Uncategorized

Seventy Organizations Across the U.S. Selected to Receive Funding Through Make Golf Your Thing Grassroots Grants Program

by AAGD NEWSWIRE
written by AAGD NEWSWIRE
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL (June 6, 2025) – Seventy organizations across the United States with programs reaching those underrepresented in golf have been selected to receive funding through the Make Golf Your Thing Grassroots Grants Program. The program is administered by American Golf Industry Coalition, and was created to help strengthen the game by making it more inclusive and accessible to all. 

Launched in 2020, the grants program – through its latest round of funding – is distributing $500,000 to grassroots organizations nationwide, bringing the total program investment to $3 million over six years. 
The grants program was established to support organizations and programs that are strengthening golf by opening doors and inviting more people from historically underrepresented groups to experience the sport, including Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous communities, as well as women, LGBTQI+ individuals, Veterans, and individuals with disabilities. 

This collective industry effort is showing meaningful results. According to the National Golf Foundation, golf participation reached 47.2 million Americans in 2024 – a 50% increase over the past decade. Ethnically diverse participation has grown, increasing 44% since 2020, with 6.9 million ethnically diverse people playing on-course golf in 2024, and for the first time, representing a quarter of all on-course players. Female participation has similarly grown, with 7.9 million women playing on-course golf in 2024 – a 41% increase since 2019. Women now account for 28% of all on-course participants and represent more than 60% of golf’s participation gains since 2019. 

“Golf is an important aspect of our country and our communities, contributing to the economy as well as the well-being of people who get involved,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of American Golf Industry Coalition, a division of World Golf Foundation. “These grassroots organizations are doing incredible work to ensure golf is accessible and inviting to people from all backgrounds, identities and abilities. Thank you to our partners who are investing in golf’s future through this program.” 

Seven organizations have demonstrated exceptional commitment to inclusive golf programming by receiving grants funding in each of the program’s six cycles: FairWays to Leadership, Golf. My Future. My Game., Greater Cleveland Junior Golf Scholarship Fund, Jackson Park Golf Association, Par Excellence Youth Development, Women in Golf Foundation, and Women of Color Golf. 

The grants program is administered by American Golf Industry Coalition and made possible through the generous support of industry partners. Make Golf Your Thing was launched in 2020 as a multi-faceted, multi-year initiative that reflects the industry’s commitment to ensure the future of golf remains open to everyone. The initiative supports grassroots organizations working to welcome new participants to golf while building pathways for long-term engagement with the sport. Learn more at MakeGolfYourThing.org.

For a complete list of grants recipients, visit www.golfcoalition.org/grassrootsgrants.  
About the American Golf Industry Coalition (AGIC)The American Golf Industry Coalition is a partnership among golf’s leading organizations working to collectively tell the story of golf’s contributions to the economy, health and wellness benefits, charitable giving, and environmental and sustainability initiatives. The coalition unites the industry in pursuit of goals designed to enhance the vitality of both the business and recreational levels of the sport.
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsObituariesSlider

Charles Ross Lightfoot Passes Away

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff
November 22, 1953 – April 12, 2025

Charles Ross Lightfoot, age 71, of Ozone Park, New York passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The news was confirmed by his daughter, Tiani Allen-Lightfoot.

Charles Ross Lightfoot, founder of the Brooklyn (NY) Junior Autistic Golfers Academy (BJAGA), passed away leaving behind a powerful legacy of advocacy, inclusion, and love for the game of golf. A pioneer in adaptive golf instruction, Charles was the heart behind BJAGA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to introducing golf to children on the autism spectrum and other underserved youth, including transgender and nonbinary children.

With more than 25 years of experience as a golf writer, trainer, and consultant, Charles developed a non-traditional teaching method that earned him widespread respect in the global golf community. As Founder and Director of the Advanced Lesson Academy of Golf in Brooklyn, he transformed lives by making golf fun, accessible, and empowering for young players of all abilities. His thoughtful instruction emphasized fundamentals such as full swing and short game techniques, chipping, pitching, pre-shot routines, and confidence-building drills—all delivered on real grass tees in a nurturing environment.

Charles Lightfoot

Charles’s contributions extended beyond the golf course. His work was recognized in 2014 when he was named Master Teaching Professional of the Year by the African American Golfer’s Digest. Since 2012, he served as a contributing writer, travel columnist, and blogger for the publication, sharing stories that elevated the voices of the Black golf community and promoted equity in the sport.

