- Akina is Golfweek's #1-ranked golfer in 2025 class; Named
2023 USA Today National Boys High School Golfer of the
Year
- Signing Furthers Eastside Golf's Commitment To Supporting
Promising Young Golfers Shaping The Future of the Game
NEW
YORK, July 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastside
Golf furthered its commitment to supporting the next generation of
athletes today by announcing the signing of superstar young golfer
Kihei Akina to its Name, Image and
Likeness (NIL) athlete roster. Akina, ranked No. 1 in the 2025
class by Golfweek, now accompanies Temple
University freshman Matthew
Vital on Eastside Golf's NIL roster as the apparel brand
continues to expand its platform supporting and sponsoring talented
young golfers.
"Kihei is not just one of our country's best young golfers, but
also a standout athlete who represents the bright future of our
sport both on and off the course. He's an incredible player from an
amazing family with major ambitions who puts in immense effort to
be the best version of himself and someone kids look up to.
Eastside Golf is honored to have him on our team," said
Earl Cooper, Eastside Golf's
co-founder and CEO.
"I'm proud to welcome Kihei and his family into Eastside Golf
where our NIL program will bring him the access, mentorship,
opportunities and financial support he deserves as he strives to be
the best golfer he can be. Earl and I understand the grueling
journey that golf can be for a young athlete, and we are excited to
work with Kihei to support him as he continues to excel in the
game," said Olajuwon Ajanaku,
Eastside Golf's co-founder and creative director.
Akina, a native of Kahuku,
Hawaii, and rising senior at Lone Peak High School in
Highland, U.T., was named the 2023 USA Today National Boys High
School Golfer of the Year. He has secured a pair of top-5 finishes
in Junior tournaments already this year, including 1st place at the
Nike Junior Invitational, and setting the course and tournament
record at the Terra Cotta Invitational at Naples Golf Club,
shooting a 62. He also advanced to the final qualifying round for
the U.S. Open this year after shooting the second-best score (-3)
at a local qualifying event. The rising senior has already
committed to Brigham Young
University.
"As someone who has worn their gear for years, it's exciting to
now represent Eastside Golf on the course, " said Kihei Akina. "I admire how Eastside Golf is all
about bringing the community and culture together as one. Their
values and how they want to bring opportunities to those who
previously may not have had them closely align with my goals. I
want to be a model to younger people and grow the game of golf, and
I'm pumped to be able to do so alongside Earl, Olajuwon and their
entire team. Plus, their gear is fire, both on and off the
course."
"Eastside Golf shows that you can dress how you feel comfortable
and be welcome in the golf world," said Alan Akina, Kihei's father. "Earl and Olajuwon
are breaking down the barriers that too often exist in the sport.
As a dad, that made me feel entirely comfortable with and excited
about Kihei partnering with Eastside Golf. We love what they stand
for and have a shared vision of how to push the game of golf
forward."
Founded in 2019 by former Morehouse College golf teammates
Olajuwon Ajanaku and PGA of America
Golf Professional Earl Cooper, Eastside Golf is transforming public
perceptions of golf, actively reshaping the cultural dialogue
surrounding the game to support more inclusivity and diversity, and
creating more authentic opportunities to bring a broader audience
into the game to grow the sport for generations to come. Eastside
Golf is deeply committed to supporting and spotlighting HBCU golf
through events and partnerships and has donated a cumulative
$300,000 to support the Morehouse College golf team.
The organization's apparel has been embraced by golf
professionals, former presidents, celebrities, fashion influencers
and professional athletes alike, including NBA stars Chris Paul and Jayson
Tatum, NFL great Victor Cruz,
musician DJ Khaled, and former President Barack Obama. Its success is further underscored
by notable relationships with global brands including seven
collaborations with Jordan Brand,
and strategic partnerships and licensing deals with major entities
such as the NBA, MLB, and Mercedes
Benz. Eastside Golf was profiled in Hulu's "Grails: When
Sneakers Change the Game," a six-episode docuseries on how Ajanaku
and Cooper are driving social and cultural change in golf.
About Eastside Golf
Eastside Golf is a lifestyle
apparel brand rooted in golf that is using fashion to change the
perception of the game. The mission of Eastside Golf is to be the
lifestyle brand customers deserve — forging new paths and breaking
barriers by designing and curating classic lifestyle wear of the
highest quality so every customer can authentically express
themselves in comfortable luxury. Eastside Golf's community
outreach and golf education aims to connect young professionals and
non-golfers with education, resources, and encouragement to love
the game. Learn more at www.eastsidegolf.com, and connect with us
on Facebook, Instagram and X through @EastsideGolf.
Media Contact: Colin Hass-Hill,
colin@androbin.co
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SOURCE Eastside Golf