Shady Rest Country Club, the first Black-owned and operated country club in the United States, is being revitalized with the help of a $75,000 grant. Located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Shady Rest is one of 30 historic sites selected to receive a portion of $3 million in grant funding from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, an initiative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grant, as reported by NPR in July, will aid ongoing restoration efforts at the club, which has long been a symbol of Black excellence in sports and leisure.

Originally built as a farmhouse in the mid-1700s, the property later became a tavern and eventually the Westfield Country Club. In 1921, a group of Black investors, under the Progressive Realty Company Inc., acquired the property and transformed it into Shady Rest Country Club. During an era of racial segregation, it became a vital hub for Black Americans, offering a space for sports, recreation, and community.

The Preserve Shady Rest Committee, formed in 2013, has been spearheading efforts to restore the club, and this grant will help continue their work. Former committee chairperson Sylvia Hicks emphasized the importance of the site’s preservation, stating, “It’s history. Plain and simple. Period. History,” she said in a Black Enterprise magazine interview.

Shady Rest has a rich history, having hosted prominent Black athletes such as John Shippen Jr., the first Black professional golfer, and Althea Gibson, the first Black woman to win a Grand Slam title in tennis. Beyond sports, it was also an entertainment hotspot, with musicians performing at its nightclub, Villa Casanova, after their New York City shows.

Bobby Mendelson, a regular at Shady Rest, carries on a family tradition of golfing there with his 6-year-old son, Leo, a tradition he once shared with his own father. “It’s really important to the history of the town and the area,” Mendelson said while speaking with Black Enterprise magazine, adding that it holds significance in civil rights and brings pride to the community.

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, led by executive director Brent Leggs, has been highly selective in awarding preservation funds. Since its inception in 2018, the fund has invested $27 million into 304 heritage sites across the country. This year’s recipients span various states and stories, reflecting the diversity of Black heritage.

Tom Donatelli, the current chair of the Shady Rest Committee, noted to Black Enterprise magazine that the grant will be used for “engineering and architecture” restorations, particularly on the top floors of the building and the historic Villa Casanova. The ongoing efforts to preserve Shady Rest will ensure that this vital piece of Black history continues to inspire future generations.

The Southern University Alumni Federation (SUAF) Dallas Chapter is hosting its annual Founders Golf Tournament on Saturday, October 5, with a clear mission in mind—raising scholarship funds for North Texas students attending Southern University. The tournament, held at the Firewheel Golf Park – Lake Course, 600 W. Campbell Road, Garland, Texas, is a pivotal event designed to generate financial support for students and increase awareness about the Southern University System.

The Founders Golf Tournament was launched to expand SUAF Dallas’s ability to award scholarships. Over the past decade, the number of students from North Texas attending Southern University has tripled, significantly increasing the need for financial assistance. According to Brandy Tyson, President of SUAF Dallas, “We started the Founders Golf Tournament to increase our scholarship awarding. Our population of North Texas students attending Southern University has tripled in the last 10 years, so we wanted to be able to provide as many awards as financially possible to assist students and families in their college journey.”

With the rising cost of education, the scholarships provided by the SUAF Dallas Chapter have become a vital lifeline for students and their families, helping them afford higher education at Southern University.

The Southern University Alumni Federation Dallas Chapter was founded in April 1955 and continues to be an essential part of the national Southern University Alumni Federation’s mission. Its primary goal is to support the advancement of the Southern University System as a leading institution of higher education. Fundraising efforts, including events like the golf tournament, help raise awareness about Southern University while building a community of supporters through membership and engagement.

Charlie Dean, the tournament manager for the past decade, plays a key role in organizing the event. He is supported by a dedicated planning committee consisting of Felicia Lockridge (Third Vice President/Fundraising Chair), Kenneth Brown (Co-Chair), Brandy Tyson (President), and Dean himself. Together, they manage the logistics, marketing, and overall success of the tournament.