Known for his larger-than-life personality, generosity, and unwavering devotion to his students, Charles created safe and joyful spaces where children could thrive. His passion and commitment to giving back will live on in every young golfer who picked up a club through one of his programs.

“Charles Lightfoot will be dearly missed but never forgotten,” said African American Golfer’s Digest Publisher Debert Cook. “He was an individual whose legacy is that of helping others.” CLICK TO VIEW OBITUARY

Visitation for Charles was held Friday, April 25, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and religious ceremony occurred Friday, April 25, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at Werst & LaBella Funeral Home, 71-41 Cooper Ave, Glendale, NY 11385. A committal service took place on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at The Evergreens Cemetery, 1629 Bushwick Ave, New York, NY 11207.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Community NewsSlider

The International Association of Blacks In Dance Launches A National Campaign Titled “Black Is American Art” Celebrating Black Excellence and Honoring Black Legacies

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

(Washington, DC – June 3, 2025) – The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) is proud to announce the launch of its national campaign, Black is American Art, debuting in June 2025 in honor of Juneteenth. This bold initiative centers the legacy, innovation, and enduring impact of Black artists whose work defines and drives American culture.

This groundbreaking campaign aims to highlight and celebrate the profound contributions of Black artists and creators throughout American history. From the tendu to the brushstroke, from the stage to the street, Black creativity is not a contribution—it is the core. Black is American Art is a national call to recognize, respect, and revere Black artistry as foundational to American culture.

“We are excited to launch this campaign, which honors the legacy and influence of Black artists who have shaped the American cultural landscape,” said Omar Ingram, Executive Director of IABD. “Through this initiative, we aim to amplify Black voices, inspire future generations of creators, and bring art back to all people.”

The campaign will roll out in phases across the next several months, spotlighting dancers, choreographers, visual artists, musicians, writers, and cultural workers whose contributions shape our nation’s artistic identity.

The campaign will feature:

Digital Engagement: Highlights across IABD’s platforms using the hashtag #BlackIsAmericanArt, including video stories, vintage footage, and community voices.

Press Features & Essays: Thought pieces, press interviews, and artist testimonials uplifting the lived experiences and creative visions of Black artists.

Community Events: From June through October, IABD will collaborate with partners and institutions to host panel discussions, social campaigns, and interactive workshops.

The campaign will announce other “Black is American Art” activations later on in the Fall for more community dialogue and celebration.

To stay connected and follow the journey, visit www.iabdassociation.organd follow @IABDINC on Instagram and Facebook.

About the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD)

For over 30 years, The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) has preserved and promoted dance by people of African ancestry or origin and has assisted and increased opportunities for artists in advocacy, audience development, education, funding, networking, performance, philosophical dialogue, and touring. A National Medal of Arts recipient, IABD serves a diverse, national and international membership that spans cultures and generations. IABD’s vision is for dance, by people of African ancestry or origin, to be revered, respected, and preserved in the consciousness and cultural institutions of all people. Through its tireless efforts in the arts and culture sector, IABD validates the significant connections and influence that Blacks in Dance have on the American and international cultural landscape. IABD’s work is rich with insights, knowledge, and expertise vital to current and future Black Dance professionals and the dance sector at large. iabdassociation.org

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsSlider

Hear How Businessman Craig Kirby Sustains A Life of Leadership from Boardroom to Fairway— Tune In Opus Network on June 24th

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

Craig Kirby, Founder & CEO, Golf. My Future. My Game.

From the boardroom to the campaign trail, the university lecture hall to the golf course, Craig Kirby has taken the lead in a multitude of situations that has forged his path as the Founder and CEO of the non-profit foundation Golf. My Future. My Game.

Appointed as a Director of the Western Golf Association; he is an Advisory Board Member for the National Golf Player Development Foundation (NGPDF); a member of the PGA of America Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Talent Acquisition Work Group and Co-Chair of the Make Golf Your Thing HBCU Golf Consortium working with the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities to increase workforce diversity and awareness of careers within the golf industry, additionally he sits on the DEI Advisory Board of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the CitySwing Foundation and is a Founding Member of the American Golf Industry Coalition Grassroots Grants Program Committee which provides funding to community-based golf organizations throughout the United States.

Craig, inducted into the 2024 African American Golfers Hall of Fame is a recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Alumni award from his alma mater Albion College and a distinguished graduate of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Leadership in the 21st Century Executive Program.

