What began as a single charitable golf tournament in 2023 has quickly evolved into one of the country’s most dynamic multicultural lifestyle events. Founded by Florida A&M University alum and attorney Clifton Addison, Urban Golf Weekend presented by Lexus returns to Miami Beach from September 3–7 for a five-day gathering hosted at the Eden Roc Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Golf Club.
More than just a tournament, Urban Golf Weekend sits at the intersection of golf, entrepreneurship, wealth creation, style, and wellness. Bringing together hundreds of executives, founders, athletes, and creatives, the event features a Business & Lifestyle Expo, highlighting Black-owned golf and fashion brands like Eastside Golf and Blackballed Golf, alongside high-level panel discussions and curated networking spaces.
Beyond the greens, Addison’s vision remains tied to community impact. Through the Urban Golf Foundation, Inc., the organization has funneled tens of thousands of dollars into HBCU golf programs, youth initiatives, and local school athletic gear, providing young people with access to the opportunities and relationships that surround the sport.
The Quintessential Gentleman sat down with Addison to discuss his earliest memories on the course, breaking down misconceptions about the game, and why community always comes before competition.
You picked up golf at five years old. Where did that first introduction to the sport come from?
I started playing golf at the age of five. My dad was an accountant, and he thought golf would be good to help him move up the corporate ladder, so he started taking courses. And when he decided to do that, he also put a golf club in my hands. I found out real quick how beneficial golf could be in terms of building relationships and helping you in your profession.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions about golf that you think are out there?
I think that a lot of people think that business is done on a golf course. I beg to differ. I think that you learn a lot about a person’s characteristics, whether they cheat, if they’re an honest person. Golf is the only sport where you have direct interaction and communication with somebody for at least five hours. So you get a good assessment of who that person is. I think the relationships are made on the course, and then it turns into business.
For someone looking to pick up the game, what’s your advice on where to start?
You always gotta start off with classes because golf is such a technical sport. You gotta grip the club a certain way, your body’s gotta be aligned a certain way. If you don’t get those bare essentials, you will learn the game wrong and you’ll be starting over every time. Just invest in getting a golf professional, one class a week, and your game will tremendously improve. Don’t go to Topgolf thinking you’re a golfer because that’s not reality; you’re gonna get on that course and lose a hundred balls!
What sparked the idea to launch Urban Golf Weekend back in 2023?
It started based on all those experiences, just how incredible the game is, how it’s such a utility when it comes to networking, business, and social skills. In 2023, it started off with just a simple golf tournament and a networking event after. Fast forward to 2026, we have over 600 people coming. It’s a five-day event with an expo featuring some of the top Black golf companies in the world, CEOs, industry leaders, athletes, and business owners. It has turned into a cultural event, and it’s all about community and people connecting.
Why was Miami Beach the ideal home for this experience?
Miami is a primo city in the world. The backdrop of Miami is so vibrant and colorful. It’s not hard to ask people to come to Miami; people are always looking for an excuse to come here. And two, it’s my home; I was born and raised in Miami. When it comes to the Eden Roc, it’s beautiful, five-star, and right on the beach. Combining a five-star hotel with lovely restaurants, the beach, and our official yacht party just curates a special atmosphere.
Can you share more about the philanthropic mission behind the Urban Golf Foundation?
That’s our 501(c)(3) where we do all our charity work. The organization that taught me how to play golf is First Tee, and I always wanted to give back and provide opportunity for kids who look like me. Every year, we give back to youth programs, and as a two-time HBCU alum, we also provide funding directly to the FAMU golf team to help ensure they have the resources they need. Last year, we donated brand-new Callaway golf clubs to revive the dormant golf team at Booker T. Washington High School in inner-city Miami. A lot of the proceeds we get from Urban Golf Weekend go straight to our charitable actions.
What is your ultimate vision for the future of Urban Golf Weekend?
Addison: We wanna keep providing more access and continue to build out our expo. My dream is to eventually expand into the Miami Beach Convention Center. This event is only four years old, and I’m just gonna continue doing God’s work, growing the brand, providing access to the game of golf, and raising more funds to support the community.
Urban Golf Weekend powered by Lexus takes place September 3–7, 2026, at the Eden Roc Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Golf Club. For more information, visit urbangolfweekend.com.
