MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — What began as a childhood activity shared between Clifton Addison and his father has grown into an event bringing hundreds of Black professionals together through golf, networking and community service.

Addison, the founder of Urban Golf Weekend, first picked up a golf club when he was 5 years old.

“I started playing golf at the age of 5 when my dad was getting to corporate America,” Addison said. “He picked up a club because he thought it would be a good idea to help his career. And at the same time, he put one in my hands.”

As Addison grew older, he began to recognize that golf offered opportunities extending far beyond the game itself. He saw the networking and professional connections that could develop between the first and 18th holes.

But he also noticed who was often missing from the course.

“One of the things I noticed, it wasn’t a lot of people that looked like me on the course,” Addison said. “So I always knew I wanted to create something that would want people of color and make them feel comfortable.”

Urban Golf Weekend takes off

In 2023, Addison took a swing at creating that space himself.

Urban Golf Weekend began with a tournament and small networking event. Since then, Addison said its attendance has doubled each year.

“The first year we had 120 attendees,” Addison said. “Every year we’ve doubled and now we have sold over 600 tickets.”

Addison said Urban Golf Weekend has become the largest golf event in the country for Black professionals and believes its concept has inspired similar events elsewhere.

“We created this event that was unlike anyone else’s,” Addison said. “And now we see so many different events around the country that kind of emulate Urban Golf.”

The event is also attracting people who didn’t grow up playing the sport.

Plastic surgeon Wilton Triggs had only been taking golf lessons for about a month when he became involved.

“I went up to Cliff at the time, I didn’t even know him,” Triggs recalled. “I was like, ‘Hey man, I see what you’re doing. I see where this could be. If you put me on the board, like anything I put my name to is gonna blow up. I’m gonna work hard for you.’”

Triggs now helps bring sponsors into the event.

Golf with a larger purpose

This year’s five-day Urban Golf Weekend features golf, networking, an expo and a party at the Miami Beach Golf Club.

Money raised through the charity tournament supports historically Black colleges and universities and youth golf.

“You don’t have to give a ton of money, but it definitely gives a little kid a chance to jump into a game they may not have been exposed to,” Triggs said. “It’s very expensive to get into, but the possibilities are endless.”

The work also continues after Urban Golf Weekend ends.

Addison said the Urban Golf Foundation holds community events throughout the year, providing inner-city children with golf lessons and financial literacy education.

A full-circle moment for Addison and his father

For Addison, this year’s event carries an especially personal meaning.

The man who first put a golf club in his hands will attend Urban Golf Weekend for the first time.

“My dad has never been to Urban Golf Weekend. But he’s coming this year,” Addison said.

Addison said having his father there makes this year’s event particularly special.

“My dad is the reason why I had to start to play golf,” he said. “So I’m excited to enjoy this event with him this year.”

For more information about Urban Golf Weekend, including tickets and ways to get involved, click here.

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