His numerous accomplishments include: A Certificate of Achievement from the Center for Popular Economics at Amherst College, Special Assistant to the White House Chief of Staff; President of the American Student Association; Southern Political Director and Director, Office of the Vice Chairs, Democratic National Committee, President, Men of St. John’s at St. John’s College High School (Washington, D.C.) and a contestant on Season 1 of the ABC Networks Holey Moley.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsSliderTournaments

Mississippi’s Three Major Universities Set To Host Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational Oct 17-20

by AAGD NEWSWIRE
written by AAGD NEWSWIRE

Third annual tournament welcomes 14 of the nation’s top college golf programs

BILOXI, Miss. (June 5, 2025) – The University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, and the University of Southern Mississippi will host the 3rd Annual Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational Oct. 17-20, 2025. Fourteen of the nation’s top golf programs, including seven teams that made the 2025 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships, will tee it up at the Tom Fazio-designed masterpiece consistently ranked by Golf Digest, Golf and Golfweek as Mississippi’s top course. This year’s field will include Alabama, Arkansas, Chattanooga, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, UNLV, and Wisconsin.

“The University of Mississippi is pleased to partner once again with Mississippi State and Southern Miss to host this prestigious event,” said Golfweek’s 2025 Coach of the Year, Ole Miss Golf Coach Chris Malloy. “I’m proud of my guys for making it to this year’s NCAA championship, and congratulations to Michael La Sasso for being crowned the 2025 NCAA Individual Champion. We look forward to hosting golf’s next generation of champions to competitive play at Fallen Oak, one of the most spectacular courses in the country.”

The three-day, 54-hole tournament will begin on Saturday, Oct. 18, with the first-round shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. and conclude on Monday, Oct. 20. Each university will compete for the team championship with five male student-athletes playing and four low scores counting each day. A collegiate-am day will precede the tournament on Friday, Oct. 17.

The 3rd Annual Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational will offer a family-friendly College Game Day atmosphere with tailgating and the re-creation of the Ole Miss Grove on the finishing hole. Whether a cow bell ringing Mississippi State Bulldog, an LSU Tiger, or a Southern Miss Golden Eagle singing “To the Top,” all are invited and encouraged to wear school colors and cheer on their team. The event is free and open to the public from Saturday through Monday.

“This event brings so much talent to our Gulf Coast, and we are excited to announce another year with an even stronger field,” said Billy Thornton, Chairman of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic Foundation, which funds the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase our legendary Southern hospitality and beautiful Coast to these collegiate standouts while providing a free family event for locals and fans from around the country to enjoy.”

For more information about Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational sponsorships, contact [email protected].
For media assets, visit Beau Rivage Digital Newsroom.

Commitments from the organizations below have made this event possible.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsSlider

Walk With Purpose This Summer With The Junior Caddie Program at Langston Golf Course

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

Junior caddies have returned to historic Langston Golf Course as part of the Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program, an initiative designed to provide youth with valuable work experience while supporting their educational ambitions. By choosing to walk with a caddie, golfers not only enjoy the game in a more engaging and traditional way, but also contribute to the personal and professional growth of local youth.

Each loop that a junior caddie completes is a step forward toward eligibility for the prestigious Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Program. This program awards full tuition and housing college scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country, helping to shape the next generation of leaders through the game of golf.

Currently, junior caddies are available on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the school year. Once school is out for the summer, caddies will be available seven days a week. There are no caddie fees thanks to the support of the Western Golf Association, but a gratuity of $40 per bag is strongly encouraged in appreciation of the caddies’ service and dedication.

The Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program is a partnership effort that includes the National Links Trust, a nonprofit organization committed to protecting and promoting affordable, accessible, and engaging municipal golf. Through its programs and stewardship of historic public golf courses like Langston, the National Links Trust works to ensure golf remains a welcoming and inclusive sport.

To book a round at Langston, visit PlayDCGolf.com. To request a junior caddie for your round, go to NationalLinksTrust.org/caddies. By taking a caddie, you’re not just enhancing your golf experience—you’re investing in the future of a young person in your community.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsTournamentsUncategorized

MANCATION #20: A Legendary Celebration of Brotherhood and Birdies

by Dr. Al B. Quarles, Jr.
written by Dr. Al B. Quarles, Jr.

