About Us
The purpose of the AA Tour Quest (AATQ) is to identify potential African American Golfers who desire to play Professional Golf on the PGA Tour.
AATQ is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a minimum of 5 PGA/LPGA Tour Playing Professionals in the next 10 years.
AATQ provides tournament sponsorship, access to PGA golf instruction, fitness/nutrition trainers, sports psychologists, practice facilities, and scholarships for PGA qualifying school to break barriers and provide access for people of color to compete on the PGA Tour.
To accomplish our goal, AATQ will identify a minimum of 5 not to exceed 10 exceptional African American golfers annually who are willing to put in the work to practice and compete on a high level.
AATQ will identify potential golfers in the San Francisco Bay Area starting in Oakland, and move throughout Northern California, eventually nationwide.
The AATQ project will cost $20 million over the next 10 years to successfully meet our goals and objectives.
If you are interested in supporting the mission of AATQ, please contact Preston Pinkney at preston@the pinkneyfoundation.org
OUR TEAM
AATQ has a very experienced team of professionals dedicated to breaking barriers in the golf industry
by providing access for people of color to compete on the PGA/LPGA Tour.
Preston Pinkney- Founder and Director of AATQ
Preston has over 20 years’ experience in youth development and managing junior golf programs. He has grown the City of Oakland Ace Kids Golf Program from 200 to 960 participants annually. Through his passion and dedication to at-risk youth and the sport of golf, Preston recognizes the need for fairness, equity, and inclusion for minority golfers to participate on the PGA/LPGA Tour. Preston assembled this team of individuals to remove financial and social barriers to allow for AATQ golfers to become exceptional athletes and compete on the highest level in the world. Preston is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Pinkney Foundation, a member of Oakland Rotary, and on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Golf Association.
Jeffrey Callaway- Director of Player Development
Jeffrey (JC) Callaway received his Associate of Arts Degree in Radio & Television from Los Angeles City College, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (concentration in Television, Film, & Journalism) from California State University, Dominguez Hills—where he was a member of 1984 (13th ranked) Toros Golf Team. He has 40-years of experience in the golf industry. As a native of Los Angeles, California, he played on the Fairfax High Golf team during his sophomore year, he later became the Driving Range Manager at Rancho Park. After graduating from Cal State Dominguez Hills, he turned professional and played in a limited number of professional tournaments and qualifiers. He was an instructor, and caddie at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA, and the associated director for the “Joe Norwood: Anatomy of Golf” instructional DVD, featuring the teaching of the late-renown & legendary PGA Golf Instructor Joe Norwood. Jeff wrote and self-publish a book entitled, Invisible Golfers: African Americans PGA Tour-Quest (©1999), which he researched & investigated reasons why African Americans were, and still are, virtually non-existent on the PGA Tour. In 1998, Mr. Callaway was hired by the Ace Foundation in Oakland, CA., as the first executive director for its Ace Kids Golf Program (in partnership with City of Oakland Parks & Recreation Department) where he was in charge of the program’s budget & daily operations. Mr. Callaway developed a definitive golf program for the UCLA Cultural & Recreational Affairs Department, where he coached & instructed students about the biomechanics of a golf swing and introduced to them his “SkeleSwing Fundamentals.” He co-founded SkeleSwing Golf Productions, LLC, where he served as Senior Managing Director in charge of day-to-day operations. Presently, Mr. Callaway is serving as Director of Player Development & Head Coach for the African American Tour Quest (AATQ ) professional golf tour development program in Oakland, CA.
Spencer Tyrus- Board Chair
Mr. Tyrus has an extensive career. He was the Executive Director of Interfaith Network for Community Help (INCH), Executive Director of Reality Mentor Inc., Procurement Senior Contract Manager for AT&T, and Director of Workforce Development Program for Columbus Urban League. As a volunteer he has served in many capacities including Community Patients Advisory Board for San Ramon Regional Medical Center, Chairman of The First Tee of Oakland Board of Directors, Past-Chairman of Diablo Black Men's Group, Board of Directors of American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, Chairman of American Red Cross Bay Area Contra Costa County Leadership, Co-Chair of Bay Area Chapter Youth Services and Men of Color Board Advisory for Casey Family Program. Mr. Tyrus is also a retired U.S. Army Rank Sergeant E5. His formal education includes an MBA from Golden Gate University, MA from Central Michigan University, B.A. from Park University, and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from California State University. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Pi Fraternity.
