The PGA of America and the One Hundred Black Men of New York (OHBM) have forged a significant partnership aimed at promoting inclusivity within the sport of golf. This collaboration is set to introduce opportunities in golf to members of the Junior One Hundred (JOH) program. To kickstart this endeavor, the Junior One Hundred Challenge was held at Ardsley Country Club on August 7-8 in Dobbs Ferry, New York.
This strategic partnership and the Junior One Hundred Challenge provide an invaluable platform for 70 local, Black college, and high school-aged JOH members. These young individuals will not only learn the fundamentals of golf but also gain insights into potential career paths within the expansive $102 billion golf industry and various related sectors. The event will also emphasize how golf can play a pivotal role in shaping their future careers.
The JOH program, designed for youth aged 12 to 24, focuses on essential aspects such as career exploration, character development, personal growth, and mentorship.
The event itself promises a diverse range of activities, including a clinic led by PGA Professionals, a thought-provoking “Leading with You” panel discussion centered around discovering inner strength and purpose through career aspirations, an address by New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks, a Career Services Resume Workshop, and a special opportunity to interact with esteemed figures such as PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh, PGA Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Price, and OHBM President Aldrin Enis.
Furthermore, the event will feature a Pro-Am styled, 9-hole playing lesson where 25 JOH members will be paired with PGA Professionals. Following this play, each participating player will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship from OHBM to further their education.
PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh expressed the organization’s deep appreciation for its partnership with the One Hundred Black Men of New York, recognizing them as an impactful, community-oriented organization in New York. Waugh emphasized the importance of introducing the game of golf and highlighting the wealth of career opportunities it offers to young adults in the growing golf industry.
The “Leading with You” Panel will include insights from esteemed individuals such as Troon Golf DE&I Director Kendall Murphy, PGA, John Mackey, Regional Vice President of Enterprise Holdings for Long Island, and Jodi Brockington, Founder of Niara Consulting. They will share their unique career journeys, inspiring and enlightening the JOH participants.
Erik Cliette, Interim Executive Director of the One Hundred Black Men of New York, underscored the significance of this partnership in bringing golf to inner-city children who might not otherwise have access to this transformative game. He expressed confidence that as these young students’ corporate experiences deepen, they will come to appreciate the game’s value as a platform for advancement.
This marks the second year that OHBM has collaborated with the PGA of America, PGA REACH (the charitable foundation of the PGA of America), and PGA WORKS (an initiative focused on diversifying the golf industry’s workforce) to host the Junior One Hundred Challenge, reaffirming their commitment to promoting diversity and opportunity in the world of golf.
