Winter/January 2008
Vol. 5, No. 4

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Walter "Cricket" Pritchett Inducted Into PCA Worldwide Caddie Hall of Fame

Walter "Cricket" Pritchett was honored with induction into the Professional Caddie Association (PCA) Worldwide Caddie Hall of Fame in January 2007. Pritchett’s longtime caddie buddy, Alfred “Rabbit” Dyer, nominated him for the award.

Pritchett, now 63 years old, started caddying when he was 10 years old in Houston, Texas. Walter, who grew up without a father, was able to provide most of the family’s income by caddying after school and on weekends.

(...read more in the Spring 2007 issue.)

2007 African American Golf Classic

The SOLD OUT 10th annual benefit Golf Classic sponsored by the Hernando County African American Club will enrich local youth endeavors by about $12,500.

"It's the most we've ever raised," according to organizer of the annual weekend event Gordon Fleming. The classic, held at the Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks, in Brooksville, Florida, drew an ethnic mix of participants from across the country.

This year, an exciting Friday scramble was added to the usual Saturday-Sunday tourney, with proceeds of about $2,500 was designated for the Jerome Brown Community Center in Brooksville.

(...read more in the Spring 2007 issue.)

2007 PGA Show Highlights

In 2004, when if you walked the aisles, there were hardly any black-owned businesses on the showroom floor.

With the hard work, dedication and determination of the staff and volunteers at the African American Golfer's Digest, over 24 minority-owned businesses have had an opportunity to display their products and services at the world's largest golf trade show.

The AAGD Diversity Pavilion (500 sq. ft.) was an enormous success for the magazine and for the millions of black golfers and black golf businesses seeking to be a part of this industry that in 2008.

Golf Merchants!
Join us at the Show
January 29, 30, 31, 2009


Download the 2009 Marketing Package Here

If you are in the business of golf you won't want to miss this exciting Show!

Willie McRae: A Living Legend

For more than six decades Willie McRae has walked the pristine and historic fairways of Pinehurst Golf Club and Resort with a humble and quiet dignity. He has helped carry on the proud tradition of the black caddie and for almost 80 years the McRae family has played a prominent role in the history of Pinehurst.

The McRae Family is just as much a part of the history of Pinehurst as it’s more famous guests. Thaddeus McRae, the son of a sharecropper started caddying at the Pinehurst Golf Club in 1927. He was one of many black caddies that traveled from the Taylortown, NC a small town just two miles from the resort to work at the Golf course that the Tufts Family owned. Caddying was a way to earn money and support his wife and twelve children.

(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)

Hercules O. Pitts Becomes Owner
Of Two Maryland Golf Courses

The Greeks described the mythological “Hercules” as a man of prodigious size and strength and one of very great courage.

The Greater Metropolitan Washington Area has its own “modern day Hercules”. He is Hercules O. Pitts, a local Developer and General Contractor, who has become the State of Maryland’s only African American 18-hole golf course owner. He adds his name as another of the very few minority golf course owners in the U.S.

(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)

The 4th Annual Communion Cup Golf Classic and Jazz Celebration held Monday, September 25, 2006 at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois.

PGA Black Pro Golf Legend, James Black was in attendance and congratulated winners at the event that created lots of excitement, especially with Kirk Whalum performing at the Meet & Greet at Cog Hill’s Clubhouse.

(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)

Cascade United Methodist Church Golf Academy (CUMCGA)

Planning for the golf Cascade United Methodist Church Golf Academy (CUMCGA) started in 2004. Founding members held their first annual meeting in January 2005 and the program kicked off their golf instruction segment during the spring of 2005. In 2006, they were able to negotiate 20 slots with the City of Atlanta for the Camp Best Friends program for youth and all slots were filled immediately!

The organization, led by President, Kenneth D. Parks is growing golf in the religious sector with tremendous velocity.

(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)

Dr. Betty Brabble keeps you on the 'straight and narrow' with the rules of golf.

As President of the Wake Robin Golf Club, the nations oldest black women's golf group, based in Washington, DC, she answers your toughest questions 'by the book' according to USGA rules.

With years of golf playing experience, Dr. Betty Brabble will help you discover the joy of playing the game correctly.

