AFRICAN AMERICAN GOLFER’S DIGEST READIES ITS GOLFFEST 2010

NEW YORK, NY  –The African American Golfer’s Digest, the nation’s leading print publication and online portal for avid black golfers, announces its Augusta GolfFEST 2010 in partnership with the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History (LCLMBH) in Augusta, Georgia.  The week-long festival will be held April 5-11, 2010 during the excitement of Masters Week--providing family fun, educational programs and more. The Augusta GolfFEST theme: “Celebrating Family, History, Fitness & Golf” highlights the variety of activities being offered for enjoyment by the entire family with information to inspire, support and educate attendees on how to include golf as a part of a healthy lifestyle, business, or career.

A press conference is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8th at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History located at 

1116 Phillips Street, Augusta, GA 30401

.  In attendance will be the Mayor of Augusta, Deke Copenhaver, State Representatives and other stakeholders.

The specific purpose for Augusta GolfFEST is fundraising, as its team of local hosts, the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Planning Committee members aim to use proceeds from the week-long event for helping to create an expansion of the museum complex.  The new space at this nationally recognized historic site would be dedicated to collecting, preserving and displaying decades of artefacts, documents, photographs, film footage and other items related to the significant history and contributions made by African Americans to golf.  In addition, the committee is planning an exhibition that is to eventually become a travelling display. 

“I am pleased with the opportunity to bring this all-encompassing program focused on golf to Augusta ; the home of the Masters.  Augusta is the perfect destination for honouring and celebrating the impact that African Americans have made to the game, becoming some of the best in their field as caddies, players and professionals. Augusta attracts millions of visitors during Masters Week and the Augusta GolfFEST is an exciting addition which will recognize our history and excellence in golf and unite us in the spirit of the game,” says publisher, Debert Cook. 

According to the museum’s Executive Director, Christine Miller-Betts, “We are excited with the prospects presented by our partnering with African American Golfer’s Digest to host the inaugural Augusta GolfFEST.  The theme, ‘Celebrating Family, History Fitness & Golf’ is perfectly aligned with our mission at Lucy Craft Laney Black History Museum .  The variety of activities we will present will afford more Augustans the opportunity to participate in the spirit of the Masters Week.”

The festival’s events will be educational, entertaining and mostly free, with some involving a nominal fee.  The excitement kick-offs on Thursday, April 8th with a colorful “Golf Cart” parade (

 Curtis Street

 to 

Phillips Street

 ) en-route to the official ribbon-cutting and opening of the street fair that will launch Augusta GolfFEST’s active, week-long schedule: art exhibition, career seminars, women’s opportunity brunch, community forum, Town Hall meeting, golf tournament, gala dinner fundraiser and fireworks are among the list.  

“There is a no more appropriate location than Augusta for that recognition and tribute.  We have engaged The Freelon Group (www.FREELON.com) as our architects; a nationally recognized award winning design firm that has completed museums in Baltimore , San Francisco , Charlotte , Greensboro and Raleigh , NC .  They were recently awarded the commissions to design the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta and the National Museum of African American History and Culture that will be the last building on the National Mall in Washington , DC ,” says Miller-Betts, who has 13 years of service with the museum.

The gala dinner fundraiser (black-tie) will be held on Saturday, April 10^th, 2010 in downtown Augusta and will welcome a celebrity host, recognize corporate excellence in golf, and honor Black caddies for their distinguished service to the sport.  Tickets for the dinner program are limited and must be purchased in advance. 

“Your full participation and any contribution is welcomed, (monetary and/or in-kind) to support this initiative, says Ms. Cook.  “With the support of the residents of Augusta and the global golf community we anticipate being able to increase financial resources for this notable and historic project.”

The Augusta GolfFEST Committee includes the following members: Debert Cook, CMP and publisher of African American Golfer’s Digest; Christine Miller-Betts, Executive Director of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; Corey Rogers, Historian for the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, Rosa Clemons, Board Chair for the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Marquette Folley, Curatorial Advisor/Exhibition Developer.

Augusta GolfFEST will have online registration available for vendor/exhibitor and participation information along with individual, corporate, and team sponsorship opportunities.  A full schedule of activities and rendering of the new wing that is being planned for the LCLMBH will be launched online later this month at the website: www.AugustaGolfFest.com  For additional information contact Event Planners Plus! at (212) 571-6559, or contact the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History at (706) 724-3576. 

About African American Golfer’s Digest
The African American Golfer's Digest launched in March 2003 and is the nation’s leading authority and online portal for avid black golfers.  It is headquartered in New York City ’s financial district and is a 100% minority-owned and operated business. This woman-owned publication is the only golf magazine specifically targeting the African American demographic.  Named PGA of America Diverse Supplier the African American Golfer’s Digest’s massive editorial appeal derives from its grass roots approach, and partnerships are generated with more than 250 top, Black-focused golf tournaments and events annually around the country.  The 40-page, full-color quarterly enjoys a circulation of 20,000 and reaches 80,000 readers nationwide.  Its editorial content focuses on news, tips, information and activities in the “soulful” world of golf including travel destinations, golf courses, product and equipment reviews, youth, teen and professional golfer profiles with several hosted signature events annually:  Bayou Golf Tournament (July, New Orleans, La.), Diversity Pavilion at the PGA Merchandise Show & Convention (January, Orlando, Fla.), Outstanding Leaders in Golf Awards (January, Orlando, Fla.), Friends & Family Golf Cruise (February/Mexico) and the inaugural Augusta GolfFEST (Augusta, Ga., April).  Promotional, marketing and advertising opportunities are available for the print edition, online at its website and for signature programs and events.   The magazine’s memberships include the United States’ Golf Association (USGA), National Golf Foundation (NGF), International Network of Golf (ING), and Metropolitan Golf Writers Association.  To learn more about the publication visit www.AfricanAmericanGolfersDigest.com

About The Lucy Craft Laney Museum

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum is the only African American Museum dedicated to art, history and preservation in the Central Savannah River Area (CRSA, Augusta and its surrounding Areas).  The museum, which opened in 1991, is a small house museum that was the former home of Miss Lucy Craft Laney.  Miss Laney dedicated her life to providing educational opportunities for Black youth in the Augusta and CSRA areas. She was the founder of the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute which was located on the present site of the Lucy LaneyComprehensive High School. She started the first kindergarten for Black children in Augusta and founded the Lamar School of Nursing for black women. The museum is located at: 

1116 Phillips Street, Augusta, GA

, in the Historic Laney-Walker District, near the original site of the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute.  The mission of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is to promote the legacy of Miss Laney through arts, history and the preservation of her home.  We accomplish this awesome task by educating and exposing children and adults of the CSRA, the State, and beyond with African American art, history and preservation through exhibits and programs.  www.LucyCraftLaneyMuseum.com