Photos by Joel Joseph

 

By Elijah Bradley, Sports Writer

 

For Edward “Ed” Hills, Morehouse College class of ‘08, golf is more than a sport—it is a legacy, a lifestyle, and a cultural movement. What began as a childhood curiosity introduced by his grandfather has grown into a mission to change the face of golf for generations of Black athletes, entrepreneurs and creators.

 

Hills, the Director of Instruction at Gold Links Golf Club and the Director of Player Development for the United Golfers Association (UGA) Junior National Team. He is building more than a brand—he is shaping a new identity for Black golf. From Nashville, Tenneese, to collegiate competition at Morehouse College, to being a contributor launching an online clubhouse inspired by the historic Shady Rest Country Club, Hills is reclaiming space in one of America’s most exclusive sports.

 

“I started playing golf around four or five,” Hills recalled. “My grandpa would put me in clinics back in Nashville. It started with him—and seeing other people who looked like me doing something that I thought was cool.”

 

The early inspiration Hills had grew into a deeper calling. He eventually made his way to Morehouse, where he was mentored by one of golf’s hidden legends: William “Junebug” Lewis.

 

“Coach Lewis gave me the game within the game,” Hills said. “He taught me how to think through every shot, how to manage my emotions, and how to approach each round with purpose like a true professional. He shaped how I saw the way I played golf in the future. That meant everything to me.”

 

 

However, Morehouse was not easy. Hills experienced the gap firsthand between HBCU golf and the resources afforded to players at predominantly white institutions. 

 

“We were underfunded,” Hills said. “A lot of times we were just figuring it out with what we had, but that taught me how to grind—how to build something out of nothing.”

 

That experience—playing the sport with limited access and support—laid the foundation for Gold Links Golf Club.

 

Gold Links: A New Model for Golf, Culture, and Community

 

Inspired by Shady Rest, the first Black-owned country club in the U.S, Gold Links is an online club built for visionaries, tastemakers and athletes who share a passion for golf and the culture. The mission is simple: build community and change perception.

 

“We want people to feel like they belong here,” Hills said. “There’s no gatekeeping in this game if we do it right. Whether you’re a former athlete or a first-time golfer, there’s a seat at our table.”

 

From the NFL to the Fairway: The Power of Representation

 

That inclusive spirit is why former NFL wide receiver Danario Alexander found a home with Gold Links.

 

“I got into golf during off-seasons because of injuries,” Alexander said. “I needed a way to stay competitive and once I hit my first shot, it was love at first hit. Ed’s [Hills] one of the best golfers I know—and being around guys like him, it’s just inspiring.”

 

Alexander believes if more athletes of color found their way to the course, the sport would transform. “We’ve got the athleticism,” Alexander said. “If more of us got in, we’d take over the game. I’m just happy to be part of the wave.”

 

That wave includes Patrick Peterson, longtime NFL star and now Gold Links’ Director of Membership. For him, golf provided a competitive outlet after football—but Gold Links gave him a platform to give back.

 

“We want to bridge the gap,” Peterson said. “There’s not enough representation in golf, but it’s not just about skill—it’s the cost of clubs, lessons, and playing on elite courses. That’s what Ed is addressing. He’s breaking that barrier and showing our community that we belong out here.”

 

Peterson added, “Ed’s been playing since he was three years old. I’m jealous of his swing. But beyond that, he’s using his experience to guide others. That’s what makes him special.”

 

 

A Lifelong Impact: From the Backyard to the Brand

 

President of Famous Supply wholesale distribution company Brian Blaushild, who grew up next door to Ed in Cleveland, Ohio, has witnessed that mentorship firsthand.

 

“It was really Eddie [Hills] who helped shape my golf game,” Brian Blaushild said. “He taught me how to think through the course—how to prep and approach the game. Watching him as a successful junior golfer inspired me as a kid. Thirty-five years later, we’re still close.”

 

Ceo of Famous Supply Marc Blaushild, Brian’s father, considers Hills family.

 

“I’ve known him since he was a little boy,” Marc Blaushild said. “Our backyards touched. He’s been like a brother to my sons. Ed has always had the ability to see what others miss—the mental game, the emotional side. That’s what makes him such a strong teacher and leader.”

 

Style, Content, and Culture: Rewriting the Narrative

 

At Gold Links, it’s not just about golf—it’s about how golf is presented. Hills understands that branding plays a huge role in perception, and for a sport long steeped in tradition, that perception needs a transformation.

 

“Look good, feel good, play good,” Hills said, channeling Deion Sanders. “Getting fresh on the course is a thing now. That’s our culture.”

 

Gold Links embraces fashion-forward style, collaborating with brands like Greyson Clothiers to bring streetwear sensibilities to the course. That visual identity has extended to social media, where Gold Links’ digital content—especially with creators like Roger Steele—has gone viral.

 

“Our first reel with Butch and Roger did over a million views in a day,” Hills said. “People want to see you being unapologetically yourself on the course. Whether it gets a laugh or boosts competition, that’s what we’re all about—bringing authenticity to every swing.”

 

Additionally, Hills mentioned how the moment marked a shift in what resonates with audiences.

 

“It proved people want to see Black joy on the golf course. Content has become the foundation of what we do.”

 

Beyond the Course: Building a Black Golf Ecosystem

 

Behind the scenes, Hills and Goldlinks brought together a powerhouse team of athletes, artists, and influencers. One of the founding members is Morehouse alum David “D.” Leeks class of ‘08, co-founder of Street Execs and Gold Links’ Club President.

 

“What we’re building is an ecosystem,” Leeks said. “We’ve got people from sports, music, fashion, law—it’s all about showing what it means to be Black and love golf, without the filters.”

 

Leeks credits Hills for personally introducing him to the game. 

 

“Before Morehouse, I knew nothing about golf. Ed educated me. Now we’re bringing brands into this space not to ‘diversify’ golf, but to show them the real faces of it.”

 

The Future of Black Golf: Legacy in Motion

 

Hills’ vision is bold but rooted in simple values: start where you are, bring your people with you, and build something that lasts.

 

“Golf is something you can play for life,” Hills said. “Some of the greatest golfers started in their 20s. The key is making people feel like they belong.”

 

Every tournament, every partnership, every lesson is a step toward a new reality—where a young Black kid picking up a club sees not just possibility, but representation.

 

“We want to build community,” Hills said. “That’s the heartbeat. If we do that, everything else—sponsorships, content, success—will come.”

 

And if the momentum behind Gold Links is any indication, that future is not far away. It is already unfolding—on  courses everywhere, in group chats across the country, and in viral videos that are reshaping how Black golf is seen, celebrated, and sustained.

 

Ed Hills is not just playing golf. He is changing it. One swing, one story, and one soul at a time.

Copy Edited by Rece Allen, Sports Editor