Oneda Castillo Named Clubfitting Professional of the Year by African American Golfer’s Digest
NEW YORK, NY (October 30, 2015) Oneda Castillo, a long-standing member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is recognized as Clubfitting Professional of the Year by the African American Golfer’s Digest, the nation’s leading publication for avid Black American Golfers and a PGA of America Diverse Supplier.
Castillo, a native of Akron, Ohio, who was raised in Cleveland (OH) and Buffalo (NY), first got involved in golf at age 30, swinging at a local driving range through the invitation of a friend. Today, the working mother with two children has been married nearly 44-years and has achieved a swath of success in her field obtaining membership status with the USGFT and since 1998 the LPGA.
During her distinguished career, Castillo has won many awards including being voted by her peers, in 2012, as PGA S.E. Section Teacher of the Year. In 2014, she was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame. In April 2015, she was honored as an Epic First…”Woman Who Launched New Dimensions” by The Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and, in October 2015.
“It is an honor to recognize Ms. Castillo with this distinction as our Clubfitting Professional of the Year for 2015,” said Publisher Debert Cook, the only woman to solely own a golf publication focused on African American golf. “Through her numerous achievements, stellar career, strong values and personal determination to serve in the golf industry, she is a role model for men and women alike. I am proud to showcase her on our cover of the Summer 2015 edition of our magazine for all to become aware of her skills and professionalism.”
Castillo has served with the LPGA, headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., for over a decade. She has taught the Golf for Women Clinics around the country and worked as a National Evaluator for most of the time, testing and grading up-and-coming members of the Teaching & Club Professionals Division. In January 2014 she was appointed to the newly formed LPGA Global Education Program. Her involvement also includes serving as Director of Golf for the Women in Golf Foundation (Atlanta, GA), with a focus on youth. Among Ms. Castillo’s other goals is to play golf in all 50 states.