A Black-owned golf brand is looking not only to expose more Memphians to golf, but to build more relationships on the links.
Eastside Golf is bringing its Community Golf Day back to Memphis on July 26th at Overton Park 9 Golf Course. The free-to-play event is being held with the help of Bridgestone Tires and Paradies Lagardère.
Tee times are from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Those interested can reserve a spot on the Eastside Golf website.
“Eastside Golf’s Community Golf Days are focused on diversifying the sport and bringing fans and players together at local courses to experience the fun of golf without the financial barriers commonly found in the game,” the company said in a statement.
The lifestyle golf brand was co-founded by Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, and has been worn by people such as NFL player Patrick Mahomes and former President Barack Obama.
Ajanaku said that some of his formative experiences came from golf, since he started playing when he was 6 years old. He continued golfing through high school and college and eventually went pro.
He went on to say that golf is something that is usually associated with wealth and income, which comes with its own sphere of influence that can be transferred to other players.
“Me being out there, there was nothing but positive influence,” Ajanaku said. “There were account executives, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, judges — people that had 9-to-5’s — hardworking people.”
While this was one of his earliest assessments of the game, Ajanaku said that golf is for everybody, and his brand is looking to make it accessible to everyone. In fact, their upcoming campaign touts the saying, “Everyone’s game,” because the company believes the sport should be just that.
These sentiments came together to bring Community Golf Day. Ajanaku said a day like this serves a wide variety of people such as those who can’t afford the gear since at the event people will be able to get free rentals and a push cart.
Ajanaku’s father grew up in South Memphis, and he said being able to give back to the place where his father is from is not only an honor but opens the door for more people to be exposed to the sport, especially those who may not have the opportunity otherwise.
Not only will players be able to access equipment, but Ajanaku said Eastside Golf’s partners have employees and relationships with people who are scouting for talent and potential interns.
“We’ve invited people from banks, celebrities, so many different people,” he said. “It’s good to now mesh this world and use it through golf because golf puts people on an equal playing field.”
Community Golf Day not only provides free golfing for the city, but it also offers exposure to a golfing brand and lifestyle that more people can identify with.
“This is everyone’s game,” Ajanaku said. “If non-tradition is for you, then Eastside Golf is for you. If [the] culture of any sport is for you, then Eastside Golf is for you.”
The event is for first-time golfers, high schoolers looking to practice their game, longtime players looking for a free round of golf — basically anyone who’s interested.
“As long as we continue to inspire more people to pick up the golf club, then we’re doing it right,” Ajanaku said.