National Black Golf Hall of Fame

Mariah Stackhouse stands in a lineage that was never guaranteed space.

From the fairways that once excluded players who looked like her, to the stages she now competes on, her presence is part of a longer story, one shaped by persistence, quiet breakthroughs, and the refusal to be unseen.

As one of the few Black women to earn status on the LPGA Tour, Mariah carries forward the progress built by pioneers while adding her own chapter to the game’s evolving history.

Her career is not just about competition, but about continuity. She is a living reminder that the doors once pushed open must continue to stay open.

When we talk about builders of the game, Alfred “Tup” Holmes stands in a class of his own.

He wasn’t just a golfer. He was a gate-opener.

At a time when access to golf was limited, Tup Holmes helped create opportunity where there was none. He played a key role in establishing and developing spaces where Black golfers could learn, compete, and grow in the game. Courses weren’t just fairways to him — they were foundations for community.

His work helped bring golf to Atlanta’s Black neighborhoods in a real way, making the game visible, reachable, and possible for the next generation. Through leadership, advocacy, and persistence, he helped ensure that golf was not reserved for a select few, but available to those who loved it enough to pursue it.

Tup Holmes helped shape the landscape of Black golf not just by playing, but by building.

Because sometimes the greatest legacy isn’t the scorecard — it’s the doors you open for others to walk through.

Jeff Dunovant sits down and talks about Rogers Park golf course, one of golfs sacred grounds for black golfers everywhere.

Rogers Park Golf Course opened in 1952, at a time when access to the game wasn’t equal. For many Black golfers in Florida, Rogers Park wasn’t just a place to play. It was a place to belong. It was where talent was sharpened, where young players learned discipline, etiquette, and excellence, and where community gathered around a shared love for the game.

Courses like this carried the weight of segregation, but they also carried hope. They produced competitors. They produced leaders. They produced men and women who refused to let barriers define their relationship with golf.

Rogers Park represents resilience. It represents opportunity created in spite of limitation. And it stands as proof that the history of golf in this country is deeper, richer, and more diverse than many people realize.

When we honor places like Rogers Park, we honor the generations who walked these fairways with pride, purpose, and perseverance.

This is Black golf history.

🎥:

✨ Celebrating Legacy in Golf ✨

This year, The Black Golf Hall of Fame hosted our 39th Induction Ceremony where we honored four trailblazers whose stories continue to shape the game of golf:

🏌🏾‍♂️ Dr. Michael “Coop” Cooper – A leader in the golf industry for more than 30 years, Coop has dedicated his career to diversifying the game. His work with the USGA, The First Tee, Urban Junior Golf, and the World Golf Foundation has left an immeasurable impact on generations of players and communities.

🏌🏾‍♀️ The Late Carrie Russell – An LPGA Master Professional and Delaware State HBCU graduate, Carrie and her husband Alfred began playing in the early 1960s at Air Force courses that welcomed them when others would not. What started as a shared hobby became her lifelong legacy, inspiring countless others to see the game as a place of joy, opportunity, and belonging.

🏌🏾‍♂️ Debert Cook – Founder and publisher of African American Golfer’s Digest, Debert has spent decades giving Black golfers a platform to share their stories, celebrate achievements, and connect through the power of media.

🌳 Shady Rest Country Club – The nation’s first Black-owned golf and country club, Shady Rest in Scotch Plains, NJ, has stood as a sanctuary for Black golfers since 1921 and remains a symbol of community, perseverance, and pride.

Together, these inductees embody the resilience, vision, and excellence that have carried Black golf forward for more than a century. Their contributions not only broke barriers but also expanded access, created platforms, and preserved spaces that continue to shape the game’s history and future.

Congratulations to the 2025 Class of the Black Golf Hall of Fame, your legacy will forever shape the game, reminding us of the importance of preserving history while inspiring the next generation of golfers.

Follow for more highlights from this historic weekend and to keep up with the important history of Golf History in the black community

Thank you to everyone who came out and made the 39th Anniversary Celebration of the Black Golf Hall of Fame so special 🙏🏾

This weekend was about more than golf, it was about honoring our history, celebrating our community, and inspiring the future.

If you were there, we’re grateful you shared it with us. If you missed it, don’t worry, we’ll be rolling out highlights so you can relive the energy and see what made this weekend unforgettable.

We’re already looking ahead to next year’s 40th Anniversary, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

👉 Be sure to follow along so you can stay connected, catch every moment we share, and join us in person next year.

Tag everyone you want to see at this event next year!

✨ What a night! ✨

Friday’s Welcome & VIP Reception set the stage for an unforgettable 39th Anniversary Induction Weekend with the National Black Golf Hall of Fame. The room was alive with energy, connection, and celebration as we came together to honor the game and the community that makes it so special.

This year, we are proud to recognize and induct:

🏌🏾‍♂️ Dr. Michael Cooper – USGA Senior Advisor & tireless advocate for diversity in golf
🏌🏾‍♀️ The late Carrie Russell – LPGA’s first Master Professional and a trailblazer for women in the game
📖 Debert Cook – Founder & CEO of African American Golf Digest, championing Black voices in golf media
🏠 Shady Rest Country Club – the first Black-owned golf club in the U.S., a true landmark of culture and resilience

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate Black golf history and kick off the weekend in style. 🙌🏾

👉 Don’t miss a moment! Follow as we continue the festivities with the 39th annual Induction Ceremony and the Harold Dunovant Charity Golf Classic. Let’s make history together.

🎉 Tonight’s the night! 🎉

We officially open the 39th Anniversary Induction Weekend with the Welcome & VIP Reception at the Sonesta Gwinnett in Duluth, GA.

It’s always special to gather with our community as we celebrate the legacy of Black golf and build excitement for tomorrow’s Induction Ceremony.

We’re just getting started — the best is yet to come! 🙌🏾⛳️

✨ Today it begins! ✨

Join us in Duluth, GA as we kick off the 39th Anniversary Induction Weekend of the National Black Golf Hall of Fame.

📅 Friday: Welcome & VIP Reception – Sonesta Gwinnett
📅 Saturday: Induction Reception & Ceremony – Sonesta Gwinnett
📅 Sunday: Harold Dunovant Charity Golf Classic & Closing Ceremony – Bear’s Best

We’re celebrating golf’s Black history, honoring legacy, and building the future of the game. 🏌🏾‍♂️⛳️

Click the link in the bio to register if you haven’t already!