Co-Founders Earl Cooper And Olajuwon Ajanaku Expand Their Golf Apparel Lifestyle Brand To Retail Storefront In Detroit
Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper are returning to Detroit using their business as a tentpole.
The Morehouse College graduates are the visionaries behind Eastside Golf, a golf apparel lifestyle brand launched to bring more attention to youth golfers and energize interest in golf among those who don’t commonly play the sport, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
The pair did not have a background in fashion, but made the risky move to quit their full-time corporate jobs in America to put everything into the venture, according to AFROTECH™. That move has fared well for the entrepreneurs.
Their business secured $3.4 million in funding in 2024 through a round led by EP Golf Ventures, a partnership between the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) and Elysian Park Ventures.
The pair also debuted a footwear collaboration with Nike in 2024 and have secured partnerships with the MLB, NFL, NBA, Mercedes-Benz USA and Jordan Brand, AFROTECH™ previously reported.
What’s more, the winning streak continues as Eastside Golf has expanded, marking its first U.S.-based retail store in the city of Detroit.
The storefront, operated in partnership with Paradies Lagardère, is located at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and marks a full-circle moment for both founders.
“I came up with the idea for Eastside Golf while I was working in finance in Detroit,” Ajanaku said in a press release obtained by AFROTECH™. “I remember showing Earl a sketch of our Swingman logo, and he suggested I put it on a t-shirt. I did, and I was stopped so many times while I was walking around Detroit by people asking where I got this shirt. At that point, I knew there was something there and Eastside Golf was born. With that history, it just feels right to open our first store here.”
Cooper added that Michigan, especially Detroit, holds immense significance for him.
Born in Flint, MI, he made history as the first Black PGA Teaching Professional at the Detroit Golf Club. The opening of their brand’s first store in a city so meaningful to both Olajuwon and Cooper represents a full-circle moment.
As for what customers can expect at the location, which spans 300 square feet, there will be Eastside Golf apparel and accessories, including its signature Swingman sweatshirts, tracksuits, performance polos, and more.
“Eastside Golf transcends culture, music, streetwear and golf, creating clothing that appeals to both golfers and non-golfers alike,” Aaron Bonham, Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer at Paradies Lagardère, said in the press release.
Bonham added, “We saw how well the brand was selling in our partner stores, and it was a natural evolution to partner with them to open their own retail location. As golf continues to gain more cultural relevancy and credibility, we anticipate this store will perform incredibly well and look forward to expanding our partnership through our PGA TOUR Shops and future Eastside Golf locations.”
