Beyond the Green is a career exploration event held annually in conjunction with the PGA Championship. Students from historically underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in a career in the golf industry have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and get a behind the scenes look at the operations of a Major Championship.
This year our focus will be on the 2021 PGA Championship in Kiawah Island, South Carolina as well as some special behind the scenes opportunities at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship being contested in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Through Keynote Speakers, special guests, panels with industry professionals and our special Behind The Scenes Tour, you won't want to miss this event!
Join us, right here, on May 19th, 2021 at 11:00 am ET for a special insider look at the golf industry through a Major Championship.
11:00am - 11:05am | Welcome |
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11:05am - 11:10am | Presidents Address | Jim Richerson, PGA of America President |
11:10am - 11:30am | Keynote Address | Monica McNutt, Game and Studio Analyst, ESPN ACC Network |
11:30am -12:00pm | Inside the Ropes Tour of the PGA Championship & KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship |
12:05pm -12:40pm | Plenary Session, Hospitality & Golf: Intersection of Sports, Entertainment and Pop Culture |
12:40pm - 1:15pm | Fireside Chat | James Brown, CBS Sportscaster, Host of "The James Brown Show" and "NFL Today" |
1:20pm - 1:55pm | Plenary Session, Golf Talk Panel | Conversations with PGA Professionals |
1:55pm - 2:00pm | Conclusion |
Linnet Carty has been at the PGA of America for over four years and has twelve years of experience in diversity, equity and inclusion. She heads up programming for the four PGA LEAD Cohorts, as well as creating and implementing inclusion strategies. Linnet is responsible for educating and training the 29,000 PGA Professionals across the nation and the staff of 300. She also works on Workforce Diversification, Supplier Inclusion and Community Engagement. She is also the author of the ‘Inclusion Guidelines for Golf Facilities’.
Linnet Carty - Emcee
PGA President Jim Richerson is the Senior Vice President of Operations for Troon. The industry leader in golf course management, development and marketing. Richerson is part of a team responsible for helping oversee the day-to-day management of Troon’s expanding portfolio. Serving 435+ locations and 470+ golf courses with properties located in over 40 states and 30 countries.
Jim Richerson, PGA - Presidents Address
Monica McNutt is a freelance sports reporter, host, and basketball analyst based in Washington, D.C. In 2021 McNutt added the ESPN programs Sportscenter, Around the Horn, Highly Questionable and The Jump to her roster of network opportunities. She is currently the co-host of MSG PM on MSG Networks and is a basketball analyst for Fox Sports 1, CBS Sports Network, Turner/NBA TV, and the ACC Network. Her weekly podcast “Buckets, Boards, and Blocks” presented by Pure Hoops Media is available every Thursday.
Monica McNutt - Keynote Speaker
James Brown is the current host of “The NFL Today” on CBS and "Inside The NFL" on Showtime. A three-time Emmy Award-winning network broadcaster, Brown, who was elected into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in August 2020, has hosted the Super Bowl a record-tying nine times including Super Bowl 53 on CBS. In 2010, SI.com named Brown the Best Studio Host of the Decade. Brown is a Special Correspondent for CBS News and contributes to programs such as “60 Minutes”, “CBS This Morning”, “CBS Evening News” and “48 Hours”. He is also a founding partner of Major League Baseball’s 2019 World Series Champion Washington Nationals.
James Brown - Q&A Session with James Brown
Rachel Melendez Mabee brings more than 15 years of experience in responsible for oversight and overall execution of PGA REACH’s diversity and inclusion program, PGA WORKS. In addition to serving as an integral part of internal and external communication efforts for all PGA REACH activities, Mabee’s main role is to help lead the charge for PGA WORKS. The program’s mission is to establish a deep bench of diverse talent prepared to ascend to key employment industries in the game and business of golf.
Rachel Melendez Mabee - Panel Host
Will Lowery appeared on The Golf Channel’s hit reality series, “The Big Break.” Lowery was a cast member on both Big Break Indian Wells, and Big Break NFL: Puerto Rico. He is commonly referred to as the “cross-handed golfer” as his grip is left hand low for a right-handed golfer. Lowery currently volunteers for the First Tee Junior Golf Programs, plays professional golf, and is working his way towards raising funds to compete for a spot on the PGA Tour. Will was born, and continues to reside, in Charlotte, NC. He travels the country conducting golf clinics, and making celebrity golf appearances for clients such as Toyota and Lexus. His interests outside of golf include his faith, tennis, poetry, and charity work.
