APGA Celebrates Leadership and Champions at Black History Month Awards

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) honored PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan, Golf Digest senior editor Tod Leonard, and several outstanding players at its annual Black History Month Awards Ceremony. The event, held in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, recognized individuals and organizations dedicated to growing the game of golf and fostering inclusivity.

Leadership Awards

Jay Monahan received the Ken Bentley Leadership Award, acknowledging his visionary leadership and commitment to driving change within golf. The award recognizes Monahan’s efforts to create pathways for golfers from underrepresented communities through the PGA TOUR’s partnership with the APGA. This collaboration has provided access to top-level golf courses, financial investment, and sponsorship opportunities, resulting in over 200 entries for APGA players and alumni into PGA TOUR events.

Tod Leonard was presented with the APGA Media Award for his work in elevating the visibility and credibility of the APGA Tour. As a senior editor at Golf Digest, Leonard has consistently covered the APGA since 2020, highlighting its players and charting its growth.

Chuck Robbins Scholarship Awarded

Joshua Mitchell, a sophomore at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, was awarded the Chuck Robbins Scholarship. Named in honor of Cisco Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins, the scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to opportunity and advancement. Mitchell, a business administration major, was introduced to golf by his grandfather and previously played varsity golf at RiverwoodInternational Charter School in Atlanta.

Player Recognition

The ceremony also celebrated the achievements of APGA players Kevin Hall, Willie Mack III, and Kamaiu Johnson.

• Kevin Hall received the APGA Tour Award for his outstanding tournament performance. Hall has eight APGA Tour victories and earned a silver medal at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo. He has also made seven PGA TOUR starts.
• Kamaiu Johnson and Willie Mack III were each honored with the APGA Chairman’s Award for their contributions to the APGA Tour’s mission and long-term impact. Johnson has eight APGA wins, and Mack III is the APGA’s winningest active player with 17 titles.

APGA Cisco Black History Month Classic

The awards ceremony preceded the Cisco APGA Black History Month Classic, a tournament featuring a field of 54 players competing for a $25,000 purse, held Thursday and Friday at TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley Course.

“I am thrilled to announce these incredibly deserving honorees at the APGA Cisco Black History Month Awards,” said Ken Bentley, co-founder and chairman of the APGA. “Their dedication to golf and commitment to inclusivity are truly inspiring.”