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Tim O’Neal Drops 15-Footer on 18 to Win APGA Tour at PGA Golf Club
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Tim O’Neal, the 49-year-old from Savannah, Georgia, triumphed at the APGA Tour’s regular-season opener at TPC Harding Park in February and lost in a playoff at the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational in January.
The post Tim O’Neal Drops 15-Footer on 18 to Win APGA Tour at PGA Golf Club first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL. – Veteran pro golfer Tim O’Neal calmly dropped a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to capture the APGA Tour at PGA Golf Club title by a single stroke Sunday, chalking up his second win of the season and taking over the top spot in the Lexus Cup Point Standings.
O’Neal’s nine-under 135 edged a strong, eight-under, 136 performance by Michael Bradham of Converse, Texas.
O’Neal, the 49-year-old from Savannah, Georgia, triumphed at the APGA Tour’s regular-season opener at TPC Harding Park in February and lost in a playoff at the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational in January.
In addition to APGA Tour competition and U.S. Open qualifying, O’Neal will play as a sponsor exemption in the Korn Ferry Tour’s Simmons Bank Open May 5-8 in Tennessee.
He will turn 50 years-old on August 3 and is hoping to be invited as a sponsor exemption to play on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit before the end of the year.
“With the putt on 18 today, I thought that the odds would be in my favor, because I was missing putts throughout the day,” stated O’Neal, who played in the first-ever APGA Tour event back in 2010.
“I shot a clean 66 yesterday, but it was bumpy today. So, I’m not where I want to be yet, but things are trending in the right direction. Just trying to get better every day.”
After an opening round 66, O’Neal was tied for the lead with Seth Arthur of Metropolis, Illinois heading into Sunday’s final round.
He posted a one-under front nine with four birdies but couldn’t pull away because of a double bogey 5 on the sixth hole.
He registered a birdie on 10 and then seven consecutive pars until the winning putt on 18.
Bradham was in contention throughout with a first-day 69 followed by a 67 to take the lead in the clubhouse at eight-under 136.
His eagle on the par-five, 514-yard fifth hole was the highlight of the front nine and he posted consecutive birdies on 14 and 15.
A bogey on 17 opened the door for O’Neal’s winning stroke on the final hole. In third place was Marcus Byrd of Knoxville, Tennessee, with a 67-70-137.
Byrd was coming off his first PGA Tour start as an exemption at last week’s Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic.
Kevin Hall, the former Big Ten collegiate champion and longtime APGA Tour star, finished fourth at 69-69-138.
APGA Tour standout Kamaiu Johnson of Orlando, Florida, finished fifth at five-under 139.
Hall and Byrd both scored eagles on the 17th hole Saturday and Johnson eagled the seventh hole on Sunday. With his second regular-season victory, O’Neal increased his lead in the Lexus Cup Point Standings, which he won in 2020 as the APGA Tour Player of the Year.
He won $7,500 from the $25,000 purse. PGA of America-owned PGA Golf Club hosted the APGA Tour at the prestigious, 6,647-yard, par 72 Dye Course for the second consecutive year.
The APGA Tour is back in action on April 11-12 with APGA Tour at TPC Las Vegas in Nevada.
The APGA Tour was established in 2010 with the mission to bring greater diversity to the game of golf by hosting and operating professional golf tournaments, player development programs, mentoring programs, and introducing the game to inner-city young people.
The tour has grown from seven events with $200,000 in prize money in 2020 and 14 events with over $400,000 in prize money in 2021, and now 18 events with over $700,000 in prize money in 2022.
The post Tim O’Neal Drops 15-Footer on 18 to Win APGA Tour at PGA Golf Club first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me
NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.
A Familiar Disappointment
I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.
In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.
The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough
On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?
Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.
One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.
A Call for Action Beyond Words
White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.
If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.
“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”
To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.
Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.
“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”
For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org
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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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