Tournament in review.

With the goal of further leveling the playing field for African American executives and entrepreneurs, The BLACK ENTERPRISE/Pepsi Golf & Tennis Challenge was created last year and became an immediate success. Last Labor Day weekend, more than 900 black executives and entrepreneurs from across the country gathered to enjoy great weather and facilities at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Last year's Challenge was the first ever national African American golf and tennis event. This year's event, to be held August 31-Sept. 4, again at the PGA National Resort, promises to establish The Challenge as a can't-miss tradition of American business. More than 900 people are expected to take advantage of the facility's wide array of golf courses and tennis courts. Also, the luxurious spa facility will be accessible to all those attending the tournament.

For the second year, the Challenge will feature celebrities and leaders in the world's of business, sports, government and entertainment. As it did last year, The Challenge will donate proceeds from the tournament to the National Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association and the American Tennis Association's Junior Development Program.

But in the forefront of last year's event was the real objective for the gathering--furthering the progress of African Americans in business, because as BLACK ENTERPRISE Publisher and CEO Earl G. Graves notes, "not all power plays occur in the boardroom."

"Despite the long tradition of black participation in golf and tennis," Publisher Graves continues, "African Americans have historically been excluded by the major institutions of both sports. It's no coincidence that such exclusion has been paralleled in institutions of business. The Challenge is aimed at helping to eliminate those barriers once and for all."

In addition to Pepsi-Cola, the title sponsor, other blue-chip benefactors include American Airlines, American Express, AT&T, Black Entertainment Television, Chase Manhattan Bank, Chrysler Corp., Eastman Kodak, Federal Express, Frito-Lay, Motorola and Reebok International.

Bill Clay, general manager for small business markets with AT&T, attended last year's tournament and will be returning this year. "It has a lot of entertainment value, but it's certainly all business," Clay asserts. "Instead of just quickly bumping into someone during a meeting, last year I had four or five days to actually interact with people."

B.E. Challenge Executive Director Johnny C. Graves stated the goal of this year's tournament is "to get as close to perfection as possible."

"Last year we were successful," he says. "This year we want to further enhance the marketing opportunities for our sponsors and increase the amount of service to the participants."

Thus, The Challenge has bulked up the golf, tennis and spa packages. Tournament participants can also expect a more quickly paced golf tournament and a more competitive atmosphere on the tennis courts, as participants will be tracked more closely to make sure they're competing against equal competition.