By Tony L. Starks
The 2024 installment of the Eastside Golf Invitational raised the bar. It was more than a golf tournament, it was a gathering that blended culture and energy, all whilst set against a backdrop of one of the most scenic golf courses America has to offer.
With clear skies and a shining sun, the Statue of Liberty was a prominent sight from virtually every hole of Liberty National Golf Club. Then the New York cityscape and Hudson River handled the rest of the visuals.
And when Eastside’s involved, you know there’s a purpose to the effort. Over the years, Eastside Golf has contributed nearly $300,000 to the Morehouse Golf Team – the same institution where co-founders Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper won a national title in 2010. That contribution was aided by a full field in 2024 and the investment of partners like Mercedes-Benz USA as well as Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop.
The current team was in attendance at Liberty National, showcasing their skills on the range while coach Edgar Evans offered lessons to tournament participants. Is it a good thing to take lessons just before teeing off?
“He should be a coach or something. It’s like he gets paid to do this,” said Erica Bolden of Mercedes-Benz USA, after Evans helped her find a successful swing from ground zero.
The landscapes weren’t the only sightings, celebrities aplenty made their presence felt. Not necessarily in the way you may expect. They were friendly, approachable. Willing to talk, answer questions and take photos. The Eastside presence makes people feel relaxed and connected.
Those in attendance included Anthony Anderson, Terrence Jenkins, CC Sabathia, Victor Cruz, Angie Martinez and a special-guest performance from New York’s own Fabolous (pictured below).
The winning team was headlined by Super Bowl winning wide receiver David Tyree with a final score of 52. CC Sabathia’s team recorded the same score, but fell to second place after a card off. Defending champion Will Lowery and his team finished in third with a score of 54. The event was played in the shamble format, with teams selecting the best drive of the group and then playing their own ball in from there.
"Everything about the Eastside Invitational was first class," said Luke Cameron of the NFL Players Association, who teamed with Tyree for the win. "This wasn't your every day golf tournament. What Eastside is doing, it's special. They're moving the needle, and we're proud to take home this trophy and to support a movement that's bettering the future of golf."
The Invitational marks another milestone in the multi-year partnership between Eastside Golf and Mercedes-Benz USA to create and support activations to increase inclusivity in the game and establish a mutual effort to support HBCU golf programs. The first event was held in San Diego in 2023, a location that was meaningful for more than just its weather. A little known fact: Heavyweight boxing champ Joe Louis (pictured below) was first black man to participate in a PGA-sanctioned event in 1952 at the San Diego Open, nine years before the abolishment of the PGA’s Caucasian-Only Clause.
Who was going to tell him no?
The second annual Eastside Golf Invitational, this time on the other coast, capped off a blockbuster week and a half for Eastside Golf, which started on September 4th with the announcement of its debut Nike footwear collaboration (pictured below) and a first-class retail experience with a pop-up store at Shopify NY that ran from September 13-15.
Want more visuals? Click here for all the best photos.