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PGA NCCGA Fall Championship and Invitational to be Held December 7-8, 2024, at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club

by AAGD NEWSWIRE
written by AAGD NEWSWIRE
PGA NCCGA Fall Championship Website | Regional Events Sites/Schedule

FRISCO, Texas (August 21, 2024) – The PGA National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) has announced the 2024 PGA NCCGA Fall Championship and Invitational will be held Dec. 7-8 at the iconic Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina.

Pinehurst is home to 10 18-hole courses and regularly hosts numerous championships, including the 2024 U.S. Open. The Fall Championship and Invitational will be held on Numbers 5, 6 and 8.

“This is such an amazing opportunity for the NCCGA to conduct these events at the same resort that hosted the U.S. Open in June,” Branden Thompson, PGA, PGA of America Lead for the NCCGA said. “I guarantee it will be an experience these collegiate players will never forget.”

Held in the fall and spring, the PGA NCCGA Championship features more than 300 of the nation’s best collegiate club golfers. As the governing body for collegiate club golf, the NCCGA ensures every student can play golf in college and assists them in starting, maintaining and facilitating club golf tournaments regionally and nationally. More than 200 colleges across the United States field club golf teams.

“Pinehurst Resort has always been a welcome home for golf championships. Many of those have happened on the world stage, including four U.S. Opens, the U.S. Women’s Open, the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup,” said Matt Barksdale, Pinehurst Resort’s PGA Director of Golf. “But Pinehurst has also always been a gathering place to crown the best amateurs in the game.

A long tradition that includes the North & South Amateur, the Women’s North & South Amateur as well as multiple U.S. Amateurs and the U.S. Women’s Amateur, Pinehurst is proud to continue celebrating amateur players and their opportunities to compete in hosting the PGA National Collegiate Club Golf Championship.”
Club golf teams will compete with each other in their respective regions throughout September and October (schedule), with an opportunity to advance to the Championship and Invitational.

The NCCGA operates three 36-hole tournaments in each of the 27 regions across the country. The top teams and individuals in the country receive an automatic bid to the Championship. All tournaments are co-ed and open to active college students of all skill levels, and individual students can represent their schools if they don’t have the required five students to form a team.

The Invitational provides an additional opportunity for more students to compete in a national event. Invitations are extended to one team from each of the 27 regions that did not qualify for the Championship, as well as the next top individuals not competing on a team.
Teams from Grand Canyon University and Miami University (Ohio) earned bids to the 2024 Fall Championship and Invitational with their back-to-back wins at the 2023 Fall Championship and Invitational and the 2024 Spring Championship.

Fall Championship & Fall Invitational Format and Qualifying InformationIn the fall only, the Championship is accompanied by an Invitational.

Fall Championship Qualifiers:Three (3) automatic qualifiers from five zones across the countryHighest-ranked teams not included in one of the automatic qualifiersDefending champion from the previous Fall Championship (Grand Canyon University), Fall Invitational (Miami University-Ohio) and Spring Championship (Grand Canyon University and Miami University-Ohio were co-champions of the event)Other exemptions as identified by the NCCGATop individual students not otherwise on qualified teams

Fall Invitational Qualifiers:One (1) team from each of the 27 regions that aren’t participating in the ChampionshipTeams who have exceptional stories and exemplify what club golf is all aboutThe next top individual students (who were not on a competing team)About the PGA National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA)The PGA NCCGA is the national governing body of collegiate club golf and is operated by the PGA of America. With more than 300 schools and 5,000 members, the NCCGA makes college golf a reality for any student. For more information about the PGA NCCGA, visit NCCGA.org and follow on Instagram.
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NewsSliderTournaments

SGBC Announces Kinderlou Forest Golf Tournament

by Contributor
written by Contributor

The Southern Georgia Black Chambers (SGBC) announces its annual Golf Tournament set to take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the prestigious Kinderlou Forest Golf Club. According to organizers, the event promises a day of friendly competition, networking opportunities, and community building, all while supporting the SGBC’s mission to foster economic growth and empowerment. The event welcomes seasoned golfers and individuals that just want to enjoy a day out on the greens.

Teams of four can participate in a four-person scramble format and compete for cash prizes and bragging rights. The scenic Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, known for its challenging layout and immaculate conditions, will provide the backdrop for the tournament event. Businesses and organizations are also invited to participate as sponsors. Various sponsorship levels offer unique benefits, including brand exposure, networking, speaking opportunities, and the chance to showcase sponsors’ commitment to the community.

From title sponsorships to hole sponsorships, there is an option for every budget and goal. “We are excited to bring our community together for another fantastic golf tournament,” said Kimberly Grissom-Dixon, VP of Events & Programs of the SGBC. “This event is not only a great opportunity for networking and fun, but it also directly supports our mission to foster economic growth and empowerment in Southern Georgia.”

Proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit the SGBC’s initiatives, including programs that support small businesses, provide educational resources, and promote economic development in the region. Registration for teams and sponsorships is now open. Golfers and sponsors should visit the SGBC website at www.sgablackchambers.org/golf to secure a spot or explore sponsorship opportunities.

For questions and registration, Dee Dunbar at 703-472-9200 can be reached for more information. About the Southern Georgia Black Chambers: The Southern Georgia Black Chambers is a dynamic organization dedicated to empowering small businesses and professionals through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.

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Enter the LPGA $100,000 Fan Putt Contest Presented By Odyssey

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

The $100K Fan Putt Sweepstakes, presented by Odyssey, runs from August 26 to October 20. By entering, you could be one of four winners selected to attend the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, FL, from November 21 to 24. Winners will receive roundtrip economy airfare for two, four nights of accommodations, two general admission weekly passes to the tournament, and a custom Odyssey® putter.

At the event, each winner will have the chance to putt for a $100,000 grand prize. If they do not win the grand prize, they will receive a consolation prize of a full set of custom Callaway clubs. See full details regarding the sweepstakes terms and conditions HERE.

Odyssey is one of five powerful Callaway Golf brands — Callaway, Odyssey, Toulon Design, OGIO and TravisMathew – that together offer golfers all over the world everything they need – clubs, balls, bags, apparel, footwear, bags, accessories – to play better and enjoy the game more.

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AfricaCommunity News

“December In Ghana” 2024 – January 2025 Schedule Released

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff
[CLICK HERE or the IMAGE ABOVE TO VIEW SCHEDULE]

December in Ghana is a vibrant and festive time, marked by a series of annual events and celebrations that attract both thousands of locals and international tourists. As the holiday season approaches, the “December In Ghana” atmosphere across the country becomes electric, with a mix of cultural, musical, and social events that showcase Ghana’s rich heritage and lively spirit.

One of the most significant festivities is the “Year of Return,” a celebration that began in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in the Americas. This event has transformed into an annual gathering that invites the African diaspora back to Ghana to reconnect with their roots. The celebration includes concerts, cultural tours, and art exhibitions that highlight Ghanaian culture and history.

In addition to the “Year of Return,” the capital city, Accra, hosts several music festivals, such as AfroFuture and Afro Nation. These events feature performances from both local and international artists, attracting thousands of music lovers from around the world. Street parties, parades, and markets add to the festive spirit, with vibrant decorations and colorful attire everywhere.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are also celebrated with great enthusiasm, with families and friends gathering for feasts, exchanging gifts, and attending church services. December in Ghana truly captures the country’s joyous and communal spirit, making it a unique destination for holiday festivities.

CLICK HERE to view the 2024 “December In Ghana” schedule of events.

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19th HoleSlider

Enjoying the 19th Hole At Disney

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff
(l-R) John Perry, Bill Hopson, Otis Windhan, Bill Hopson Jr.

In mid-August, after playing the Palms Course at Disney, (L-R) AAGD Reporter John Perry with former Disney cast member and Negro Baseball League Hall of Famer Bill Hopson, along with AAGD writer Otis Windham, and Bill Hopson Jr.,(Atlanta, Ga. resident)

“Number 9 at the Palm is a par 4 that will challenge the best of golfers of all levels.  Walt Disney World’s three frequently played courses, the Palm, Magnolia, and Lake Buena Vista used to be home to the PGA Tour Walt Disney World Golf Classic, from 1971-2012.  Arnold Palmer redesigned the Palm in 2013. By any standard, they’re all three well maintained courses, but my personal favorite is the Palm,” said Perry.

Located at 1950 W. Magnolia Palm Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, Disney’s Palm Golf Course underwent a complete redesign by the Arnold Palmer Design Company in Summer 2013. The extensive renovation included entirely new green complexes, reshaped tees, and a modernized bunker design, giving this historic course a fresh, updated look. These significant changes have greatly enhanced the course, and we are thrilled with the results.

This 18-hole championship course features shimmering lakes, tropical sands, palm trees, and sloping greens. With 9 holes containing water hazards and 59 bunkers, Disney’s Palm Golf Course offers plenty of challenges for both novices and seasoned pros.

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Golf BizNews

Expo seeks to increase African American involvement in golf industry

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff
African American Golf EXPO Founder, Jim Beatty

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. —

Palm Beach County is the home for this year’s African American Golf Expo and Forum.

Its goal is to introduce and motivate African Americans to get involved in the sport and the industry overall.

“There are 25.6 million golfers in America classified as recreational golfers, of which 5% are African American and Black. Well, we think there’s room for that to double, possibly triple, but people have to become familiar with the game,” Jim Beatty, CEO of the African American Golf Expo and Forum, said.

Beatty created the expo and forum to be a gateway into the sport for Black people.

