______________________________________________________________________________________ The  Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass notably lacked African American professional golfers in its 2026 field, raising important questions about representation and opportunity in professional golf. Despite decades of diversity initiatives and increased awareness, African American participation in professional golf remains significantly lower than that of other demographics. This ongoing concern underscores a broader discussion about progress and obstacles within the sport. Several factors contribute to this disparity. Historical exclusion from golf courses and clubs created generational gaps in access and participation. Golf’s high costs—equipment, lessons, and course fees—create barriers for economically disadvantaged communities. Additionally, limited visibility of African… Read More »

Article and photo of Kevin Hammer provided by USGA. ed   Dedicated golf leader, son of a PGA professional elected as the 68th president of the United States Golf Association LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – Mar. 1, 2026 – The United States Golf Association announced it has elected Kevin Hammer, of Boynton Beach, Fla., as its 68th president at the Association’s Annual Meeting in New York, N.Y. Hammer will serve a two-year term spearheading the USGA Executive Committee, the volunteer-led policy-making board that provides essential oversight and organization to the USGA’s full-time staff. Hammer brings a lifetime of golf experience to… Read More »

Article provided by National Golf Foundation.ed “Over the past two years, the total number of open and operating golf courses in the U.S. is virtually unchanged.” “The number of annual course closures has decreased for five straight years, with the 2024 number of shuttered courses dipping to its lowest levels since 2004. Meanwhile, new course openings and development are both up.” Even with the game’s post-pandemic trajectory and notable participation and play gains in recent years, it is a departure from the supply correction that the U.S. golf market has experienced for much of the past two decades. Since 2022… Read More »