The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour, an emerging circuit that aims to bring greater diversity to the sport, will make a stop at Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell as part of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board’s Montco Golf initiative to promote the sport locally.

This will mark the APGA Tour’s first visit to the Northeast and the first time it has worked with a regional tourism board on a tournament.

The APGA Tour Valley Forge will be held from September 20-22 and is one of 13 tournaments planned this year.

“This is a big step for the APGA Tour,” said Ken Bentley, the organization’s CEO. “The VFTCB hosts major golf events, and as we grow, it’s important to establish a presence in the Montgomery County/Philadelphia market.”

The tournament also represents a significant milestone for Montgomery County.

“Besides having some of the most historic and top-ranked courses in Montgomery County, we are also committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in everything we do,” said Dr. Val Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

The APGA is a nonprofit that provides opportunities to African-Americans and other minorities both in competitive golf and the business side of the sport. This is achieved through professional tournaments, career development, and mentoring sessions.

The APGA Tour started with three tournaments and $40,000 in prize money in its first year and has since grown to 13 tournaments and $350,000 in purses.

The Tour hs earned renown at the start of the year when three of its top players—Willie Mack, Kevin Hall, and Kamaiu Johnson—earned exemptions into PGA Tour events in California and Florida.

The trio teed it up with some of the world’s best players and are now pursuing additional opportunities as they continue to compete on the APGA Tour.

This video from the Golf Channel explores how Tour players can find success on the Tour in Beyond the Fairway.

Sponsorships for APGA Tour Valley Forge are available. Information can be obtained by contacting Steve Griffith at 484-433-7757 or sgriffith@viziongroup.net.

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