Tyson emphasized the role of the volunteers in creating an inviting atmosphere for participants, saying, “We take pride in the commitment of over 25 alumni and friends that volunteer to provide ‘Southern hospitality’ the day of the tournament.”

This year, SUAF Dallas aims to attract 130 golfers and raise a profit of $15,000, all of which will go toward scholarships. While fundraising is the primary objective, the organizers also strive to offer a memorable experience for everyone involved. The tournament stands out by delivering a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere.

“We know golfers love to golf and can do it on their own or with many organizations hosting tournaments,” Tyson said, “but the Southern hospitality of our tournament is an addiction that golfers of all levels have to come experience—yes, our lunch is Cajun cuisine.”

Firewheel Golf Park was selected as the venue because of its spacious facilities, which accommodate the needs of a large tournament. The 18 Par, 72 Length, 6625 yards course is a regular host of the North Texas PGA Junior Championships and many other tournaments.  It offers a fun and challenging golfing experience for the casual or veteran golfer and its staff understands the nature of the fundraiser, providing competitive pricing and donating prizes that help raise additional scholarship funds.

The tournament kicks off early with a 7:00 AM check-in and a 7:30 AM putting contest. The main event, a shotgun start, begins at 8:00 AM, followed by lunch at 1:00 PM, and the final raffle and award presentation at 1:30 PM.

For those interested in participating, registration can be completed online at suafdallasgolf2024.eventbrite.com, or by emailing [email protected].

This year’s Founders Golf Tournament promises a day of fun, camaraderie, and Southern hospitality—all while supporting a worthy cause. With a history rooted in tradition and a goal of increasing opportunities for North Texas students, it’s an event not to be missed.

Charlotte, NC – September 23, 2024 – The Greenwood Golf League proudly announces Tri-County Golf Club as the winners of the inaugural 2024 season. After months of spirited competition, Tri-County secured their victory during the final match at Red Bridge Golf Club on Saturday, September 21, 2024, marking a historic conclusion to the league’s first-ever season. The team displayed exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the competition, earning them the title of Greenwood Golf League Champions.

The season finale, an exciting alternate shot competition, prove to be more challenging than any of the teams expected. Despite coming in second place in the finale event, Tri-County was able to maintain their points lead to outlast their competitors in a thrilling contest. .

Named for Chester, Lancaster, York and Rock Hill counties of South Carolina, Tri-County Golf club hosts quarterly internal competitions to foster engagement and sharpen their members’ skills. The club is led by Sonny Bailey (President), Marshall Benson (Vice President), James Boulware (Secretary), and DJ Witherspoon (Treasurer), and has a rich history of camaraderie and competitive play.

At its core, the club’s mission is simple: to enjoy the game of golf with fellow brethren and ensure the legacy started 46 years ago continues to flourish. Despite challenges that minorities often face in the golf world, James remains optimistic. “Never let anyone tell you that you can’t. There are so many opportunities for minorities, and the doors are open to welcoming diversity in the golf space. This is a sport that can be learned by anyone with passion and dedication.”

In addition to Tri-County’s success, the league was further enriched by the participation of Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) men’s golf team players. These talented student-athletes not only contributed to the intensity of the competition but also highlighted the Greenwood Golf League’s commitment to supporting and elevating collegiate golfers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“We are thrilled to crown Tri-County Golf Club and to see such a strong turnout of both experienced players and rising stars like the JCSU golfers,” said Chris Word, Greenwood GOLF League Founder and Director. “TOGETHER, WE’RE BETTER building a community that fosters competition, camaraderie, and opportunity.”

The Greenwood Golf League would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors Visit Jamaica, Liberation Financial Partners, and Golf Pride for their invaluable support throughout the season. Their contributions were instrumental in making the league a success, promoting diversity in the sport, and providing a platform for both seasoned golfers and newcomers to thrive. Learn more at greenwoodgolf.com

I am coming off a week of travel and excitement! First, I participated in the annual National HBCU Conference in downtown Philadelphia, hosted by the White House Initiative on HBCUs. It had been many years since I visited Philly, and I had forgotten how much of our nation’s history is packed into one location. In fact, Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of the United States.

