The announcement that the Biden administration pardoned the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey on January 19 was some of the most welcome news we have received at African American Golfer’s Digest in a long time. “This news is long-awaited and I am thrilled to learn it,” said Publisher Debert Cook. “The pardon is an initiative that should have been done years ago, as Garvey gave his life’s work to instilling pride and information to the Black race.”
Biden took on the task of posthumously pardoning Marcus Garvey, something that even the Obama administration refused to do. Garvey’s unjust arrest and conviction on trumped up mail fraud charges, was little more than a wild conspiracy, orchestrated by the United States, foreign governments and a cabal of “negro boot-lickers.” Garvey was and is guilty of one “crime,” loving and being willing to die for Black people. This “crime” has brought him vilification for more than a century, claimed a report by The Black Classic Press.
As happy as many people are with the pardon, we must recognize this, as a hard-fought victory, that Black people around the world have demanded since Marcus Garvey’s wrongful conviction in 1923. Thousands of Black people protested his initial conviction. And over the decades, hundreds of thousands more have supported efforts to exonerate Marcus Garvey. Most recently, that effort, led by Garvey’s surviving son, Dr. Julius Garvey, has attracted support from all segments of the global Black community. Supporters include heads of state, and elected officials of the Congressional Black Caucus, who all lobbied for Garvey’s pardon.
This pardon is a welcomed first step in the protracted process of reversing Garvey’s unjust conviction. As the fight continues for the exoneration of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, many people will not rest until full dignity and honor is restored to this Black man, and the movement he led to free Black people.
Club Car is proud to participate in the African American Golf Expo, celebrating diversity and inclusion in the game of golf. Visit the Club Car booth at the EXPO and enter an exciting contest for a chance to win one of two Eastside Golf e-gift cards valued at $150 each. To participate, snap a photo at the Club Car banner in the booth and share on IG or FB with the hashtags #ClubCarAAGolfExpo #PGAShow.
Entries should be made Wednesday, January 22 – Thursday, January 23, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM at Hyatt Regency Hotel Orlando – Florida Ballroom. Learn more details on-site!
Olajuwon Ajanaku, owner, Eastside Golf, Trevor Anderson, owner, Better Every Day, and Damon Hack, NBC Sports/Golf Channel are among the list of winners for 2024 Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA) Industry Leaders Awardees. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the golf industry.
Olajuwon Ajanaku’s Eastside Golf, based in Atlanta, GA., gains its brand’s names from the Eastside of Atlanta, where the founder grew up. The lifestyle apparel brand that sells golf gear and other clothing. The brand’s mission is to make golf more accessible and diverse, and to inspire young people to play the sport.
Trevor Anderson, owner, Better Every Day is a renowned speaker, performance educator, and a multi-sport performance expert who is committed to helping people of all ages enhance their quality of life, achieve a greater level of success, and truly find their own personal excellence with endeavors to educate students of all disciplines, motivate athletes of all ages, and INSPIRE people of all levels and goals.
Damon Hack of NBC Sports/Golf Channel serves as host for Golf Today and Golf Central. Additionally, Hack serves as an on-site reporter for NBC Sports’ PGA TOUR coverage.
Ambrose Coleman, Integrity Golf Performance (Frisco, TX)
Randall Hunt, CEO, Apex Fitness (Orlando, FL)
Trevor Hypolite, Owner, GOLFZON Leadbetter Golf Academy (Orlando, FL)
Troy Mullins, Owner, Troy Mullins Long Drive. She is a World Long Drive competitor and educator from Los Angeles who has played in an LPGA Qualifier.
Gary Player, Pro golfer, Philanthropist and Golf Course Designer received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Learn more about GFAA and view the full list of 2024 winners at https://golf.fitness.
GFAA is the creation of the publishers of PGA Magazine announced the creation of the Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA) aimed at helping golf and fitness professionals grow and manage their businesses in the growing segment of the golf industry. Announcement made by the Great Golf Resorts of the World (GGRW) CEO Rick Summers. GFAA also features certification programs that improve the performance of golf patrons, fitness practitioners and teaching professionals.