Submit your questions to the "Ask Betty" column at
E-mail: Betty2811@aol.com

Dr. Betty Brabble

In Memory of Russell Taylor: The Tee Box

Your tee time is called and you are ready to begin your round. Before you make your first swing let’s review this “hallowed ground”. By visualizing a target in the distance it will minimize any focus you may have on the direction the teeing area may be pointing.

Russell Taylor first minority professional hired by the Pebble Beach Company in 1989, Head Golf Professional at Douglass Golf Course in Indianapolis, IN and Junior Golf Coordinator for the golf division of Indianapolis City Parks & Recreation.

(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)

Billy Helmes Wins NNGA National Championship

Salute to Mr. Billy Helms, Vice President of Vera Moore Cosmetics, based in Plainview, NY, won the The National Negro Golf Association (NNGA) National Championship for 2006. The tournament as held October 11-15 at the PGA Golf Club in Point St. Lucie, Florida.

(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)

Bull Creek Commemorates 10th Anniversary

Bull Creek welcomed over 70 golfers, plus family and friends for a weekend of great golf, food, southern hospitality, live entertainment and late night fireworks.

Addie Cobb, our talented golf trainer and a contributing editor, in Valdosta, Georgia, is hands on with each of her students. This issue, she helps you practice your putting with tips for high and low handicappers. Follow her detailed instruction drills and see how you can improve your roll and keeping your ball on line.


Addie's Tip: When putting, your tempo should be smooth. Do not hit or jab, but stroke your putts.
(...read more in the Fall 2006 issue.)

The directors, youth, volunteers and friends of the Northern California Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association (NCMJGSA) held its’ 17th Annual Sacramento River City Golf Classic and Fundraiser July 7, 2006 at Wildhorse Golf Club in Davis, California.

The golfers, along with founder Willie Simmons had an enjoyable time. The weather was warm and some very low scores were posted. Golfers dined on delicious Bar-B-Cue beef and tri-tip and chicken at the Awards Banquet.
(...read more in the Winter/Jan. 2007 issue.)

Robin Aikens (LPGA)
Covering the "Celebrity Beat"

Check out the latest happenings with Robin, as she covers the celebrity beat while attending some of the hottest golf outings and tournaments across the country.

Along with running her own successful golf program, and training clinics this author, and mother of twins, also has the latest details, sightings, and goings-on, of anybody who's who!

Eve Wright
Former Director of Legal Affairs
LPGA

The game of golf for Eve Wright, prior to joining the Ladies Professional Golf Association as Director of Legal Affairs, was an elusive sport. Promoting golf turned into being among her most challenging accomplishments. While there, her position at the LPGA, a non-profit corporation supporting women’s golf, thrust her into a profession where she was able to hone her golf skills while advancing the organization.

(...read more in the Spring 2005 issue.)

Pro Golf at Camp Creek owned by Weldon Coleman and Shirley Henderson Coleman, the retail shop is fast becoming the hangout for golfers on the south side of Atlanta. With first class décor, excellent selection, competitive prices and friendly service, it’s a great place to purchase golfequipment. Pro Golf at Camp Creek is the only African American owned store in the Pro Golf International franchise network.

First Place winners of the Inner City Youth Golfer's Assoc. Scholarship Tournament are all smiles after their team effort on May 22 at the Links on Madison Green, Royal Palm Beach. Fl.

(...read more in the Fall 04 issue.)

History Makers
William J. Powell is the only African American in the world to design, build, own and operate a golf course. What has helped keep his dream alive at his Clearview Golf Course in Canton, Ohio?

Let William J. Powell (right) tell you all about it himself. The 91-year-old, WWII veteran has decades of experience at the legendary golf course that is now managed by his beautiful daughter and Head Golf Professional Renee Powell, PGA/LPGA (left).

(...read more about the "Living Legacy of Clearview" in the Spring 2004 issue.

Atlanta Chapter of 100 Black Men raised more than $150,000 in proceeds during their annual golf classic at the Golf Club of Georgia. The fundraiser benefits "Project Success", a youth initiative aimed at helping participants develop academic, leadership and life skills.

(...read more in the Summer 2005 issue)