Will Lowery - Hospitality & Golf Panel
As President & CEO of PGD Global and former professional golfer, Nisha Sadekar's passionate personality and vision to produce golf entertainment, PGD Global has evolved into one of the most dominant golf event and entertainment businesses in the country. With over 25 years in competitive, professional and industry golf experience, Nisha is a woman that continues to revolutionize the game with her desire to see a broader and inclusive path for the game.
Nisha Sadekar - Hospitality & Golf Panel
Seema Sadekar is Vice President of PDG Global and a former professional golfer. Through “Bigger Than Golf” and “Project Fairway” Seema says that women need to learn the game of golf backwards, starting from the 19th hole, understanding the lifestyle to build the confidence needed to overcome the barriers that hold most women back playing. Seema’s commitment to closing industry gaps using herself as an example, allows women to take a different approach to learning the game.
Seema Sadekar - Hospitality & Golf Panel
DeAngelo Simmons is the CEO of BDS Sports. Founded in 2005, BDS Sports is a talent agency ranked in the top 25 nationally whose roster includes NBA All-Star power forward, Paul Millsap of the Denver Nuggets. DeAngelo also serves as CEO of CORE4, an elite development academy founded by Paul Millsap focused on providing youth through high school, post grad, collegiate and pro basketball players next level coaching and career development as well as personal, sporting and career education to elevate all parts of their life.
DeAngelo Simmons - Hospitality & Golf Panel
Cheyenne Woods is a professional golfer who has played on the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. She turned professional after graduating from Wake Forest University where she was an individual ACC champion and 2-time All-American. Woods is only the sixth African-American to play on the LPGA Tour, and has been a member for 7 seasons. Woods began playing golf at just five years old. Her grandfather, Earl Woods, was her first golf coach and provided early inspiration. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, ping-pong and spending time with her dog, Reece.
Cheyenne Woods - Hospitality & Golf Panel
Originally from the West Coast, Jessica was born and raised in Lakeport, CA. She began her educational career in Chico, CA before transferring to Pfeiffer University to complete her bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. Throughout her time in college, she was a multisport collegiate athlete competing in volleyball and track & field. After college, Asbury gained experience in various roles with the ACC Football Championship, Carolina Panthers, Kannapolis Intimidators and the Charlotte Knights for the 2016 Triple-A All-Star Festivities. Jessica joined the Carolinas PGA team as their first PGA WORKS Fellow in May of 2017 and began full-time as the PGA REACH Carolinas Coordinator in the Winter of 2018. Since joining the Carolinas PGA, she has found a passion for giving back to those who have fought for our country while also introducing kids from all diverse backgrounds to the game of golf.
Jessica Asbury - Golf Talk Panel
Tari Cash is the Founder & CEO of CitySwing, a unique golf brand that’s making golf fun and convenient for everyone. CitySwing is reimagining how people play golf, where they play, and most importantly who is playing by helping to drive diversity and inclusivity in the industry. Tari has a BA from Trinity University in Hartford CT and an MBA from Harvard University in Boston MA. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for The National Links Trust and enjoys cooking and riding her Peloton bike.
Tari Cash - Golf Talk Panel
Demarkis Cooper is a Class-A PGA Professional at an indoor golf studio in Washington, DC named "CitySwing''. I began working with CitySwing about a week after graduating from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore PGM program in December of 2018. While working with CitySwing I completed an MBA program and earned my Masters Degree in September of 2020. Since completing my degree, I have taken on a management role at CitySwing and take it upon myself to do what I can to continue pushing the brand forward and showing people there are other ways to experience golf that can be more convenient and comfortable. My overall goal is to continue creating and promoting new avenues to play golf through the use of technology.
Demarkis Cooper, PGA - Golf Talk Panel
PGA Professional Chris Kulinski is the PGA of America’s Employment Consultant proudly serving Western, Central and Northeast New York PGA sections. Part of a team of employment service professionals placed throughout the country, Chris’ efforts are a key component to PGA Professional career enhancement and employer relationships in the New York sections. He believes strongly in PGA professionals and their positive impact on both the golf operation and the local community. Throughout his tenure he has a track record of fostering long term relationships between PGA professionals and their employers.
Chris Kulinski, PGA - Golf Talk Panel
Josh Salmon is a lifelong resident of New Mexico and his golf journey didn’t begin until he was 17 years old. Josh is a graduate of the PGA Golf Management Program at New Mexico State University. He received his bachelor’s degree in Marketing and has been a PGA Member since January 2010. In August of 2010, he was fortunate to begin working for the New Mexico State University PGA Golf Management Program as the Assistant Director and is currently still in this position. During his time there he has had the opportunity to mentor many students, which is the best part of his job.
Josh Salmon, PGA - Golf Talk Panel