Golf has never been more diverse, according to a 2025 National Golf Foundation study based on U.S. participation in the sport.
Twenty-eight percent of all golfers are women, and 25% are people of color, according to the study.
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The Advocates Professional Golf Association is one group that has promoted diversity in the game since its founding in 2010. The APGA is hosting its fifth event of the year at TPC Scottsdale from June 1-3. More than 50 players are in this week's field.
Defending champ Kamaiu Johnson, who made five PGA tour starts between 2021-23, faces a field full of up-and-coming talent and veterans who have competed in PGA events.
"We're about inspiring an inclusive future through the game of golf," said Solomon Hughes, APGA's chief operating officer. "We are striving to empower youth of all backgrounds through golf, through clinics, professional development and work programs that help all our golfers."
Scottsdale resident Joe Hooks, a Detroit native, is among those competing at this week's tournament, which is being played on the Champions Course at TPC Scottsdale.
"I like to use this platform as a way to inspire the next generation," Hooks said. "You don't really see a lot of minority players grouped together, especially Black players, particularly in the same group setting, so that, I think, is the best part about this."
Hooks has been among top finishers at several tournaments in recent years. He recently finished as a runner-up at the 2025 Mastercard Tour Championship and is in the field with a sponsor exemption for the PGA's 2026 Rocket Classic, which begins July 30 in Detroit.
The winner of this week's tournament earns 500 points toward the APGA’s Jeff Dailey standings and Cisco Cup Series standings, along with a $15,000 first-place prize from a $50,000 purse.
John-Baptiste Hakizimana, who was born in Rwanda and immigrated to the United States when he was 6-years-old, is in the Scottsdale field. He won his first APGA tournament in August of 2025 at the Jefferson Health APGA Classic in the Philadelphia area. He also finished as runner-up in the 2026 APGA Tour’s season-opening Farmers Insurance Invitational at Torrey Pines.
"Over the last four years, I've been seeing my life change," Hakizimana said. "My golf game has been getting better because I have the support from the APGA, support from my fellow golfers, so without the APGA there's no way I'd be able to compete professionally, they push me hard to keep moving forward."
Stories like those of Hakizimana and Hooks are among many success stories that have come out of the APGA.
"We're all about providing opportunities and access for all because we know all people are deserving of it," Hughes said. "I know our players want to play professionally at the highest level, and with these competitions we prepare them for that moment. The proof is in the pudding with guys like Tim O'Neal, and others that have played in major championships and events across the PGA."
APGA's director of player performance, Montrele Wells, said the level of play is impressive.
"We have some really good players, man," Wells said. "The level of competition now is to the point where it's no wonder these guys are getting more and more shots at the PGA."
Hooks emphasized the point.
"The APGA ain't no joke getting out here," Hooks said. "You have to be able to golf your ball at a high level in order to not just play in these events but also compete. It's that simple with these players and these courses now, this tour is a lot deeper now."
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: APGA golf tour at TPC Scottsdale June 1-3, 2026