They’re bridging the gap and changing the game!
Golf has long been perceived as an exclusive sport, often out of reach for many due to high costs and limited accessibility. But one nonprofit organization is changing the narrative and making the green more inclusive for young players in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. Enter Excel Golf—a dynamic force on a mission to bridge the gap between interest and opportunity in golf for youth, particularly those from underrepresented communities.
Excel Golf was founded on the belief that every child should have the opportunity to play golf, regardless of background or resources. The organization started in 2012 as the South Maryland Junior Golf Association, founded by Pua Ponafala and Sandy Milligan, and was later rebranded as Excel Golf in 2019. Now, Jeris Bowlding is leading the charge as the new President of the organization, recognizing the barriers many underrepresented youth face in accessing the game, and helping to change that. The goal is to create accessibility and affordability in the game, from equipment costs to course availability and lack of exposure. Excel Golf exists to bridge those gaps by providing interest, access, exposure, and opportunity.
“Golf has traditionally been seen as an exclusive sport, and many young athletes—particularly African American kids—do not have the same opportunities to explore and excel in the game. We wanted to change that by removing financial and social barriers. By providing free and affordable clinics, mentorship, and equipment, we’re ensuring that every child has a chance to learn and grow in the sport. We’re not just teaching golf; we’re also helping kids develop life skills, confidence, and access to career and scholarship opportunities,” Bowlding told Because Of Them We Can.
The nonprofit offers affordable training programs, competitive tournament series, and scholarship and mentorship opportunities for youth across the DMV region. In addition to their clinics and tours, Excel Golf also brings the game directly into schools and underserved neighborhoods through partnerships. Currently the organization is expanding access and increasing representation in a historically exclusive sport. In addition to its junior programs, the organization is looking to work with Bowie State University to launch the HBCU’s first collegiate golf team and extending its reach internationally by supporting youth golf initiatives in Kenya.
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For Bowlding, the decision to dedicate himself to Excel Golf was a life-changing one. A longtime federal employee, Bowlding took a leap of faith, accepting a DOGE buyout package to transition from a stable government career to one driven by passion and purpose.
“Yes, working for the federal government was an amazing opportunity,” Bowlding told WUSA 9 news reporters. “But now I get to serve my community.” After 23 years of federal service, Bowlding stepped into his new role as President of Excel Golf, where he is determined to ensure that young athletes, regardless of background, have a fair shot at the game.
“To get into the game of golf, it can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 just to learn. We do have a very big goal of [creating] a junior golf facility that’s dedicated to teaching kids ow to play the game,” Bowlding explained.
The organization envisions a future where every child who wants to play golf has access to the resources they need. That dream state-of-the-art junior golf facility Bowlding has as their big goal is already in the planning stages, set to open in 2028. The new facility would offer year-round instruction, a short game area, a Par 3 course, golf simulators, heated hitting bays, classrooms, and mentorship spaces. The organization is also working on launching an after-school program in Bowie, MD, that blends golf-themed education, tutoring, and mentorship, providing a structured environment for students to receive academic support while also developing their golf skills.
Other initiatives include transitioning the Black Heritage Golf Tour into the Excel Golf Tour, creating a competitive platform for more juniors to showcase their talent. Internationally, they are already working with a junior golfer from Kenya to further build out their initiatives in the East African country. For Bowlding, it’s about raising visibility in the sport and creating pipelines to develop the next generation of young golfers.
“Representation matters because it creates visibility and inspiration for the next generation. When young golfers see professionals who look like them… it reinforces the belief that they, too, belong in the game. Increasing diversity in golf not only strengthens the sport but also opens doors for future leaders, business professionals, and scholarship opportunities,” explained Bowlding.
But big dreams require big support. Excel Golf launching a GoFundMe to actively seek sponsors, donors, and community partners to help expand its reach and impact. The organization is also raising funds to hire a full-time Executive Director to take Excel Golf to the next level. The organization hopes to make their next shot, the best shot, aiming high, swinging strong, and creating opportunities for youth that move us all forward.
To learn more about Excel Golf and support their mission, click HERE.
Cover photo: Meet Jeris Bowlding, President of the DMV Youth Golf Club Creating Inclusivity on the Green/Photo credit: Jive Shot/Excel Golf