The GFAA is owned and managed by GGRW, Inc, a Philadelphia based, privately held company incorporated in 1988. The parent company manages over 90 different golf platforms reaching the most influential professionals and consumers including (but not limited to): PGA Magazine, Golf Range Association of America, and 50% ownership in the PGA Show and PGA Demo Day in Orlando, Florida.
Under the leadership of DR. STEVEN LORICK, GFAA PRESIDENT, the mission of the GFAA is to facilitate environments where golf and fitness professionals can network and share best practices with their peers. The GFAA is visible through a variety of programming and content platforms, which include an e-publication – Golf Fitness Monthly, weekly best practice emails, Golf.Fitness website, in-market Boot Camp events around the country, virtual events and access to an industry-leading GFAA Advisory Team.
Momentum across the recreational side of the U.S. golf industry remained broadly positive in 2024, and future indicators point to sustainability when it comes to participation and play.
Green grass golf participation topped 28 million in 2024, a seventh consecutive annual increase (no, we don’t owe all the good fortune to COVID-19). Last year’s net increase of approximately 1.5 million golfers was the biggest single-year jump since 2000, when Tiger Woods was at his peak and spurring golf participation to new heights. Over the past five years, the number of traditional golfers has risen by 16%.
Meanwhile, total golf participation (those who play on- and off-course with a real ball, real club and full swing) climbed to 47.2 million in the U.S., a 5% gain versus 2023 and a +38% pre-pandemic comp to 2019.
NGF members can get more details on participation, play, supply, development, equipment purchases, and much more in the latest Graffis Report, now available for download from The Golf Wire HERE.
Our annual state-of-industry overview provides a holistic look at the U.S. golf industry for 2024 and includes a convenient one-page “leaderboard” of the game’s key health metrics.
Want to stay in the know going into the (PGA) Show?
Consider THIS your one-stop-shop to stay better informed and get a finger on the pulse of the industry and business of golf.
Here are just a few of the notable callouts from 2024:
- On-course participation at its highest level since 2008, when the Great Recession and the onset of the social media age were taking a toll on golf’s positioning as a leisure pursuit
- Female participation at record levels
- Unprecedented representation for females and People of Color in golf’s participation ranks
- A new high for annual Rounds Played for the third time in four years
- Sustained demand and high levels of utilization
- More new course development than any time since 2011
- Fewest U.S. golf course closures in 20 years
- An increasingly favorable public perception and narrative around recreational golf
You’ll find additional details, numbers, and context on these topics and more in the full 40+ page Golf Industry Report, named for NGF’s founders Herb and Joe Graffis.
For those attending the PGA Show in Orlando, please visit us in Room W207A at the Orange County Convention Center.
Our team has a lineup of great events, among them Chief Research Officer David Lorentz’s popular state-of-industry presentation on the PGA Show’s main stage at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, and several others in the NGF room you can find the schedule for here. We’re always energized to talk golf and more with members (and prospective members) of our NGF community, so make sure to stop in.
About the NGF
Founded in 1936, the National Golf Foundation is a dynamic membership organization supported and trusted by thousands of golf related businesses and individuals who rely on NGF to provide the most up-to-date, accurate and objective insights on the state of the game and business of golf. It is the only trade association for everyone in the golf business, advocating for growth by educating and connecting its members. NGF is also the leading marketing services provider in golf, leveraging a database of 2.5 million golfers and the industry’s most comprehensive worldwide database of golf facilities. Additionally, NGF’s research arm works with individual companies to help them better understand their markets and grow their businesses. If you’re not among the hundreds of businesses that help support NGF’s ongoing research efforts through membership, we invite you to join the community.
Contact:
Erik Matuszewski
National Golf Foundation
Editorial Director
(561) 354-1637
(609) 577-0652
Jim Beatty, President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and Founder of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum (EXPO) announced that Carter Bonas, a 13-year-old golf industry CEO will exhibit at the EXPO in Orlando coincident with the PGA Show January 22 and 23. EXPO exhibits will be held at the Hyatt Regency, 9801 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in Florida Ballroom B/C. The public is invited to attend this historic event at no cost. Anyone planning to attend this free must register in advance . Please click here to register.
At just 13-years-old, Carter Bonas is changing the business world as we know it. Carter is the founder and CEO of Spectrum Golf and is dedicated to teaching the game of golf, but his mission goes beyond the greens helping future entrepreneurs reach the next level.
