(L-R) Lou Hughes, President, Knickerbocker Golf Club enjoys the evening with Pat Newton-Foster, Debert Cook and Willie A. Holmes
July 28, 2019 | BY AAGD STAFF
The Knickerbocker Golf Club Inc. held its 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala and Golf Tournament on Saturday, July 27, 2019 with hundreds of well-wishers in attendance. Founded in 1944, the nonprofit club is one of the oldest African American Golf clubs in the United States. The festivities included a morning shotgun start tournament at Alling Memorial Golf Course in New Haven followed by a cocktail reception and sit-down dinner at the Fantasia Banquet Hall on Washington Avenue (North Haven, CT) with special guest speaker Debert Cook, publisher, African American Golfer’s Digest. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Knickerbocker Scholarship Fund.
Toni Nathaniel Harp, 50th and current Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut (center) with Joyce and Jerry Poole
The Knickerbocker’s Facebook page displays a flurry of exciting golf, social and recreational activities for members and the community at large and, keeps members satisfied with a variety of programs throughout the year, most noted is its upcoming annual Christmas party during December, which is always a coveted invitation.
Left Photo: Robert and Gloria Parker (left), Wayne and Clara Simmons and Salina Bartell (sitting). Center Photo: Ronnie Elliott and Willie A. Holmes. Right Photo: Debert Cook (left) with Mr. and Mrs. James Courtney.
“It’s hard to imagine golf without Tiger, but many of us can,” said Willie A. Holmes, the Knickerbocker Club’s residing historian and 75th Gala Celebration Chairman. “For those of us who remember what it was like for African Americans trying to break into what was once considered a white-only sport, it’s even harder to imagine why we’d want to,” added Holmes who is a past Club President and its longest living member.
(L-R) Mayor Toni Harp, Pat Newton-Foster, Debert Cook, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro
For more information contact the Knickerbocker Golf Club at 293-865-1431 or email knickerbockergolfclub75@Ya