“This is a $102 billion industry, and we want African Americans to understand there are jobs in the industry. You do not have to be a golfer to have a job in the industry,” Beatty said.

African American Golfer’s Digest exhibits at the EXPO

The expo features keynote speeches from industry leaders, workshops, and vendors who represent different areas of the sport – all hoping to pique the interest of at least one new person. The Expo will be held August 24-27, at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott in Palm Beach County, Florida. For more information visit https://aagolfexpo.com

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African American Golf Expo & Forum In Full Swing in Palm Beach (Photo Highlights)

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

The 4th Annual African American Golf EXPO & Forum kicked-off in Palm Beach, Florida, on August 23, bringing together friends, exhibitors, and attendees to network and celebrate the game of golf. Running through August 27 at the Marriott Palm Beach Gardens, the EXPO is a unique event that celebrates golf, culture, and community, aiming to engage, inspire, and connect enthusiasts, professionals, and newcomers. For more information or to register, visit aagolfexpo.com. See a few photo highlights captured by AAGD photojournalist John Perry and the schedule of events below.

AAGD Photojournalist John Perry and AAGD Executive Editor James Beatty at the 4th African American Golf Expo in Palm Beach Garden, Florida.
Arthur Johnson, former manager for Calvin Peet’s “Cal’s Kids” and close friend, and advisor to the late Lee Elder. Here, in Palm Beach, at the 4th African American Golf Expo sporting a shirt in memory of his close friend.
Arthur Johnson with AAGD Reporter John Perry holding up a true keepsake, Lee Elder’s personal Master’s chair owned by Johnson.
My New Jersey friends, Tom Donnatelli (right) and his wife active members of the Preserve Shady Rest Committee in Scotch Plains, N.J. (photo John Perry)
Alyssa and her father enjoying a bonding moment at the Expo.  She trains out at the Palm Beach Par 3 course.  An executive course with (18) par 3’s.  Director of the facility is Tony Chateauvert.  Affectionately known as “Mr. Tony” A

lexis Thompson’s nephew trains at the Par 3 as well. (photo by John Perry)
Arthur Johnson holds his commemorative group photo of Lee Elder, Honorary Starter at the 2021 Masters tournament (photo by John Perry).
Lee Elder’s personal chair that Authur Johnson has as a keepsake. (photo by John Perry)
Michael Terlenda, & Ezekiel Lassiter enjoying a family moment at the Golf Expo. (photo by John Perry)
AAGD photojournalist John Perry with Bob Denney, John Shippen and Shady Rest Country Club Historian (and to me he’s a lookalike to former PGA Commissioner Tim Finchen. What ‘yall think?
Alyssa is a 12-year-old 7th graded who just started playing golf two years ago.  She’s getting a lot of ink as a pretty good up and coming junior golfer.   She attends Bak Middle School of the Arts.  Her favorite subject is math and her favorite golfer is Alexis Thompson. She has qualified for the Drive, Chip & Putt competition at Augusta National for 2025.
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Women In Golf Foundation 2025 Championship
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Mark Your Calendars: National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship Heads Back to Katy in 2025

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff

The National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship, hosted by the Women In Golf Foundation, is set to return to Katy, Texas, for the 2025 event. This marks the second consecutive year the tournament will be held outside the metro Atlanta area, where WIGF is headquartered. The 2024 event took place at The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, an Arcis Golf facility in Katy, near Houston, Texas. This annual championship is the foundation’s major fundraising event.

The 2025 tournament will once again be presented by Arcis Golf at their acclaimed course, The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, welcoming participants for three rounds of fierce competition. This event will also celebrate the Women in Golf Foundation’s 30th anniversary. As an invitational tournament, selected women’s college teams will compete for the prestigious Renee Powell Cup, named in honor of Renee Powell, a trailblazing African American female professional golfer. The winning team will hold the trophy for the year they reign as champions.

Mark your calendars for March 30th – April 2nd to be part of this exciting event. Sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon. For more information, visit the Women In Golf Foundation website at womeningolffoundation.org.

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Topgolf Downgraded to Sell on Fear Spinoff Comes ‘Too Late’

by AAGD NEWSWIRE
written by AAGD NEWSWIRE

(Bloomberg) — Slowing sales at Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.’s namesake driving ranges and a hefty debt load that threatens to frighten off buyers spurred Raymond James to slash the company’s rating.

Analyst Joseph Altobello double downgraded Topgolf Callaway, cutting his recommendation to underperform from outperform, making him just the second analyst among the 14 tracked by Bloomberg to back selling the shares. After notching a 1.6% slide Friday, the stock’s slump for the year deepened to 22%.

“Acquisitions have led to a bloated balance sheet,” Altobello said. The company is conducting a strategic review of its Topgolf driving-range chain, including a potential spinoff, but he worries that such a deal might come “too late.”