Carter also holds a charity golf tournament every year on “Carter Bonas Day – April 25th” proclaimed by the city of Lauderhill, Florida attracting NFL players like Jeff Dellenbach, Weslye Saunders who have struggled with mental health and Doug Flutie who also has a son on the spectrum. Carter just launched Spectrum Vitamin Water and started his own 501c3 nonprofit which offers free golf lessons and gear to children.
According to Jim Beatty, ”Carter serves as a great example of the opportunities in golf available for African Americans of all ages and backgrounds and encourages others to find their niche in the $102 Billion golf industry.”
Carter’s mother Dr. Thelma Tennie also stated that Carter Is inspiring others to embrace their differences and work hard to achieve their dreams. Let us all congratulate and support Carter Bonas, CEO of Spectrum Golf.
About the EXPO
The mission of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum is to promote the game, the business, the industry, the careers and the opportunities in golf for African Americans and to grow the game The objectives are to promote economic growth, diversity and inclusion in golf for African Americans and other underrepresented groups. The EXPO provides a friendly and welcoming environment for golf industry leaders to develop relationships with African Americans and other underrepresented entrepreneurs, community programmers, and golf enthusiasts.
The EXPO helps grow golf and the industry by featuring subject matter experts in learning forums, seminars and networking opportunities.
The EXPO was founded in 2021 by Jim Beatty and has been held in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Louisville, KY, and Palm Beach, FL, and is celebrating its 5th year anniversary in Orlando coincident with the PGA Show.
About Carter Bonas
Carter Bonas, named his apparel Spectrum Golf, because he ranks high on the Autism Spectrum Scale. He decided to showcase his apparel at the PGA Show 2022, which is one of the largest golf merchandising shows in the nation. That set off a tsunami of media coverage. His first interview was LIVE with the GOLF CHANNEL. That led to interviews with the PGA, PGA Magazine, Golf Digest, Golf Life TV, Club and Resort Business magazine, Europe Times News, Golf weekly and USAToday.com, Golf Central Magazine, North Central Florida Golfer Magazine and many more. https://www.cartersspectrumgolf.com/book-carter—press.html#/
Carter was unable to speak until he was 4-years-old. When he finally went to school, he underwent intense bullying, to the point one day he told his teachers, “If one more bad thing happens to me today, I’m going to kill myself.” This was devastating to his mother, Dr. Thelma Tennie, a licensed therapist and life coach. She created a nonprofit in Carter’s honor in 2015 called Healing Arts Institute of South Florida, Inc., HealingArtsSFL.org. The nonprofit offers NO COST Mental Health Services primarily to youth 22 and under and their families, across the State of Florida by way of licensed and intern therapists.
Carter’s exposure caught the attention of Legendary Golf Hall of Famer, Ernie Els, whose son also has autism. Els, has a foundation called Els for Autism, invited Carter to walk the course with him during the Chubb Classic Golf Tournament in Naples, Florida last year, which put Carter and Spectrum Golf on the World Stage.
In 2022, Carter was a featured speaker at the Inclusion and Diversity Summit, called SOAR, at Dow’s LPGA’s Great Lakes Bay Invitational in Midland, Michigan. He also sold Spectrum Golf apparel in the merchandising tent, and first met Golf Pro Anita Uwadia, who he now sponsors with Spectrum Golf Apparel.
In 2022,Carter played in the South Florida HBCU Golf Classic, alongside the Founder, William McCormick who was instrumental in Carter receiving a full four year scholarship from Florida Memorial University.
In 2022 The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism named Carter as one of the foundation’s four “Golf Flutie Fellows” as the foundation kicked off its Inaugural golf program as part of its’ “Stars of the Spectrum” programming.
In 2022 Carter was named SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s Sports KID of the YEAR and was featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and NBC Nightly News Kids Edition!”
In 2023 Carter was named the 2023 UPS Unstoppable CEO, and was featured in their MASTERS partnership Campaign.