Over a hundred golf enthusiasts gathered in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, for an unforgettable celebration of camaraderie, competition, and culture at the Bogey Boyz Golf Club MANCATION #20, proudly sponsored by Dr. Al Quarles of Bucka Fogey Sports. From May 15–19, 2025, 103 men came together from as far away as Germany for a milestone event that blended premium golf with luxury accommodations and the unshakable bonds of brotherhood.

The Scene: Golf & Luxury

Guests arrived Thursday and made Williamsburg their home base through Monday, settling into the Greenspring Vacation Resort. With fully furnished condos, private bedrooms, and deluxe amenities, it was the perfect setting for rest, relaxation, and reconnection.

The Courses: Challenging & Scenic

The group teed it up at three premier courses:

The Events: Celebration, Flavor & Fire

In classic Bogey Boyz fashion, the trip wasn’t all birdies and bogeys—it was also packed with signature experiences:

  • Cigar Carnival at Dawg Houz Cigars – a smoky, soulful gathering of fine cigars, music, and memories.
  • Epic 4-Day Fish Fry – masterfully prepared by Darrell Lewis, this culinary tradition served as the heartbeat of the weekend’s hospitality, with crispy, golden perfection served up daily.

The Champions: Rising to the Occasion

The Alfred B. Quarles Sr. Memorial Club Championship crowned this year’s best:

  • Overall Champion: Ryan Sanders
  • Senior Champion: Herbert White
  • B Flight Champion: Shelton Gillie
  • C Flight Champion: Allen Perry

Each golfer walked away with more than bragging rights, they left with memories etched in iron and fairways.

What’s Next: Paradise Awaits

The Bogey Boyz are already gearing up for the next two signature events:

  • Fall Classic: October 15–19, 2025, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, at the luxurious Hilton Rose Hall and stunning Cinnamon Hill Golf Course.
  • MANCATION #21: May 20–24, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a golf mecca ready to host another unforgettable chapter.

To learn more about future Bogey Boyz events or connect with Bucka Fogey Sports, email [email protected]

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsSliderTournaments

Bailey Davis captures THE JOHN SHIPPEN, Women’s Invitational presented by Dow, secures spot in two Michigan LPGA Tour events

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

University of Tennessee product and White Plains, Maryland native earns exemptions to compete in the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, June 12-15 at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, and the Dow Championship June 26-29 in Midland

DETROIT (June 4, 2025) – Bailey Davis, a 22-year-old University of Tennessee product and native of White Plains, Maryland, has earned exemptions to compete in two LPGA tournaments – the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give and the Dow Championship – after winning THE JOHN SHIPPEN Women’s Invitational presented by Dow at Plum Hollow Country Club in Southfield, Michigan this week.

Davis will tee it up alongside the world’s best female golfers at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give starting Thursday, June 12, after shooting 68-76—144 at Plum Hollow on Tuesday and Wednesday to earn a four-stroke victory at the SHIPPEN event. Davis and her Allyn Stephens will also compete in the Dow Championship starting Thursday, June 26, in Midland, Michigan. The Dow is a team event, and Davis chose Stephens as her teammate.

(L-R) Bailey Davis, with her mother Marlene Annoni (photo: THE JOHN SHIPPEN)

Davis is the first amateur to win THE JOHN SHIPPEN Women’s Invitational presented by Dow in its five-year history.

THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Invitational is a series of competitions created to provide playing opportunities on the LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR for the nation’s top Black amateur and professional women and men golfers. The series includes THE JOHN SHIPPEN Women’s Invitational presented by Dow and THE JOHN SHIPPEN Men’s Invitational presented by Rocket. The events are named after John Shippen, Jr., who was both the first American-born golf professional and the country’s first Black golf professional.

Bailey Davis (photo THE JOHN SHIPPEN)

Davis edged former SHIPPEN champion Anita Uwadia by four strokes, and despite not playing her best round Wednesday, gave herself enough of a cushion Tuesday by birdieing four of five holes from the sixth through the 10th and playing bogey-free golf over her last 13 holes of the opening round.

Anita Uwadia

“I feel good. I’m excited. I was nervous throughout the day but I’m really excited now,” Davis said. “The greens were really tough because they were very fast. It was really important to stay below the hole today. Today was so tough, and I wasn’t really playing well, so I was just thinking I’m glad that I got the job done.

“I think it’s really important (for THE JOHN SHIPPEN to provide opportunities like these) because you don’t really see anybody out there that looks like us. So with girls, they don’t really want to get into the sport because it’s intimidating when you don’t see anyone who looks like them.”