The downgrade follows just weeks after the company reported lackluster second-quarter revenue on weaker-than-expected same-venue sales at its Topgolf chain, and cut its revenue and profit forecasts for the full year.

“Our rating largely reflects the recent deterioration in same-venue sales at Topgolf, and while we applaud management’s openness to a potential spinoff of the business, the company’s levered balance sheet appears to limit its opportunities,” Altobello wrote in a note to clients. “Investors should avoid the shares until we gain greater clarity on both situations.”

To Altobello, the sales trends raise questions about who would step in as a buyer of the Topgolf business. “We don’t think either private equity or strategic buyers such as Bowlero, Dave & Buster’s or SeaWorld would necessarily be interested given these weakening trends and the significant venue build costs,” he said.

Worse yet, even if the firm is able to successfully spin off Topgolf from its legacy golf business, the likelihood that it will be able recoup its initial investment in the chain is low, according to Altobello. Callaway Golf Co. bought the remainder of Topgolf Entertainment Group in late 2020, in a deal that valued the driving-range chain at about $2 billion.

In the roughly four years since the Topgolf deal was announced — during what Altobello says was arguably the “greatest period in the history of the sport/industry” — shares of the firm have fallen more than 40%. Over that same stretch, Acushnet Holdings Corp., which owns brands like Titleist and FootJoy, has seen its shares nearly double.

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From Juniors to Pros, APGA Celebrates Achievements in the Cisco Cup Series

by AAGD Staff
written by AAGD Staff
Morgan Riley claimed victory in the first event with an impressive -5 finish at the third annual Cisco Juniors Series (photo APGA)

The Cisco Cup Series has officially wrapped up, and what an exhilarating season it was! Spectators were treated to phenomenal performances from golfers who showcased incredible skill, passion, and unwavering dedication to the game. Cisco is a Presenting Partner of the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour and the partnership expands commitment to bringing greater diversity and inclusion to golf.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. This season’s impact goes beyond the fairways as the series has also played a pivotal role in developing the next generation of golfing talent. There’s so much to celebrate! Here’s a glimpse of some of the standout moments from this unforgettable season:

Chase Johnson’s Stellar Season Continues!

Chase Johnson’s exceptional season keeps soaring to new heights! His remarkable performance secured him the top spot in the Cisco Cup Series and the esteemed Mastercard APGA Player Achievement Award. This accolade provides financial support to help cover his travel expenses and development resources as he works towards his dream of playing on the PGA TOUR.

Cisco Junior Series Kickoff!

The third annual Cisco Juniors Series began with a bang at TPC Sugarloaf, setting the stage for the future stars of golf. Morgan Riley claimed victory in the first event with an impressive -5 finish, outperforming a talented field of six boys from across the country. And the excitement is just beginning—there are three more events to look forward to this season!

Youth Clinic Update!

This year has been incredible for youth engagement, with seven APGA Foundation youth clinics presented by Farmers Insurance, reaching over 600 young golfers! The most recent clinic, hosted with First Tee Metro Atlanta, attracted more than 100 participants. And there’s even more to come—watch the website for updates on additional clinics!

Scholarship Impact!

Over $6,000 in scholarships have been awarded this year to deserving young athletes to support their academic ambitions. Recent scholarship recipient Jaylen Young expressed his thanks, stating, “This prize will greatly impact my college journey. Thank you for believing in students like me.”

The season is shaping up to be unforgettable, with bright futures ahead for these talented golfers! Learn more about the Advocates Pro Golf Tour Association at https://www.apgatour.org

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Greenwood Golf Celebrates Excellence: D’Yanni Rhyne Shines as a Standout Freshman at Johnson C. Smith University

by AAGD NEWSWIRE
written by AAGD NEWSWIRE
D’Yanni Rhyne

In the world of collegiate sports, few accomplishments are as remarkable as those earned during a student-athlete’s freshman year. It is with great pride and excitement that we celebrate D’Yanni Rhyne of Johnson C. Smith University, who has not only made his mark on the golf course but has also etched his name in history with a string of prestigious accolades.

D’Yanni’s outstanding performance has earned him a place on the Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) All-Freshmen Team, the title of the Golf Coaches Association of America’s (GCAA) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Outstanding Freshman, and the coveted BCGCA Outstanding Freshman award. His journey is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of his team and coaches.

A Rising Star in NCAA Division II Golf

D’Yanni Rhyne’s achievements in his freshman year are nothing short of extraordinary. Competing at the NCAA Division II level, he has demonstrated a level of skill and poise that sets him apart from his peers. His selection to the BCGCA All-Freshmen Team is a reflection of his exceptional talent and commitment to excellence. This honor recognizes the top freshman golfers across the nation, and D’Yanni has proven himself to be among the best of the best.
Read more about this outstanding athlete at greenwoodgolf.com

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