The upcoming 2nd Adaptive Sport and Golf Panel at this year’s fifth annual African American Golf EXPO and Forum, will be chaired by Charlene Williams, a decorated 26-year military veteran whose personal journey with golf exemplifies the transformative power of adaptive sports. As Chief of Staff for Jim Beatty Golf Ventures LLC and President of CTWilliams VETS Golf & Beyond LLC. Charlene brings both extensive military experience and a deep passion for golf’s healing potential to this crucial discussion.
Charlene, made history as the first female Sailor of the Year on the USS Nassau, served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her distinguished military career included assignments across the globe, from Japan to Spain, and service aboard various nuclear aircraft carriers. “I honestly believe that the game of golf saves lives. Speaking from personal experience, playing golf has saved my life. In fact, golf has been my lifeline,” says Williams, whose post-military career has dedicated to expanding golf’s impact and reach.
The EXPO brings together six remarkable individuals whose journeys embody resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of adaptive sports. This distinguished panel showcases veterans and adaptive sports advocates who have turned personal challenges into platforms for community support and inspiration.
# Breaking Barriers in Adaptive Sports
The panel features an impressive lineup of speakers who represent diverse aspects of adaptive sports and veteran support.
James Bond, a U.S. Army veteran and certified Adaptive Golf Instructor, brings his expertise in helping amputees rediscover their potential through golf. His work with legally blind golfer Danny Proffitt demonstrates the profound impact of adaptive sports in creating opportunities for all athletes.
Kim J. Clark, Executive Director and Founder of The DeMarco Project, contributes her extensive experience in veteran support and community outreach. Her organization’s success in reaching thousands of homeless veterans and building bridges between military and civilian communities adds a crucial perspective on comprehensive veteran care. The DeMarco Project, also focuses on veteran suicide prevention.
# Military Service and Athletic Achievement
- Jason Ellis, an Iraq War veteran and retired USAF service member, exemplifies the healing power of adaptive sports. His journey from surviving an IED blast to winning Gold at the 2016 Invictus Games and the 2023 National Wheelchair Basketball Championship inspires others to pursue athletic excellence regardless of physical challenges.
- John Edward Heath, founder of the Adaptive Athletics Foundation of Maryland, brings his experience as a Marine Corps veteran and accomplished adaptive athlete. His achievements in CrossFit, track and field, and Paralympic snowboarding, along with his advocacy work changing legislation for prosthetics coverage, showcase the broader impact of adaptive sports advocacy.
# Innovation in Adaptive Golf
- Danny Proffitt’s story as a legally blind golfer and Desert Storm veteran highlights the innovative approaches being developed in adaptive golf. His partnership with James Bond demonstrates how coaching and dedication can open new possibilities in sports for individuals with visual impairments.
- LaHarold Woodhouse, founder of iGolf4VETS, Inc., rounds out the panel with his commitment to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion through golf. His organization’s focus on using golf as a therapeutic outlet for veterans addresses crucial issues of mental health and suicide prevention in the veteran community.
## Impact and Future Directions
The panel will explore how adaptive sports, particularly golf, can serve as a powerful tool for rehabilitation, community building, and personal growth. Topics will include:
– Innovations in adaptive sports technology and coaching
– Building inclusive sports communities
– Supporting veterans through athletic programs
– Breaking down barriers to participation
– Future developments in adaptive golf
This gathering of experts represents a significant step forward in promoting diversity and inclusion within adaptive sports and golf. Their combined experience and insights promise to provide valuable perspectives for athletes, coaches, and program developers in the adaptive sports community.
The African American Golf EXPO continues to lead in creating platforms for important discussions about accessibility, inclusion, and the future of adaptive sports. This panel demonstrates the EXPO’s commitment to addressing the needs of all athletes and veterans while celebrating their achievements and potential.
For more information about the panel and the African American Golf EXPO, please contact @Charlene Williams or email [email protected].
Jim Beatty, founder of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures is thrilled to invite you to the African American Golf Expo & Forum 2025, an unparalleled celebration of golf, culture, and community. This year the EXPO will be celebrating its 5 year anniversary. The EXPO will be held in conjunction with the PGA Show in Orlando. This amazing Show is bringing together enthusiasts, professionals, and newcomers from all walks of life to engage, inspire, and create lasting memories.
Why Attend?