The HBCU conference took place at the Downtown Marriott, near Chinatown. I arrived on Sunday afternoon and the downtown area was packed with people. Some were scurrying to the hotel to participate in the career fair, while others were shopping, site seeing, jogging, or simply enjoying the beautiful weather. Traffic seemed unusually heavy to me for a Sunday afternoon, but regular patrons paid it no attention. Horns blew and sirens blared. But the city vibe was thick, as evident by the Congo player jamming outside the food court. That brotha was good! He should be on stage somewhere making big money.   

At the conference, 110 White House HBCU Scholars were recognized and on display. They received deserved praise for their accomplishments from Dr. Dietra Trent, Executive Director for the White House initiative and many stopped by our booth at the career fair. I bet there were over 100 companies represented, most of them who do business with our government (i.e., Department of Defense).

On Monday, several dignitaries spoke from the main stage, including Secretary of Education Miquel Cardona. His speech, along with other HBCU President’s and Chancellors reiterated the tremendous impact our institutions have on our country. Data reports that HBCUs represent only 3% of USA colleges and universities. Yet they produce “40% of all Black engineers, 50% of Black teachers, 70% of Black doctors and dentists, and 80% of all Black judges.” They punch above their weight, yet through the years they have received significantly less public and private funding support than other institutions of higher learning.   

The highlight of the conference came Monday afternoon when President Joe Biden took the stage! His sprits were high, and his words were inspiring. We were reminded that his administration has provided more than $16B to HBCUs, the most from a President in American history. Those funds helped stabilize our institutions through the COVID pandemic, which dealt a devastating blow to our educational system, especially in urban communities. I believe the repercussions from the catastrophic shutdown will haunt public education (and economy) for decades. But we persevere and march forward…

On Tuesday/Wednesday, our Make Golf Your Career team traveled to Delaware State University for their annual career fair and dialogue with students about the business of golf. Our seven golf companies joined about 60 other organizations to meet and greet over 500 students seeking internships and job opportunities. The Delaware State leadership team did a great job of preparing students for our visit. Many were dressed for success with resumes in-hand!

We had a virtual call with 60 Sports Management students one-week prior our campus arrival. So, most of our career fair traffic was from them. But several students majoring in marketing, communications, business, and hospitality also came through. Most were pleasantly surprised to learn about golf internships and job opportunities, even if they had no previous background or knowledge in the sport.    

One of the most astounding things we learned was there are currently 25 students on-campus who graduated from Midnight Golf in Detroit. (Midnight Golf has received several grassroots grants from Make Golf Your Thing).

In all my years in this business I have never seen 25 students at the same HBCU from one of our community-based programs. Kudos to Renee Fluker, the founder and CEO. I was fascinated to learn more about their backstory (Video: Inside Midnight Golf Program’s profound impact on metro Detroit youth (youtube.com).

The most compelling story I heard was from Adar Moore, a 21-year-old junior at Delaware State majoring in nursing and psychology. Adar is from a single parent household in Detroit. In 2019, she heard about Midnight Golf from a friend. Although she had no background in golf, her friend spoke highly of the youth program and convinced Adar to give it a try. In 2020 Adar followed his recommendation and applied for the Midnight Golf membership. After completing two interviews she was accepted. What’s interesting is that Adar’s attraction was not golf. But becoming a Midnight Golf member meant an escape to the outdoors. The COVID pandemic was rampant at the time, and golf was the lone outdoor activity.  

Adar attended a predominately white charter high school. She was unfamiliar with golf and had never heard the term HBCU. That was prior to meeting Renee Fluker and Winston Coffee at Midnight Golf. Coffee serves as the College Success Coach for the Detroit program. Adar credits his mentorship, persistence, and counsel with opening her imagination, thus providing “options to make choices,” as my friend Craig Kirby often says.   

