Did you know that less than one percent of PGA’s 29,000 members are African Americans?
Well, 4Tee Acres is here to change that.
Karl Jones and his wife Angel Rich-Jones are helping Black people get in their golf bag! In partnership with PGA, the couple has launched a non-profit, signature HBCU program called 4tee Acres, to provide students equitable access to golf clubs, clothes, clinic resources.
The program will enable students to travel for golf tournaments, support recruiting efforts, and build a pipeline to being a PGA professional while learning real-world skills.
The program is created by proud HBCU alums. Angel is a Hampton University alum, and Bowie State University Foundation board member, and Karl is a Howard University alum.
The 4tee Acres will promote financial literacy, STEM, and golf at HBCUs with the mission to Drive for Diversity and increase Black women in golf.
“Expanding opportunities for HBCU students without barriers opens doors for an infinite future of young Black golfers to accomplish new heights and for HBCU golf programs to increase authority as they grow beyond expectation,” Rich-Jones says. “4tee Acres is devoted to promoting equity in golf from students to professionals and we look forward to working together to expand diversity across the industry.
There are currently 20 HBCUs with golf programs. At 4Tee Acres, the mission is to “expand the golf industry” throughout all HBCUs. One of the program’s primary goals is to place ‘putting greens’ at 50 HBCUs across the United States.
4Tee Acres believes providing access to golfing facilities promotes more physical activity, teamwork, and healthy competition among HBCU students.
This program will allow each school the ability to invite more students to participate in learning golf, building financial health, and strengthening STEM skills. With increased resources 4tee Acres aims to assist schools with quality golf clinics with lessons from PGA professionals, appropriately sized clubs, and clothes from an upcoming fashion line.
“Through PGA REACH we will be able to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections, and the game of golf,” said J.P. Lunn, PGA member and President of PGA REACH Middle-Atlantic.
4Tee Acres also hopes to host annual Golf Tournaments in the future to showcase the skills of their members and raise funds for HBCU-based community goals.
To learn more about 4tee Acres, please visit its official website at 4TeeAcres.com
Be sure to also follow the brand on Instagram @4Tee.Acres.
