https://lasentinel.net/apga-helps-present-and-future-golfers.html
The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) has provided opportunities to BIPOC golfers since 2010. The organization was founded by Ken Bentley and Adrian Stills; it has since given competition, mentorship, and professional development to over 600 golfers of color.
The APGA works to keep the fees low for golfers on their tours, according to Bentley. “I want to give these guys a chance to realize their dream and with the APGA Tour, we’ve been fortunate enough to raise money to do that,” Bentley said. “We’re buying equipment, we pay for their tournament entry fees.” This year, the AGPA has 16 tournaments throughout the United States for professional golfers. There is also the Bridgestone APGA Collegiate Ranking, that give exposure and resources golfers at community colleges and four-year institutions. The top golfer of the Collegiate Ranking received an exemption for the APGA Tour Farmer’s Invitational.
An annual tournament is the Juneteenth Classic that takes place at the Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles. During the Classic, players on tour got an opportunity to meet celebrity sponsors and local dignitaries. The APGA also hosted a youth clinic for the members of Tee Divas and Tee Dudes (TDTD), the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, and First Tee Los Angeles. Youth not only practiced golf but also learned financial literacy through a partnership with Chase Bank. “We teach youth that you can change the trajectory,” said Chase vice president community manager Erika Castellanos. “By establishing small changes and habits, that can go a long way for your future.” Bethune mentioned how APGA has donated shoes to the junior golfers of TDTD in the past. “The APGA has been coming to Chester Washington and hosting Junior clinics and other events for the past five years, they’re a very good community partner,” said TDTD junior chairperson Jenny Bethune. “It’s expensive but they are helping by providing other things for the kids.” The youth also learned about golfing from professional golfers on the tour. Participants played golf on the driving range and the putting green. They learned about golfing techniques as well as the golfing profession. “I can’t imagine myself being able to do anything better with my time,” said pro golfer Rovonta Young. “Being able to be out here with the youth and seeing all the potential that is going to be on the tour one day is very, very awesome.” Pro golfer Andrew Fernandes helped youth with their putting skills. His advice to youth is to have fun with the sport. “It means a lot to me come out here,” Fernandes said. “I’m from Long Beach, so to be able to come out here, be here at home and to help the community and helping the kids is very cool.” First Tee teaches five key commitments: growing through challenge, pursuing goals, building positive self-identity, collaborating with others, and good judgment. “One of my favorite things is when the kids have no golf skills and they’re literally out here for only 30-minute rotation … they’re hitting, their whole grip has changed,” said First Tee LA program director Heather Medina. Several of the youth from the Long Beach Boys and Girls Club did not have prior experience with golf, according to organization athletic director Shareif Shelton. “It’s beautiful to see because it opened their minds up to something different, not something that they’re used to,” Shelton said. “For them to learn about financial … they learn to separate their wants from their needs and then they also learn about generational wealth.”