During the pandemic, Adar’s father was laid off his job. In addition to being a student, Adar was employed part time. She helped helped raise a young sibling in the household too, and her wages helped support the family. Consequently, she had settled her options to remaining home in Detroit for college. But Coffee and Ms. Renee had a bigger vision for her. Together, they scrapped and raised enough money to pay for Adar to visit Delaware State University. Once there, they offered her an academic scholarship and her life changed.  

Adar ‘s loyalty and appreciation for Midnight Golf is everlasting. She founded the Delaware State University Collegiate Chapter and serves as President. All 25 Midnight Golf students are members, and they meet twice a month. The objectives are simple, keep the Detroit group together and active in campus activities. They’ve also planned their first campus event: Putting with the President.   

Adar expects to graduate in the class of 2026. Meeting her and hearing the backstories made my travels this week fulfilling, meaningful, and worthwhile! Our plans are to remain in touch and help increase golf’s popularity at Delaware State University.  

Well, the 4^th Annual African American EXPO & Forum is in the books, over, completed, packed up and ready to start the planning for the 5^th EXPO. I, as the organizer and founder wanted to share some perspectives and thoughts.

Attendee Comments

Below are the comments received from the attendees which always touch my heart as I always want to know “How are we doing, are we impacting and affecting lives,” as I hoped. To that end, here are some of comments I have received from various individuals:

“We thank you for extending  the invitation to us to experience the 4th Annual African American EXPO & FORM. I really enjoyed each and every day, from the Community Gardening initiative, the Youth and Adult golf clinic, and the Golf Scramble. The EXPO exhibit hall was off the chain throughout the whole event. It was packed with sponsors, vendors, and historians as well as supporters from across the country.  The information and networking piece is invaluable. The Experience of the African American EXPO and Forum is one we will not soon forget. We look forward to ‘2025’. Please keep us in the loop. Sincerely,” —Nate & Denise Howard

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“The 4th Annual African American Golf Expo and Forum in Palm Beach was more than just an event—it was a celebration of community, progress, and the future of golf. Greenwood Golf was honored to attend and actively participate in this inspiring gathering, where we connected with golf leaders, learned about exciting new initiatives, and witnessed firsthand the groundbreaking developments that are set to shape the sport’s future. One of the most impactful aspects of the Expo was the opportunity to engage with other leaders in the African American golf community. These connections are vital as we work together to promote diversity, inclusion, and excellence in the sport. The Expo provided a platform to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and forge partnerships that will help us continue to grow and support the Greenwood Golf community.” —Chris Word, CEO, Greenwood Golf

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“Hi Jim! Thank you so much for passing this along and for the opportunity to present at the Expo! It was a pleasure getting to share THE JOHN SHIPPEN story and we are so appreciative of the opportunity and hotel night consideration. All the best,” —Solomon Hughes, Director, Marketing & Development, The John Shippen Classic

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“Hello Jim, I and my family had an awesome time at the EXPO. Ezekiel (2 years old) enjoyed himself from the first day all the way to the time we left Tuesday morning to fly back to New Jersey. We are already anticipating the announcement for the 2025 expo and are informing other golfers who would like to attend next year. It was a pleasure in meeting you and we will definitely keep in touch! Kind Regards,” —Michael Lassiter, President, Strong Exploits

“Thank You for allowing Tristan and I to participate in the 2024 Golf EXPO and Clinic. It allowed us to learn more about golf and different career opportunities. Most of all we had lots of fun.” —Tristan & Derron Blake

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“Dear Jim, I want to express our appreciation for your warm welcome at the African American Golf Expo. My wife, Nina, Jim and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience, and we look forward to being truly involved next year.  Please let us know when you will be in our area so that we can give you a tour of the Historical Shady Rest Country Club and of course play nine holes with us at the “First Ever Black Owned Country Club in America”. We would love to host an event, maybe a clinic, sometime in the near future. Please let us know what you think and how we can work together on this. Thank you again and congratulations on a successful event.” —Tom Donatelli, Chairman, Preserve Shady Rest Committee