Davis won the 2020 Maryland State Girls Amateur and was a three-time Maryland 4A high school champion. In 2021, she became just the second Black golfer to advance to a U.S. Girls’ Junior final before falling to Rose Zhang at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Davis played in the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, and she entered the Dow Championship in 2023 when the low amateur from the SHIPPEN, Christina Carroll, was given an exemption and she chose Bailey as her partner.

THE JOHN SHIPPEN was created to identify historical barriers, expand Black representation in golf, and address the lack of Black representation in business and leadership roles within the golf and larger sports industry for people of color.

Since 2021, 90 of the nation’s best Black men and women golfers have competed in THE JOHN SHIPPEN. THE JOHN SHIPPEN has awarded 16 playing opportunities on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour, and donated $340,000 to local charities, scholarships and fellowships. SHIPPEN alumni continue to see success beyond the National Invitational through player-earned memberships on the PGA TOUR Champions, PGA TOUR Americas and Ladies European Tours.

Intersport, a leading Chicago-based sports marketing and media agency, partnered with Woods & Watts Effect in 2021 to create THE JOHN SHIPPEN – a series of competitions created to provide playing opportunities on the LPGA Tour and PGA TOUR for the nation’s top Black women and men golfers.  

THE JOHN SHIPPEN was created to identify historical barriers, expand Black representation in golf, and address the lack of Black representation in business and leadership roles within the golf and larger sports industry for people of color. The events are named after John Shippen, Jr., who was both the first American-born golf professional and the country’s first Black golf professional.

Since 2021, 90 of the nation’s best Black women and men golfers have competed in THE JOHN SHIPPEN. THE JOHN SHIPPEN has awarded 19 playing opportunities on the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour, and donated more than $300,000 to local charities, scholarships and fellowships. SHIPPEN alumni continue to see success beyond the National Invitational through player-earned memberships on the PGA TOUR Champions, PGA TOUR Americas and Ladies European Tours.

In 2022, Women’s Invitational champion Sadena Parks paired with 2021 winner Uwadia at the Dow Invitational and finished tied for 36th, becoming the first SHIPPEN champions to make a cut after securing a start in an event based on their results at THE JOHN SHIPPEN.

The 2023 season was another historic one for THE JOHN SHIPPEN, as, for the first time in the event’s history, the Men’s Invitational champion, Chase Johnson, made the cut at the PGA TOUR’s Rocket Classic.

Last year, Women’s Invitational champion Georgia Oboh teamed with Lakareber Abe to finish tied for eighth at the Dow Championship, the best finish in an LPGA Tour or PGA TOUR event for a SHIPPEN winner. The 2024 season was also a notable one for a former SHIPPEN winner, as Tim O’Neal, the 2021 Men’s Invitational champion, secured his first victory in a PGA TOUR Champions event, winning the Dominion Energy Classic. It marked the first victory for a former winner of a SHIPPEN event on one of professional golf’s top tours.

Next up is the 36-hole JOHN SHIPPEN Men’s Invitational on June 21-22 at Detroit Golf Club.

For updated information on THE JOHN SHIPPEN, please visit www.TheJohnShippen.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@TheJohnShippen) and Twitter (@TheJShippen). For information about sponsorship opportunities or how to get involved, please email us at [email protected].

###

About Intersport

Intersport is an award-winning agency and leader in the creation of ideas, content and experiences that attract and engage passionate audiences. Its industry-leading team offers expert insights in content marketing, customer engagement, experiential marketing, hospitality, production and sponsorship consulting. The Chicago-based agency also owns and operates events across the professional and collegiate sports landscape, including basketball, football, golf, pickleball and volleyball. In addition to launching and operating the PGA TOUR’s Rocket Classic, Intersport is the proud operator of other world-class, ground-breaking golf properties such as The Jackson T. Stephens Cup, THE JOHN SHIPPEN National Golf Invitational and the World Champions Cup. Intersport has been headquartered in Chicago since its inception in 1985, with additional offices in Boston, Detroit and New York. Learn more at www.intersport.global/ and on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook).

