Kevin Hall took the top title at the APGA Tour Black History Month Classic golf game, the first full-field event of the APGA Tour’s 2023 season. It was a nail-biter down to the last hole as Hall shot a final-round 3-under-par 69 and birdied the first playoff hole against Bahamas-born DeVaughn Robinson during the competition held at Indian Canyon Golf Resort in Palm Springs, California. Hall secured his fifth APGA Tour win and earned a $7,500 prize.
Hall, who's been golfing professionally since 2005, lost his hearing at age 2 after battling H-flu meningitis. He learned to play golf at 9 years old and mastered the craft over the next few years, becoming the first Black golfer to play at Ohio State University, where he was the winner of the 2004 Big Ten championship. He was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame in 2022.
Hall shot a 7-under-par 65 in the opening round and appeared to be cruising to victory after an opening 4-under-par 31 on the front nine. But eight pars and a bogey on the back nine put Hall in a playoff against Robinson. Caught a playoff, Hall changed his conservative strategy, hitting the par-5 green in two with a driver and then 6-iron from 181 yards to 35 feet. Robinson’s attempt to hit the green in two clipped a tree and left him 100 yards away. Hall two-putted for birdie and Robinson’s birdie attempt just missed, allowing Hall to claim the victory, one he credits to his extended family.
"I have so many people in my life that support me from my parents, friends and family to some incredible partners and sponsors at Velocity Global, Cisco, Pahhni and the APGA Tour,” shared the golferevin hall. “Their support makes it possible for me to chase my dreams. That gets me up every day.”
The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour was established in 2010 as a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing more African Americans and other diverse players to the sport through professional golf tournaments, player development and mentoring programs, and introductory lessons for inner-city youth.
“It’s amazing what the APGA Tour does to give us the opportunity to play in these events and at a collection of incredible golf courses,” Hall says. “A lot of us are improving and finding continued success and it’s all because of the work of the APGA Tour staff.”