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“James, It was great to meet you in person and I appreciate the opportunity to be involved and support the EXPO. Hope you bring it back to our County soon.” —Todd Fleming, VP & Executive Director, Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches, PGA TOUR

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“As for me it’s always a win, win, whenever black folks are engaged in a positive atmosphere.  I enjoyed seeing you again as always the ultimate host.  I thought Arthur Johnson’s exhibit was (12) on a scale of (10).  Sharing some history and brilliant display of four African American Golfing Giants, that have passed on to greener pastures.  Charlie Sifford, Calvin Peete, Lee Elders, and James Black.  Talk about talent, it don’t get much better than that.  Maybe with the exception of one Teddy Rhodes.   Teddy I never met, just his daughter and granddaughter, but I had the pleasure of meeting all of the other four and I cherish those memories.  For the little time that I attended all was good.  I regret not having the time to interact with more vendors and guests.” —John Perry, Retired in Orlando, Fla.    
 

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“This is one of the most significant events in the history of Black golf. It is a wonderful opportunity to advance the game through networking, exhibits and informative sessions. The experience alone is super rewarding. It is a must for the golf enthusiast. I applaud Jim Beatty and his staff for their commitment to this epic event and support them wholeheartedly —Pete McDaniel, Journalist and Historian, Author, Uneven Lies

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“Thank you for bringing the African American Golf Expo to Palm Beach County!  This event provided an incredible opportunity for our local golf community to connect with fellow golfers from across the nation and gain valuable insights into the golf industry. From the engaging keynote speakers to the informative sessions, it was a fantastic learning experience. The networking opportunities were exceptional, and I’m already marking my calendar for 2025!” —Martha Clark, President, Fairview Golf Club, Inc.

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Impact

The EXPO is making an impact locally and nationally, we bring people together and they book rooms, spend money and generate an economic impact in the communities hosting the event. This year, I was presented with two proclamations from governmental entities acknowledging that the EXPO generated 450 rooms and an economic impact of $360,000. This was  presented to me by Bobby Powell former Florida state senator and now a member of the  Palm Beach County Commission.

EXPO Awardees

The Jerry Tarde Courage Award was presented to Jim Awtrey, the first CEO of the PGA of America, because of his stance with Shoal Creek regarding their nonacceptance of Blacks as members. PGA Golf Professional Jim Awtrey, Past CEO of the PGA of America, is recommended as a candidate to receive the second Jerry Tarde Courage and Commitment Award in recognition of his contributions to advancing Black people and the Black community in the game and business of golf. The following notables support this recommendation.

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  In 1990, the change in our PGA Championship Site Selection Policy stipulated that future PGA Championship host clubs must feature open-membership policies and demonstrate that they have minority representation. PGA TOUR, USGA and Augusta National also adopted this policy. Shortly after this policy went into effect, private golf clubs started allowing Black people to be members. In 1995, PGA of America elected George Lewis as an Independent Director to serve on its National Board. Mr. Lewis became the first Black PGA Board Director. Other Black executives and women also became Independent Directors of the PGA National Board.
  
• The EXPO International Ambassadorship
  

 

The EXPO awarded its first International ambassadorship to Glenville Pratt.

Glen is a renowned golf instructor with more than 40 years of professional golf experience traveling throughout the USA and a three-time Bahamas National Golf . He turned  pro in 1982 and was the youngest Bahamian head golf pro in the history of golf in The Bahamas. He is currently the president of Bahamas Professional Golfers Association.