About Woods & Watts Effect

Woods & Watts Effect is an equity and inclusion consulting firm of transformation engineers, co- founded by Sommer Woods and Michele Lewis Watts, Ph.D. They are a solutions-driven team that adeptly designs programs that assess a company’s strengths and areas for improvement relative to inclusion and social equity. Woods & Watts Effect is innovative in their thinking, their engagement and their execution. Through a bold, non-traditional and engaging approach, they produce viable and actionable solutions for sustainable change. More information is available at WoodsWattsEffect.com.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
SliderTournaments

James Black Memorial Classic Results 2025

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

James Black Memorial Classic Golf Tournament
Monday – June 2, 2025 (Captain’s Choice)
Pine Island Country Club – Charlotte, North Carolina
Blue Tee Yards 6377, Slope 70.9/137, White Tee Yards 5974, Slope 68.9/126
Gold Tee Yards 5431, Slope 66.3/121, Green Tee Yards 4865, Slope 64.1/110
Par 71

GroupPlayersScore
1Kendu Dunlap – Gregg Kidd – Allen Blackwell – Tim Proper53
2Bobby Ellis – Andre Springs – Aniyah Starnes – Anthony Sowell53
3James “Slim” Bouler – Tommy Padgett – Ronny “Hipper” Hopper – Earl Davis54
4James Bogatay – Nick Dipola – Fred Sheffield – Mike James55
5Norman Black – George Blackmon – Joseph Dent – Ervin Jenkins55
6Andre Robinson – Chris Ingram – Anthony Martin – Colonel Hopper56
7Dee Decosta – Jamel Austin – Jason Jenkins – Harvey “Doc” Harris56
8Jewel Love – Michael Rodriguez – Rick Best – DeJuan Powell57
9Jay Baitz – Luke Cochran – Sonny Kim – Wes Jones57
10Dennis Summers – Phil Neely – Randy Coates – Frank “Figge” Brice57
11Leon Simmons – Gerald Lewis – George Dunlap – Alvin Thompson60
12Robert Pridgen – Carey Flythe – James Whitmore – Marion Thompson61
13Felix Curtis – Bill Evans – Leon Leach – Sylvester Vaughns62
14Johnny Rondo – Tony Johnson – Marcus Bynum – Reg Burns62
15James Boulware – Ray Johnson – Frank Holmes – Patrick Johnson – Mark Williams63
16Tim Leung – Toney Steele – Verbena McIlwaine – Dr. Kelli Uietnham63
17Marc Houston – Charles Fennell – Derick Reaves – Larry Davis63
18James Courtney – Jeremy Ron Colvard – JR Hipsky65
19George White – James Bristol – Randy Johnson – Chris Massey66
20Ceasar Hernandez – Ryan Romanowski – Lanny Caldwell – Hunter Speagle66
21Nehemiah Owen – Bryan Dandridge – James Legrand – Stephone Berry66
22Howard McDonald – Donald Dorsey – John Martin – Patrick Johnson67
23Brien Blakely – Dan Black – Dan Issacs – Mason Black67
24A.J. Peterson – Chip Mac – Grady Lock – Marlon Gary68
25Juluis “Jay” Washington – Johnnie Pate – John Pate – Leroy Roseboro68
26Tom Clark – Jonathan Clark – Robert Sproule – Brian Salmond69
27Michael Walker – Kyle Thomas – Andre LeeNC

Closest To The Pin Winnera

HoleWinnerNote
#3Nehemiah Owen
#8Phil NeelyHOLE-IN-ONE
#13Jewel Love
#17Robert Sproule

Longest Drive

HoleWinner
#1Jewel Love
#6Randy Johnson
#14James Bristol

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsSlider

Emily Odwin Represents Barbados with Pride at the US Women’s Open

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

Emily Odwin, a 21-year-old amateur golfer from Barbados, made history at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open by becoming the first Barbadian—male or female—to compete in a major golf championship. She earned her spot in the prestigious tournament through a qualifying event at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. 

The championship took place from May 29 to June 1 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin, featuring a par-72 course stretching 6,835 yards. Odwin posted consistent rounds of 75 on both Thursday and Friday, finishing at 6-over-par 150. Despite her steady performance, she missed the cut by five strokes, as the cut line was set at 145 (+1). 

Although she did not advance to the weekend rounds, Odwin’s participation marked a significant milestone for Barbadian golf. Her journey from Saint James Parish, Barbados, where she began playing golf at age 11, to the U.S. Women’s Open stage reflects her dedication and the growth of the sport in her home country. 

