CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Golfers Alliance is hosting its 3rd annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament and Gala, raising money to expose more children to the game of golf.

This year, organizer Chris Word says proceeds from the charitable event will be donated to A Perfect Swing Foundation, which introduces kids to the game for free, providing tee time and gifting participants with their own set of clubs.

What You Need To Know

  • Proceeds from the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Golf Tournament will benefit a program exposing diverse youth to the game
  • The charitable tournament will be on Saturday, June 17 at Rocky River Golf Club in Concord, N.C.
  • Organizers say skills learned in golf, like leadership, communication, teamwork and networking, can be applied to other aspects of life

Word started playing golf in middle school and says the skills he learned through the sport can be applied elsewhere in life.

"As an adult, I realize all of the benefits of playing golf, from networking, patience, integrity," Word said.

Word started his own golf equipment company, Greenwood Golf, in 2021. That's the same year he launched the Charlotte Golfers Alliance nonprofit. Word says he wants his business and nonprofit to help expand the game to more Black golfers.

"When you don't see diversity, when you don't have anything to relate to, you often question whether you should be there or not," Word said. "So, having a diverse business and brand and product on the shelves tells that young golfer, tells that adult golfer, you belong."

Ashaunta Epps is the CEO of A Perfect Swing Golf, the group receiving the raised money this year. Epps says she wants to expose kids to the low impact sport while developing leadership, communication and networking skills.

Epps says she played basketball as a kid until an injury permanently took her out of the sport. 

"What if someone had simply put a golf club in my hand when I couldn't play basketball anymore? Is it a situation where I would have avoided that period of depression, of anger, of behavior issues? You know, no one knows, but I think so because it would have given me an outlet," Epps said.

Epps says children in the program get a starter set of clubs when they first start. Every other year, they receive a new pair of golfing shoes. After two consecutive years in the program, they get a brand new set of golf clubs. 

"That in itself is priceless," Epps said. "Golf can be a very expensive sport, and if it were not for local community partners, we would not be able to do this." 

The Juneteenth Golf Tournament starts at 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 17 at Rocky River Golf Club. Tickets for a single golfer are going for $125. The Celebration Gala is $75 per ticket and will follow the tournament at the Embassy Suites in Concord, N.C.