- Inspiring Keynotes: Hear from industry leaders, trailblazers, and icons who have shaped the world of golf and beyond. Their stories and insights will motivate and empower you.
- Interactive Workshops: Participate in hands-on sessions designed to improve your game, regardless of your skill level. From beginners to seasoned players, there’s something for everyone.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow golf enthusiasts, industry professionals, and potential partners. Build relationships that will enrich your golfing experience and career.
- Youth Programs: We’re committed to nurturing the next generation of golfers. Our youth clinics and activities are designed to introduce young people to the joys of the game and the values it instills.
- Vibrant Expo Hall: Explore the latest in golf technology, apparel, and equipment. Meet with top brands and discover innovative products that can enhance your performance and enjoyment.
- Cultural Celebrations: Enjoy a range of events that highlight the rich cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans to the sport of golf. From art exhibits to musical performances, there’s a celebration of culture at every turn.
The Pinkney Foundation is excited to announce the 2025 Winter/Spring Junior Golf Camps, a unique opportunity for youth ages 5-18 to enhance their golf skills while building valuable life skills through the game. These award-winning Social Emotional Learning After School Camps are designed to foster personal growth, teamwork, and confidence, all while enjoying the sport of golf. The camps will be held at the state-of-the-art Primetime Golf Indoor Facility located at 306 12th St, Oakland, CA 94607, offering a structured and engaging environment for young participants.
The Junior Golf Camps will run in four-week sessions, starting in January 2025. Each session includes twice-weekly lessons from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with options to attend on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, ensuring flexibility for families. The cost for each session begins at $250, with scholarships available upon request to ensure accessibility for all participants. Registration is available HERE.
Camp Highlights
The program is structured to provide a comprehensive golf education while instilling essential life skills. Key features of the camp include:
• Small Group Instruction: A low 1:4 coach-to-student ratio ensures personalized attention and tailored guidance for each participant.
• Weekly Course Play: Participants gain hands-on experience on the course, applying their lessons to real-world situations.
• Skill Development: Players will learn golf fundamentals, etiquette, strategy, and course management, providing a strong foundation for future play.
• Fun and Engagement: The camps feature contests, tournaments, and prizes, making learning both exciting and rewarding.
• Life Skills Training: Beyond golf, participants will engage in social-emotional learning activities, helping them develop teamwork, resilience, and leadership skills.
By the end of each session, campers will not only leave with improved golf skills but also a deeper appreciation for the game and meaningful ways to practice with friends.
Session Dates
The Junior Golf Camps are offered in three sessions, providing multiple opportunities for participation:
• Session 1: January 13 – January 30, 2025
• Session 2: February 3 – February 27, 2025
• Session 3: March 3 – March 27, 2025
Parents can choose the session that best fits their schedule, ensuring every child has the opportunity to benefit from this enriching experience.
Why Join the Junior Golf Camps?
The Pinkney Foundation’s mission is to nurture positive and productive citizens through youth development programs, using sports as a powerful tool for growth. The Junior Golf Camps embody this mission, combining the technical aspects of golf with essential life skills training. Participants not only learn the game but also develop confidence, discipline, and a sense of community.
Golf is more than just a sport—it’s a medium for teaching strategy, patience, and perseverance. By participating in the Pinkney Foundation’s Junior Golf Camps, young players will gain skills that extend beyond the golf course, preparing them for success in all areas of life.
Spaces for the Winter/Spring Junior Golf Camps are limited, so early registration is encouraged. To enroll or request a scholarship, please contact the Pinkney Foundation at your earliest convenience. Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child the gift of golf and life skills through this engaging and transformative program.
Jim Beatty, president of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and Founder of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum announces that former Pittsburg Steelers great and Superbowl 43 MVP, Santonio Holmes will be an exhibitor at the 2025 African American Golf EXPO & Forum. The exhibits will be showcased at the Hyatt Regency in Florida Ballroom B/C.
Santonio Holmes and his lifelong friend Jimmie Vincent are the co-founders of the nonprofit10AllIn.
The NFL star’s dream for starting 10AllIn centers around his story, the trials and tribulations presented early on, and more importantly, how relentless hard work allowed him to achieve his goals and position him where he is today. Through 10AllIn, Santonio along with a close group of colleagues hope to create similar social change and inspiration among youth and communities whose narratives are similar to this, tapping into each individual’s potential and guiding them to success.