Currently a standout player for Southern Methodist University (SMU), Odwin has achieved notable success in collegiate golf. She helped lead SMU to victory in the 2024 American Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Championship, becoming the first Barbadian to win an American collegiate conference title. 

Odwin’s appearance at the U.S. Women’s Open is expected to inspire a new generation of golfers in Barbados and the Caribbean, highlighting the potential for athletes from the region to compete on the international stage.

Emily Odwin’s rise in the world of golf is a story of persistence, talent, and breaking barriers. Born and raised in Barbados, she picked up the game at age 11 and quickly showed promise in a sport that has limited visibility in the Caribbean. With few resources and even fewer local role models, Odwin carved her own path, earning recognition in junior tournaments across the region and internationally.

Her dedication paid off when she moved to the United States to pursue collegiate golf at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. Competing at the Division I level, she quickly established herself as a standout player. In 2024, she helped SMU clinch the American Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Championship, becoming the first Barbadian to win a title of that magnitude in U.S. collegiate golf. That same drive helped her qualify for the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open, adding to her growing list of firsts.

Emily’s achievement is not just about individual success—it’s about representation. “Growing up in Barbados, I never imagined I’d be playing in a major,” Odwin said after her U.S. Women’s Open debut. “I hope my journey inspires other young golfers from small islands to believe that they belong on the biggest stages.”

Off the course, Odwin remains grounded and committed to giving back. She frequently returns home to work with junior golfers and has spoken about her dream of establishing a foundation to support youth sports in the Caribbean. Her visibility at major tournaments like the U.S. Women’s Open brings new energy to Caribbean golf and opens doors for future talent.

With her poise, work ethic, and clear vision, Emily Odwin is not only representing Barbados—she’s redefining what’s possible for athletes from underrepresented regions in global golf.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Uncategorized

Golf Cart Rolls Over Jefferson City Man in Fatal Accident

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

A fatal crash in the early hours of Friday, May 30, claimed the life of a 62-year-old man from Jefferson City, Missouri. The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. on private property located north of Dunwandrin Road in Morgan County. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the man was driving a golf cart eastbound when it struck a rock, causing him to be thrown from the vehicle. After being ejected, the golf cart rolled over and came to rest on top of him.

Emergency responders pronounced the man dead at the scene. Authorities noted that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that no one else was in the golf cart during the incident. This marks the third fatality in May for Troop F and the 15th for the year. Additional details about the accident have not been released.

Golf cart accidents in the United States result in an estimated 13,000 injuries each year, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. While fatalities are less common, between 20 and 40 deaths occur annually due to golf cart-related incidents. These fatalities often involve rollovers, ejections, or collisions, particularly when golf carts are driven on streets, in neighborhoods, or at public events rather than golf courses.

Common contributing factors include a lack of seat belts, excessive speed, distracted driving, and unqualified or impaired operators. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable. Injuries often include head trauma, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries, particularly when passengers are thrown from the vehicle.

As golf cart use becomes more common in non-golf settings, many communities are re-evaluating safety rules, considering regulations such as seat belt requirements and stricter age limits for drivers.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BookshelfSlider

“Playing From The Rough: A Personal Journey through America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” Now Available in Paperback by former Collegiate Athlete Jimmy James

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

“Playing From The Rough” is an inspiring memoir by Jimmy James, a former collegiate athlete whose life journey has mirrored the challenging game of golf he so deeply loves. In the book, James uses the metaphor of playing from the rough—a tough spot on the course where success requires resilience and strategy—to tell a deeply personal story of overcoming adversity, identity, and self-discovery.

From battling obstacles both on and off the course to navigating systemic barriers as a Black athlete, James brings readers into the mindset of perseverance and the power of purpose. His voice is honest, grounded, and motivational—offering insight not only into sports, but into the human spirit.

The newly released paperback edition (Simon & Schuster ) makes this powerful story more accessible than ever. James chronicles his journey to play America’s top 100 courses in one year while also describing his rise from humble beginnings to corporate success.

“This book braids my life story with my tale of playing all 100 of America’s Greatest Golf Courses in one calendar year, said James on his LinkIn post. Pick up your copy from your local bookseller or order online through Amazon , Barnesandnoble.com, Inc. , Books A Million , or Bookshop.org.

TO HEAR JIMMIE JAMES READ EXCERPTS FROM HIS BOOK CLICK HERE

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

THE TENT: Episode 2 — with Jimmie James, Author of Playing From The Rough
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Close

Stay in the loop!