EXPO Volunteer of The Year

It goes without  saying that when one enters the Palm Beach County area, the impact of Malachi and Essie Knowles will be immediately felt. This dynamic duo are always giving back to the community, whether serving as the ultimate hosts on their “patio”, leading the Inner City Youth Golfers Inc., presenting the African American Golfers Hall of Fame or building the ICYG and African American Museum Clubhouse, they just give and give.

The EXPO was proud to name this couple the Volunteer of the Year.

Speakers

Simply the most outstanding lineup ever! Starting with  Maulana Dotch, the first Black female GM in America, The Pro Duffers National President, former National President and head of their foundation, Solomon Hughes,  of the John Shippen Golf Tournament ,Chuck Walker, I Am A Golfer Foundation and the Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest.  

The EXPO also had an outstanding Adaptive Sports Panel, who shared their life’s stories about their challenges  and triumphs and lastly our esteemed keynote speaker,  Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Rhett  gave the most impressive speech I have ever heard in which he talked about his recent climb of Mount Everest and the  daily challenges of Life. Thank You Rhett

This was undoubtably  the best lineup of speakers the EXPO has had to date.

My Thoughts

I , the committee, the volunteer, the sponsors and supporters  want the EXPO to continue connecting people and ideas which lead to action in this great game and industry. As we  consider new locations I would appreciate your suggestions. I accept and appreciate  all feedback as I know  it is all based in the spirit of community to improve and enhance the experience.  I will always do my best to serve my community and everyone who supports my community  through the EXPO. Thank to each of you who have attended or supported me in any way for allowing me to have served the industry for the past several years and I hope for several more. Join me in 2025. Stay updated by visiting https://aagolfexpo.com

Former Spurs Sports & Entertainment Executive to Lead Talent, Culture, Facilities and internal operations

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 17, 2024 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) announced the appointment of Samantha Simmons as its new Chief People and Internal Operations Officer (CPIOO). Simmons brings a wealth of experience, including her previous role as Senior Vice President of People and Culture at Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E), where she led talent strategy and people operations for a workforce of 1,300 employees, ensuring alignment with the organization’s broader goals. Prior to SS&E, Simmons held senior positions at HubSpot, Wayfair, and Koya Partners, further honing her expertise in human resources, operations, strategy and organizational development.

“We are excited to welcome Sam to the LPGA Executive Leadership Team as our Chief People and Internal Operations Officer,” said LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “Sam’s extensive experience across various industries will be invaluable as we continue to cultivate talent and enhance our organizational infrastructure and culture. The LPGA’s success is driven by the dedication and talent of our people, and I am confident that Sam will play a key role in fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and inclusion as we focus on our continued growth and impact.”

In her new role, Simmons will lead the LPGA’s Talent, Culture and Facilities teams, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, talent management, compensation, leadership development, and retention initiatives. Her mission will be to build and nurture the industry’s most diverse and dynamic talent pool, ensuring the LPGA’s continued success and growth. Additionally, Simmons will partner closely with the LPGA’s executive leadership to advance the Association’s mission, vision, values, and strategic objectives.

“I’m thrilled to join the LPGA and have the opportunity to lead efforts that directly contribute to the organization’s goals of being a worldwide leader in sports and a top employer of choice,” said Simmons. “The LPGA has a remarkable legacy and mission at its core, and I’m excited to leverage my experiences across industries to drive a people and internal operations strategy that will help us advance both our short- and long-term goals.”

Simmons’ career spans various industries, including her role as Senior Director of Strategic Projects at HubSpot, where she led initiatives such as hybrid work implementation and international expansion to the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, and Canada. At Wayfair, she served as Chief of Staff and Group Head of People for three executives, with oversight of talent strategy across multiple areas, and prior to that, she managed senior leadership recruitment for the North American Retail business. Her earlier roles at Koya Partners, a national executive search firm focused on nonprofits and social impact organizations, further underscore her commitment to fostering diverse and impactful leadership.

Simmons also serves on the board of Visible Hands, a venture firm dedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs nationwide. A Florida native, she currently resides in Central Florida with her husband, Brett.