December 27th 2023.
In recent years, a new wave of golf apparel brands have shaken up the sport, introducing bold designs that are attracting diverse players. Eastside Golf is a key example of this new wave, founded in June 2019 by Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper.
Starting from two to 16 employees, Eastside Golf has seen rapid growth. According to FastCompany, in the first year alone the brand made $100,000 in revenue and is projected to reach $4 million by 2023. Eastside Golf has gone beyond being a lifestyle apparel company and has become a considerable force in diversifying the sport, with luminaries like Barack Obama, DJ Khaled, Dwyane Wade, and CC Sabathia donning their apparel.
Ajanaku and Cooper, former teammates on Morehouse College’s golf team, are now playing pivotal roles in revolutionizing the sport. Cooper became a Class-A PGA pro and renowned instructor, while Ajanaku, unable to secure sponsorship for his pro golf aspirations, ventured into finance. It was then that the idea for Eastside Golf was born. Their distinctive swingman logo featuring Ajanaku in jeans and a sweatshirt quickly caught the attention of onlookers.
Eastside Golf has since collaborated with Jordan Brand, the NBA, Apple, and Mercedes-Benz USA, further solidifying their position as trailblazers in the industry. On the collaboration with Jordan Brand, Ajanaku highlighted the shared passion for golf: “We’re just bringing a different wave to golf.” This collusion resulted in diverse apparel items and shoes, including the recently launched Change 1961 Collection featuring Eastside Golf X Jordan Golf shoes and a 14-piece apparel collection.
Ajanaku and Cooper have their sights set on more than accolades. With the game’s economic impact surpassing $100 billion, their goal is to foster diversity and expose communities to opportunities within the sport. To emphasize their commitment to future leaders, Eastside Golf has donated $150,000 and a custom Sprinter van to the Morehouse golf program.
As for future plans, Eastside Golf plans to host community events in various cities, launch a women’s apparel line, and establish a brick-and-mortar store in Atlanta. In addition, they are dreaming of an Eastside Golf-style country club and a foundation that nurtures junior golfers. Ajanaku summed up the vision: “We want to grow the brand to a place where we’re touching all points of golf, growing the game of golf to a place we wanted to see it when we were younger.”
Eastside Golf’s founders, Ajanaku and Cooper, have set out to make an enduring impact on the game and inspire future generations. While Ajanaku hasn’t given up on his dream of turning pro, his and Cooper’s current mission is much bigger - and it’s sure to leave a lasting legacy for the sport.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
