Norwalk, Connecticut, United States: PGA Golf Exhibitions has announced its support and involvement in the first African American Golf Expo & Forum (AAGEF).

To be held from August 21-24, at the Marietta Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre in Atlanta, the inaugural event is geared toward supporting and growing interest, careers and opportunities for African Americans and other communities currently under-represented in the sport.

It will feature 20,000 square feet of exhibition space reserved for minority-owned/focused businesses and organisations and a variety of sessions on topics ranging from golf programmes at historically black colleges and universities to supplier diversity opportunities.

PGA Golf Exhibitions is also sponsoring a ‘Share Your Story’ video contest for AAGEF exhibiting companies with the winner receiving complimentary exhibit space at the 2022 PGA Show in Orlando (January 25-28).

The PGA Show is the industry’s largest global business gathering, attracting nearly 1,000 participating brands and more than 40,000 golf industry professionals, and is a catalyst for building the business of the sport among industry stakeholders.

“The support from PGA Golf Exhibitions is deeply appreciated and most welcomed. It clearly signals their belief and commitment to increasing diversity in the US$84 billion industry of golf for African Americans,” said Jim Beatty, Founder of African American Golf Expo & Forum, President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures, Executive Editor of the African American Golfer’s Digest and Chairman of the WE ARE GOLF Diversity Task Force Recreational and Competitive Play Committee.

PGA Golf Exhibitions Vice President Marc Simon said: “We are pleased to support the inaugural African American Golf Expo & Forum. PGA Golf Exhibitions is strongly aligned with the goals of increasing inclusion and diversity in the sport and business of golf.

“We applaud the Expo’s organisers in their efforts and are proud to join industry supporters to help grow involvement by under-represented communities.”

African American Golf Expo & Forum events are open to new and experienced golfers, industry professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, media members and golf industry executives with advance registration required at www.aagolfexpo.com.

The four-day event includes a juniors and adult newcomers golf clinic on August 21 and a scramble tournament and silent auction on August 22 at City Club Marietta Golf Course.

The event then moves to the Marietta Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre (August 23-24), for 20 educational workshops, golf exhibits, hourly prize drawings and special networking events.

The inaugural African American Golf Expo & Forum is presented by Golf Digest, organised by Beatty and sponsored by Acushnet, African American Golfer’s Digest, American Junior Golf Association, Cleveland/Srixon, ClubCorp, Georgia State Golfer Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Golf Pride, GOLFTEC, National Golf Course Owners Association, PGA Golf Exhibitions, PGA Tour, PGA Tour Superstore and Titleist as well as the PGA of America and Troon, both Executive Members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.