Eastside Golf Hosts ‘Community Days’ For Black Golfers Anywhere

Eastside Golf has already established itself as an attire model that bridges golf with Black tradition.

Based by two Morehouse graduates, Eastside Golf has made great strides and gross sales of their mission to make the game an inclusive area. With its first retail retailer opening in Detroit in addition to collaborations with Nike and Jordan, Eastside Golf is a significant participant within the sports activities attire trade.

To founders Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, the purpose is easy. “Our model is for the plenty,” defined Cooper, advised NBC Information.

Dismantling the game’s historic exclusivity, the entrepreneurial duo desires golf fans to not solely rock the model, however put on it on the course. For the previous two years, they’ve taken their efforts to the greens to get extra Black individuals swinging.

By way of their “Neighborhood Days,” they assist on a regular basis and newfound Black golfers discover their stride. Going down in main cities, together with a latest cease in Atlanta, the corporate buys out a whole golf course for the day, turned it right into a cultural cookout, full with free tee instances, meals, and music whereas instructing golf to first-timers.

“We’re right here to indicate that golf is about accessibility, not solely to the golf course itself, however to individuals,” defined Ajanaku concerning the Neighborhood Days. “And that’s the energy of what golf is.”

The Atlanta iteration introduced out Black male youth and their fathers to the Charlie Yates Golf Course. The daddy-and-son duos not solely confirmed off their expertise however broke down obstacles that prevented Black males from the game. Traditionally relegated to the sidelines as caddies, Black males are reclaiming their place and pure means in golf.

The founders have their very own historical past on the course. They had been teammates on Morehouse’s golf workforce. However they wished extra.

“I began this model as a result of I used to be bored with being advised ‘No,’” mentioned Ajanaku. “I bought over 300 ‘Noes’ with pitching Olajuwon as an expert golfer after which additionally pitching Eastside Golf. So why not take the entrepreneur route and sponsor myself? And that’s after I created Eastside Golf.”

The 2 have since scaled the model, bringing in over $10 million in income final 12 months. Nonetheless, giving again is a part of the model’s basis. It’s donated 1000’s to champion numerous students at their alma mater.

With extra leverage in golf trend and media, Eastside Golf additionally sponsors Black golfers on monitor from collegiate to skilled. With celeb ambassadors and different model offers teed up, Eastside Golf is getting ready to altering the golf panorama.

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