BlackNorth Initiative inaugural golf tournament a huge success
September 23, 2022
When BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) approached Scarboro Golf & Country Club about hosting their first golf tournament, they requested rental clubs for first-time players.
“They said, ‘Yeah, we have them for about 20 minutes’,” recalled BNI founder Wes Hall. “When we asked how many, they said six. We needed 46. The response was unusual because we had a whole bunch of people who had never played the sport before and the guys at the golf club obviously do not understand the networking opportunities that this sport presents to them.”
A sport dominated by White people, BNI is attempting to change the narrative in Canada.
Nearly 120 participants took part in the organization’s inaugural tournament on August 29.
Wes Hall founded the BlackNorth Initiative (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
“You spend three to four hours with someone and you talk about everything,” said Hall who is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors. “That is how you get to know people. Our community has been behind.”
Taking up golf at age 28, he became addicted to the sport before becoming busy with work.
That was the first time in two years that he played.
Two-time Olympians Sandra Levy and Molly Killingbeck were part of a team that included Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) Chief Financial Officer Michael French and Information Support Technology Specialist Emmanuel Ederibhalo.
Emmanuel Ederibhalo (l), Sandra Levy, Molly Killingbeck & Michael French (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
“We wanted to be out here because this is a great initiative,” said Levy who represented Canada in field hockey at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Games and is the COC’s Chief People Officer. “We are competitors too.”
Asked if she is a golfer, Killingbeck’s response was, “Today, I am’.
“This is an opportunity for networking and I just wanted to get away from the computer,” said the four-time national champion who was part of the 4x400-metre relay team that won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics. “What a great way to spend a Monday.”
Two-time Olympian Molly Killingbeck on the golf course (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
French was thrilled to spend the hot summer day playing golf.
“It’s great company and competition, but it is really about being here and supporting the cause,” he pointed out.
For Ederibhalo, this was his first time on a golf course.
“I felt like I kept improving as the day went by and I look forward to playing the sport more,” he added.
Registered Social Worker Marci Gray signed up as soon the application process started.
“I love what BlackNorth is doing in championing the fight against anti-racism,” the psychotherapist and consultant said.
Marci Gray (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Prior to the Shotgun start, Golf Canada conducted a clinic for young people, the majority of whom never played the sport.
A Scarborough resident, Ashley Meikle was unaware a golf course existed in her backyard.
“I pass by here regularly and it was not until today when I came through the gate did I realize what a beautiful golf course there is here,” the 26-year-old Fashion & Business Management graduate said. “The scenery is so lovely and it just felt great learning how to play golf. I really enjoyed the clinic and everything the day had to offer.”
Joshua Knott was the only member of the group who had been on a golf course before.
“Last summer, I went out with my dad and brothers and I swung away,” said the 21-year-old University of Toronto fourth-year Human Biology student. “When I woke up the next morning, my shoulder was sore. Even though I am a basketball player, I enjoyed the experience today.”
Daphne Chin-Loy ( second from right), who represented Jamaica at golf, gave the youths a few tips (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
BNI board member Donette Chin-Loy Chang sponsored the students while Michelle Francis, who created L.E.O.N that is a program that helps young people find employment in the trades, selected the youth participants from the Greater Toronto Area.
“We are here today to have our first experience of what golf looks like and the amazing opportunities of mental health that it offers, being in nature and connecting with our community,” she said.
Kendrix Imafidon (l), Philip George, Ashley Meikle, Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Michelle Leong-Francis, Jordan Francis-Cleary, Joshua Knott & BlackNorth Executive Director Dahabo Ahmed-Omer at the BlackNorth inaugural golf tournament (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
The youths were the recipients of the Up and Comer Award while the Best Dressed Team Award went to Canadian Black Standard co-founders Bailey Williams and Anastasia Gordon, realtor Asha Forrester and Bailey Sanchez.
“We are friends and we had an amazing day,” said Forrester. “It so nice to see so many people of colour on a golf course.”
Bailey Sanchez (l), Anastasia Gordon, Bailey Williams & Asha Forrester won the Best Dressed Team Award at the inaugural BlackNorth Initiative golf tournament (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
BNI Executive Director Dahabo Ahmed-Omer thanked the participants for supporting the event.
“When we came together, we said we wanted to do something different, break barriers and fight the fight of our lives,” she said. “We intend to win and we can’t do that without you.”
Influenced by the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd’s murder, Hall founded BNI in July 2020.
“This has been a labour of love,” he said. “When we started this thing in 2020, we didn’t think the world would be where it is today. In fact, many things have taken the whole diversity conversation, as it relates to Black folks, off people’s minds. Some of the people that were enthusiastic about 2020 and how they want to change things for Black Canadians are now distracted. The purpose of BlackNorth is to keep people focused.”
Baiano (l), Rob Christian & Quincy Bullen provided entertainment at the BlackNorth Initiative golf reception (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
