The movement traces its roots to the Concession Cup, an international competition inspired by the famous concession during the 1969 Ryder Cup. Originally launched as a biennial contest between elite American, British and Irish mid-amateurs before expanding to include Europe and women\u2019s competition, the event gradually evolved into something larger after its reception convinced organizers that amateur golf required broader support.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI think the catalyst was how well the Concession Cup was received,\u201d Fadel says. \u201cEspecially by the women who have very little to compete in. We feel like having the opportunity to make this team will engage women in the game, especially in the mid-amateur game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, the Amateur Golf Alliance operates as a non-profit think tank dedicated to strengthening elite amateur competition. Alongside staging international events, it has funded college players who previously lacked financial resources and provided stipends to other members of amateur golf team practice squads so they could compete on equal footing. It also developed player-performance technology, launched a national golf championship with the National Links Trust, and continues expanding opportunities for mid-amateur women through one of the world\u2019s highest-rated competitions in that category.<\/p>\n
Each initiative reflects a philosophy Fadel believes has become increasingly important as golf\u2019s financial landscape changes. \u201cAfter what\u2019s happened with LIV Golf and the purses on the professional tours, money is just taking over the sport,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to construct elite competitions where money for the players isn\u2019t the primary focus. They\u2019re doing it for the love of the game.\u201d <\/p>\n
His emphasis repeatedly returns to merit. \u201cWe\u2019ve tried to elevate people and help them reach where they should be on the basis of merit and nothing else,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Fadel speaks from personal experience. Raised as a caddie, golf earned him a university scholarship before leading to a season on the PGA Tour and decades of success as one of Ohio\u2019s most accomplished amateur players. Looking back, he sees every opportunity in his own career as evidence of what access to the game can create.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy motivation is I\u2019m just paying back what I\u2019ve received,\u201d he says. \u201cGolf got me a free education. I qualified for the professional tour. None of this would\u2019ve been possible except for somebody bringing me into the game. We want to bring people into the game in hopes they\u2019ll receive the same kind of benefit, and more.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the sport continues working to expand access and attract younger generations, workforce development has become a growing part of the conversation, highlighting golf\u2019s potential as a source of professional opportunities both on and off the course. Fadel has brought that perspective into his work through a workforce development program in Washington, D.C., supported by both AGA and the National Links Trust. The program introduces inner-city students to the operational side of golf facilities, from course maintenance to daily club operations, while giving participants insight into the range of careers connected to the sport.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the most ambitious goal lies in preserving what Fadel calls golf\u2019s \u201cmissing middle\u201d. He points out that numerous accomplished junior golfers eventually reach an age where professional careers become unlikely, yet structured elite competition largely disappears. Instead of viewing that point as the end of competitive golf, Fadel argues it should become the beginning of another chapter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe think it\u2019s about playing the game for a lifetime and playing at the elite level as long as you can,\u201d Fadel says. \u201cWe\u2019re hoping to fill that gap.\u201d<\/p>\n