Dr. Bill Riley- Partnership Development Officer
Dr. Riley is a native of Oakland, California. He attended Oakland public schools and transferred from Merritt College, where he was student body president, to the University of San Francisco (USF) where he earned a B.A. in Sociology and Physical Education and an Ed.D. in Educational Policy. Dr. Riley’s M.A. in Educational Administration was received from San Francisco State University. With his doctorate in Educational Policy, he served in public education over 39 years, including the Oakland, East Palo Alto/Ravenswood, and San Ramon School Districts. Over the years in education, he has served in the roles of teacher, counselor, coach, principal, vice-principal, and administrator on special assignment; Dr. Riley has also served as the Alameda County Office of Education's Coordinator of Pupil Services and Child and Family Advocacy.
Shareef Salaam- Sport Psychology Mental Skill Consultant
Shareef Salaam is the Director of National University’s LEAP (Life Enhancement Through Athletic Participation) program as well as he is the founder and CEO, of the Sport Psychology athletic performance enhancement consultation group, YOU LLC (Youth Onward & Upward LLC). Shareef also serves as an early intervention clinician for UCSF Benioff’s Center for The Vulnerable Child SPARK program. Currently, Shareef is completing a dual degree program at John F. Kennedy University where he will obtain a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology coupled with a master's in Sport Psychology.
Angel Cabrera- Director of Sports Fitness and Nutrition
Angel has over 17 years of industry experience, as a Performance Coach and Manual Therapist. Angel specializes in corrective exercise, nutrition, strengthening and conditioning, and lifestyle coaching. His integrative and personalized programs have helped athletes and individuals improve performance, prevent injuries, and improve their overall health and vitality. He has studied with C.H.E.K. Institute in San Diego, California, and has a long list of certifications in Golf Performance, Holistic Lifestyle Coaching, and Sport/Therapeutic Massage. Angel understands the needs of his clients and strives to stay on the cutting edge of training, nutrition, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. He is committed to changing lives and helping clients reach their goals
Steve Barretto- Marketing and Communications Director
Steve is the Principal Owner of Barretto-Co. He has over 30 years’ experience in graphic design and marketing working for Clement Mok Designs, Apple, Silver Line Group, GSI Commerce, eBay and Words Pictures Ideas. His company seeks to partner with "change" agents—those organizations and individuals working in support of communities, sustainability, and the public good—helping them with expert design and unique brand experiences to market their products and services, incorporate best practices, and apply new thinking in the digital age.
Anthony Keeton-Board Member-At-Large
Anthony Keeton is the President of Keetone Enterprises, Keetone Tax & Financial Services, Chief Executive Producer of Keytone Productions, Lovetone Records, Keytone Records, and a Director with LegalShield. He is a philanthropist that wears his heart on his sleeve.
Mr. Keeton was an athlete in high school and college. He was recruited by San Francisco State in 1972 to play Football, majoring in Psychology. When the football team was defunded, Mr. Keeton was recruited by Merritt and Alameda college track teams. Eventually, he competed on Alameda’s track team as a javelin thrower and received a medal for 3rd place. Mr. Keeton has had a passion for golf since he was introduced to the game at 11 years old. He is a member of the Golden Gate Par Chasers Golf Club and enjoys the fellowship with his group.
During his successful business career, Mr. Keeton always sets aside time to give back to his community. He has been a volunteer for The First Tee of Oakland and the treasurer for the Lake Chabot Junior Golf Academy in which he provided pro bono tax services for over nine years.
AARON GRANT III- Board Member-At-Large
With almost a century of history in the Bay Area, Aaron Grant comes from an international family with roots in Cairo, Egypt and Richmond, California. Born in Oakland, Aaron has been serving Youth in his local community since 2008, first as a continuation high school teacher until 2017, and later as a mentor and coach with the Ace Kids Golf Program. Aaron continues to mentor several of his students who have graduated high school. Aaron is the owner of Grant Property Management and Investments in Oakland.
He is fluent in French, Spanish and speaks a little Arabic and Italian. The multicultural gentleman is an avid and passionate golfer. He is equally passionate about supporting African American student-athletes. He is thrilled to be on the Board of Directors for the Pinkney Foundation in support of the African American Tour Quest.
Anthony Keeton graduated from San Francisco State University with B.A. in Sports Medicine.