Global Golf Institute (GGI) hosted its 2016 National Black Golf & Jazz Pioneers Tournament & Achievement Awards (NBG&JPT&AA) over two days, April 5-6, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The 5th annual fundraiser for GGI recognized golf and music icons who are propelling minority communities forward. Glennon Bazzle, Founder, Project Director for GGI and the NBG&JMAA is a Hurricane Katrina survivor and now resides in Birmingham, Alabama.
Activities were held at the Ashe Cultural Arts Institute and the Joe Bartholomew Sr. Municipal Golf Course where Champions Tour golfer Jim Thorpe was on hand throughout and lead a jovial golf clinic for attendees. Thorpe was also presented a Certificate of Appreciation by Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor, City of New Orleans.
Golf honorees included James Beatty (NCS International), Debert Cook (African American Golfer’s Digest), Dr. Michael Cooper (Golf Advocate), Thomas Frank (caddy), Arthur “Ducky” Gilbert (Golf Professional), Selina Johnson (Hollywood Golf Institute), Gladys Lee (Roaring Lambs Junior Golf Academy), Otis Windham (Heart2Heart Community Outreach) and the late Victor J. Vavasseur (Athletic Director).
Congratulations to all of the honorees and to the “King of Swing” Glennon Bazzle for bringing together a once in a lifetime group of legends in jazz and golf. We can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2017!