Five-part series features PGA Hall of Famer Powell, Midnight Golf founder Fluker, PGA members Cunningham and Jones, LPGA professional Belton
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida (March 9, 2021) — The PGA of America and GoodSport Media has launched the ONYX Video Series – Standouts: Black Women in Golf, five videos that will air now through April on PGA.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The inspirational five-part series brought to you by AIG Life and Retirement begins by documenting Midnight Golf founder/president Renee Fluker of Detroit, whose groundbreaking inner-city program is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Midnight Golf, with year-round participation of Michigan PGA Section Professionals, has earned national recognition for matriculating more than 3,500 at-risk students with 90 percent enrolling in college.
In 1996, PGA Hall of Famer Renee Powell became the first Black woman elected to PGA Membership. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Clearview Golf Club, her family’s owned and operated facility in East Canton, Ohio. Clearview is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as the first Black-owned facility in America, after her late father Bill, also a PGA Hall of Fame Member, founded the course in 1946.
Three alumnae of the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship—PGA Members Jasmin Cunningham of Providence, Rhode Island, and Tiana Jones of Parma, Ohio; and LPGA Professional Alexis Beltonof Ruston, Louisiana – round out the series, while chronicling their unique journey to becoming impact-makers in the industry.
“The women featured in ‘Standouts: Black Women in Golf’ — including three PGA Members — have served as inspiring leaders and trailblazers for the golf industry and the game’s next generation,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “These videos trace their stories of hope, perseverance, accomplishment and triumph.”
“We remain committed to supporting the PGA and building on our commitment to greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the world of golf and the workplace,” said Kevin Hogan, Executive Vice President and CEO, AIG Life & Retirement. “These five women and their powerful stories of dedication and perseverance serve as inspiring examples for the next generation of the golf industry.”
“We are really excited to share the stories of these incredible women and hope their stories will inspire new women and girls of all ages on and off the course, in business, in their communities and beyond,” said Paul Bremer, Founder, GoodSport Media.
Cunningham is now an Associate Account Representative at Titleist Headquarters in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, where she sits on the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee.
Jones, a PGA Director of Instruction at Topgolf Cleveland, won the women’s individual title at the PGA Minority Collegiate Championship (now the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship) a record five times.
Belton, a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University, is ranked No. 3 on the World Long Drive Tour and is the No. 1-ranked American. The winner of the 2013 PGA Minority Collegiate Championship women’s individual title, she is also in her second consecutive season on the Symetra Tour.
For complete bios of each person featured in Standouts: Black Women in Golf, click here