Jimmie Vincent is a nationally certified counselor with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health and Counseling. His experience spans multiple areas including counseling and therapy, consulting, crisis stabilization, community-based intensive services, family therapy, child & adolescent services, parenting, and anger management. Jimmie has recently published the first in a series of children’s books relating to commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in children. His role in 10AllIn will branch from his expertise in this field, helping those who struggle and would ultimately benefit from these services.
The two childhood friends grew up in the Belle Glade area of South Florida, USA. Both ambitious individuals dedicated their lives to pursuing their passions. 10AllIn has built key partnerships with the PGA of South Florida, the PGA of DC, United Healthcare, Children’s Science Center, Dreams for Kids DC, First Tee DC, McNicholas & Associates, and The Markarian Group.
10Allin believes the sport of golf holds the ability to help transform the mental and physical capabilities of youth from underserveed communities and partners with local PGA Foundations and First Tee programs to help develop young golfers into leaders within their communities, while growing the game.
About 10AllIn
Th mission of 10llin is to expanding access to STEM and golf industries by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among youth in underserved communities. At 10AllIn, they are proud to giving kids the kind of learning they deserve for a brighter future. Their STEM education programs are developed, monitored, and guided by professionals who are certified and accredited by STEM.org, assuring the highest standards and innovative approach to teaching and studying. 10AllIn also partners with organizations serving similar communities to enhance leadership skills, creating a unified network of support for its target population.
About the EXPO
The mission of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum is to promote the game, the business, the industry, the careers and the opportunities in golf for African Americans and to grow the game.
The objectives are to promote economic growth, diversity and inclusion in golf for African Americans and other underrepresented groups. The EXPO provides a friendly and welcoming environment for golf industry leaders to develop relationships with African American and other underrepresented entrepreneurs, community programmers, and golf enthusiasts.
The EXPO helps grow golf and the industry by featuring subject matter experts in learning forums, seminars and networking opportunities. The EXPO was founded in 2021 by Jim Beatty and has been held in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Louisville, KY, Palm Beach, FL, and is celebrating its 5th year anniversary in Orlando coincident with the PGA Show.
The golf industry is on a mission to expand its reach and diversify its talent pool. As part of this commitment, Make Golf Your Thing is proud to host an engaging and insightful event, Tee-Up The Talent: How to Identify + Connect with University, Community Partners, and Early Talent. This dynamic session aims to equip professionals with the tools and strategies needed to attract and retain a diverse workforce, aligning with the evolving needs of the golf industry.
The virtual workshop will kick off at this week’s 72nd PGA Show at Orange County Convention Center with two impactful sessions.
The first session, “Evolution of Inclusion,” will take place on Wednesday, January 22, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at PGA of America Industry Stage presented by CapTech. During this panel discussion, industry leaders will reflect on the transformative strides made in golf over the past decade.
The session will spotlight key milestones, actionable strategies, and the collective commitment needed to broaden the game’s reach. Emceed by Lauren Thompson of NBC Sports Next, the session will be moderated by Sandy Cross, Chief People Officer of the PGA of America. Panelists include:
• Tom Kuhn, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at the PGA TOUR beginning on Wednesday, January 29 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A distinguished panel of industry leaders who will share their expertise during these sessions:
• Dave Barton, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf
• Dr. Michael Cooper, Senior Advisor at the USGA
• Laura Diaz, Senior Director of Community & Inclusion at the LPGA Tour
• Carissa Sweigart: Director of Culture & Wellbeing, Acushnet Company
• Andrea LattiImore: Manager of Talent Attraction & Community Engagement, Acushnet Company
• Jim Clarke: Vice President of Talent & Culture, PGA Tour
• Jenell Rayford: Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & Organizational Planning, LPGA Tour
These professionals bring years of experience in fostering inclusion, shaping organizational culture, and driving innovative recruitment strategies within the golf and sports industries.
