching. What example shall we give?
We have a choice. We as Americans can be the “better angles” that Abraham Lincoln described in his First Inaugural Address: we can follow the light and walk the talk so eloquently set forth by the founding fathers – “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Or we can continue in the darkness of bitter division and build our house upon the sands of hypocrisy, injustice, and fear … and when the rains descend, and floods come, and the winds blow and beat upon the house that is America, it will fall, and great will be the fall of it.
When did America die?
The answer America is not in our stars, but in ourselves.
© 2020 LifeSkill Institute, Inc., PO Box 302, Wilmington, NC 28402
Email: [email protected] Website:www.solvingtheraceissue.com
December 28, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the sudden passing of one of golf’s most promising players, Cody Matthews of Costa Mesa, California. Regarding the December 18 death of Cody, Kenneth Bentley, CEO, Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour (APGAT) shared the following via email:
“One of our long-time players Cody Matthews passed away on Friday. He was 31-years old. He got a stomach infection that spread throughout his body and stopped his heart. Cody embodied the struggle our guys go through. He loved the game and was caddying and doing odd jobs to get enough money to play our tour full time. He had a ton of talent and when I talked with him at our Tour Championship he felt like 2021 was going to be his year…….From Ken Bentley.“
Cole Smith, Executive Director, APGA Tour/Advocates Foundation provides this additional information:
“I thought you might be interested in supporting this GoFundMe, https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-for-cody-matthews?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet.
Even a small donation could help Jon McClain reach their fundraising goal. And if you can’t make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word.
Thanks for taking a look!”
Cole Smith
Executive Director
APGA Tour / Advocates Foundation
(888) 600 – 0483 Ext 1
[email protected]
APGATour.org
AdvocatesFoundation.org
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October 30, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
Highly competitive golfer and well-respected instructor Mackenzie Mack has accepted the position of Leadership Rotational Program Business Specialist with Callaway Golf, an American global sports equipment company that designs, manufactures, markets and sells golf equipment products. Mack has a long history of success with golf instruction and she has put her skills to practical use teaching youth the basics and the importance of the game.
Mack, an Indiana State University Graduate, previously served for two years with the Tennessee Golf Foundation (TGF) as the Associate Executive Director and West Tennessee Regional Director. In this position, she delivers all junior golf programming in West Tennessee.
“I will miss the TGF family and Memphis Community as they welcomed me with open arms but I am also excited about this new adventure!!!” said Mack, on her Facebook page.
“I will be the FIRST selected to their Leadership Rotational Program at their worldwide headquarters in Carlsbad, California. The program is designed to provide exceptional industry leaders with hands-on manufacturing/retail experience across various Callaway business units as well as one-on-one coaching/mentorship with the goal of cultivating the next generation of leadership at Callaway Golf Company.”
Introduced to the game by her mom, Mack, was the fifth African American woman to be admitted to the ranks of the PGA of America with Class A PGA Membership. The 2018 LPGA National Junior Golf Leader, is a Golf Digest Best Young Teacher in America, an inductee to the African American Golfer’s Hall of Fame, and also played collegiate golf and completed her MBA at Indiana State University.
As the author of The Women’s Golf College Directory and The Men’s Golf College Directory, both are compiled resources to provide a quick reference for young female and male golfers researching college options, Mack is just one of 168 Black PGA Professionals. She will relocate from Memphis, Tenn., to begin her duties with Callaway Golf in Carlsbad, Calif.