Every February, we celebrate Black History Month and the heritage, legacies, and enduring impact individuals have made within the game of golf. When we think about these larger-than-life figures we think of names like Charlie Sifford, Renee Powell, Calvin Peete, Lee Elder, and of course, Tiger Woods. These names have been etched in countless record books, trophies and plaques – leaving behind a sort of cultural inheritance in their wakes and an opportunity for the next generation to mark their own stories.
This is what PGA WORKS is all about. It’s about impact and taking head-on one’s own path. It’s about the idea of what, or perhaps, who is next? As we celebrate and honor Black History Month this Feberuary, we look to how PGA WORKS is leaving its mark in golf. To do that, we’ve asked a few of our friends of the program to talk about what this month means to them and how PGA WORKS is redefining legacy for themselves and for those who will come after them.
See below for what they had to say.
“To me, Black History Month is significant for the golf industry because there are still so few of us, yet our impact continues to grow every day. Representation matters, and our presence helps show what’s possible while opening doors for others to follow. For me, being Black in this industry is a strength. It adds perspective, passion, and pride to the work I do. The game of golf is the reason I have the career I’ve built, along with lifelong friendships and meaningful connections that have shaped me both personally and professionally. It’s rare to find a career where your personal values and professional purpose align so naturally, and through golf, I’ve been fortunate to experience that.”
- Jasmin Cunningham, PGA
Talent & Culture Programs Specialist | Acushnet Company
PGA WORKS Committee
“I am deeply grateful to the game of golf for providing me with a collegiate scholarship that set my career in motion and opened the door to extraordinary opportunities. As the industry evolves, it is creating space for voices that have long been underrepresented. Being one of the few minority participants in the PGA Golf Management Program, I understand the significance of representation and am honored to contribute to that progress. I am inspired by the increasing opportunities for diverse communities to engage, lead, and create meaningful impact within the golf industry. It is a privilege to help shape a more inclusive and equitable future for the game.”
- Nyah Singh
PGA of America Associate
Former PGA WORKS Fellow | Indiana PGA Section
“Black History Month resonates deeply with me because it is a celebration of perseverance, strength, and the progress we’ve made in the golf industry. From a history where Black men were only allowed on courses as caddies, to now hosting national championships for HBCU and MSI programs on national television, our journey is one of resilience and triumph—much like the game of golf itself. Golf has shaped my life since I was twelve, teaching me intangible skills like discipline and emotional regulation, and giving me the platform to inspire and support the next generation of leaders. I am proud to be living Black history through golf—whether it’s escorting pioneers like James Chandler and Charlie Sifford Jr., speaking to high school students about the power of the game, or mentoring PGA WORKS Fellows. These experiences remind me that our presence and contributions are vital, and that Black history is not just something we honor, but something we continue to create every day.”
- Tomie Anderson
Former PGA WORKS Fellow, Advocates Professional Golf Association
PGA Jr. League Grants Coordinator | PGA of America
“To me, Black History Month is significant for the golf industry because it recognizes the accomplishments and sacrifices of those whose contributions have been overlooked. In the PGA of America’s countless efforts to grow the game, it has reached communities and spaces that benefit from its causes. One of those communities includes Oakland, California, where I was groomed into a woman capable of taking this game to the next level on and off the course. The past efforts of the amazing pioneers who gave way to thriving individuals, such as myself, should always be honored and recognized for everything labored in love, now and in the future – further exemplifying that to grow the game of golf, we first must be willing to change it.”
- Sydney Raines
John & Tamara Lundgren PGA WORKS Scholar - 2024, 2025
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past, make progress, and build towards the future. As a PGA of America Member, I recognize that others before me and around me have made it possible for me to do the work that I do. I’ll be honest, being Black in the golf industry is difficult at times, and becoming a PGA of America Member isn’t easy. That being said, playing in the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship at PGA Golf Club and TPC Sawgrass, and seeing other diverse, talented golfers, gave me a lot of hope and showed me what’s possible; that’s why I serve on the PGA WORKS Committee to pass that along to others. I recognize that I am part of Black History, as one of fewer than 170 Black PGA of America Golf Professionals worldwide, and that this responsibility includes making golf more inclusive and accessible.”
- Langston Frazier, PGA
Associate Producer, Sirius XM PGA TOUR Radio & Golf Instructor at The Lab 301
PGA WORKS Committee
Through PGA WORKS, we are committed to help equip the next generation of leaders. It’s our why behind being as intentional as possible when it comes to opening doors for new professionals to make an impact on the golf industry and beyond. We’re serious about ensuring golf being both a game and a business open for anyone — and it takes all of us to get there. Learn More →