Later that day, the 7th annual “Diversity Roundtable” will take place from 1:30-4:30 p.m., bringing together experts to explore the multifaceted opportunities within the golf industry. This session is led by many passionate Make Golf Your Thing volunteers. Highlights include:
- Insights from social media influencers on how culturally relevant content is shaping the future of golf.
- Discussions on the $102 billion golf industry, featuring entrepreneurs who are carving out innovative business niches.
- Strategic planning for player development initiatives in 2025 and beyond.
- Practical advice on nonprofit operations, including leveraging AI, funding strategies, and best practices.
The session will conclude with a networking and hospitality event, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and peers.
The golf industry is undergoing a transformative shift, recognizing the importance of inclusivity and innovation in workforce development. As a sector steeped in tradition, it’s crucial to adapt and evolve to meet modern expectations. Events like Tee-Up The Talent highlight the proactive steps the industry is taking to create opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds and skill levels. Participants will leave the session with actionable insights on the following topics:
• Jumpstarting Recruitment Plans: Learn how to design and implement a recruitment strategy that aligns with your organization’s unique talent goals.
• Adapting to Shifting Candidate Needs: Gain strategies to connect with potential hires as workplace expectations and candidate priorities continue to evolve.
• Building Community Partnerships: Discover how to establish and nurture relationships with universities, community organizations, and partners serving underrepresented segments to create a strong talent pipeline.
• Innovative Recruitment Practices: Explore cutting-edge methods used across the industry to attract top talent and ensure long-term engagement.
With the participation of esteemed organizations like the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, and Acushnet Company, this session is set to be a collaborative exchange of ideas that will inspire attendees to rethink their approach to recruitment and community engagement.
LPGA and PGA Professionals who register and attend this event will earn 2 PGA Professional Development Program (PDP) credits and 2 LPGA Continuing Education Units (CU). This is an excellent opportunity to enhance professional credentials while gaining valuable knowledge.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from top industry leaders and shape the future of talent in the golf industry. Tee-Up The Talent is more than just an event; it’s a call to action for organizations to embrace change and champion diversity in their recruitment efforts. Secure your spot today and take the first step toward building a more inclusive and dynamic workforce.
More than 500,000 kids have enjoyed fun, team golf experiences
with expert coaching thanks to PGA Jr. League
FRISCO, Texas (Jan. 16, 2025) – PGA Jr. League registration is now open at facilities across the country. Families can learn more, find a local program and sign up online at PGAJrLeague.com.
Led exclusively by PGA of America Golf Professionals and LPGA Professionals, PGA Jr. League provides kids ages 17 and under with the opportunity to learn and play golf on a team. Expert coaching, combined with a scramble format that promotes teamwork and mentorship, creates an environment that supports players of all skill levels. Last year, over 77,000 players participated in PGA Jr. League, establishing another record in the program’s history.
“In its 12-year history as a PGA of America growth of the game program, PGA of America Golf Professionals have coached more than half a million youth through PGA Jr. League,” said PGA of America President and Master Professional Don Rea Jr., Owner/Operator of Augusta Ranch Golf Club (Arizona). “Their work with these kids and their families goes beyond coaching the game. It’s the mentorship and character development, coupled with the environment they create that fosters lifelong friendships and a love of the game. Golf is for everyone, and that’s what PGA Jr. League is all about.”
PGA Jr. League programs are primarily offered in two age divisions – 13u (ages 13 and under, with minimum age varying by facility) and 17u (ages 14-17) – with a 9u division being piloted in 2025. Recreational seasons take place year-round. Competitive players can aspire to the PGA Jr. League All-Star Season, which spans May through November and includes All-Star Play Days, Sectionals, Regionals and Championships.
New for the 2025 season, PGA Jr. League has partnered with Macron, a world-class Italian brand of high-performance sportswear, to produce its iconic jerseys customized with player names and player-selected numbers. Prioritizing top-notch design, quality and technology, Macron serves as the technical sponsor of more than 100 professional clubs, federations and national teams across an array of sports.
PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America REACH Foundation, the 501(c)(3) foundation of the Association, with efforts focused on making the program accessible to all youth regardless of background, circumstance or ability. Last year, more than 5,000 scholarships were awarded to children who qualified for financial assistance or were from a military family. Families can donate to the PGA Jr. League Scholarship Fund during player registration or directly here.