Day 1
Here it is Sunday morning, Nov. 10, and I am at the Cedar Crest Golf Course where two historic events are taking place. The Sifford Player Development Symposium, whose purpose is to develop a shared point-of-view among experts, leaders and activists about how to increase the numbers, visibility and competitiveness of underrepresented golfers (URG) and the start of The Southwest Airlines Showcase which is a 54-hole stroke play All-Star Invitational celebrating the talents of the top 21 male and 21 female college-aged golfers who are leaders in further diversifying the game. A full roster of the contestants can be viewed here
The setting – Cedar Crest Golf Course
Founded in 1919 and located in southern Dallas (TX), this A.W. Tillinghast classic gem hosted the 1927 PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen, as well as the 1954 UGA Negro National Open won by Dr. Charlie Sifford. The historic golf course annually hosts the CJ Cup Byron Nelson Operation Appreciation Pro-Am as well as the Dallas Amateur Championship.
The course is rated as par 70 course covering 6726 yards and is rated at 73.8 and a slope of 134. The course record is 63 held by Lee Carter on the men’s side and 63 set last year in the Showcase in 2023 by Emma Henningsson from the University of South Dakota who is also in the field today
The course has been successfully managed for 17 years under a contract with the City of Dallas by Ira Molayo through his management firm with a staff approaching 30 people comprised of many African Americans. Ira also has management of the pro shop which has an assortment of great products including Black-owned brands such as Trap Golf and Eastside Golf. Ira has been acutely aware of the economic development efforts in south Dallas and has vowed to make sure Cedar Crest is very much involved in that effort. Ira is also a cofounder of the I AM A GOLFER Foundation, a 501(c)3 in 2018 with the mission to be a catalyst for community renewal and transformation in South Dallas through the Programming, Preservation, and Promotion of the historic Cedar Crest Golf Course.
THE SIFFORD SYMPOSIUM @ CEDAR CREST GOLF COURSE
The Sifford Symposium opened with comments from Michael Cooper from the USGA, Russ Crockett, the ED of the Sifford Scholars Foundation and an inspiring video which can be seen here https://www.drcharlessifford.com/ about Charlie. Sifford with words from his son Charlie Sifford Jr. The meeting was expertly facilitated by Jay Cone and Lisa Weaver cofounders of Unstuck Minds and team member Mia Broh all based in the Dallas area. They did masterful job of pre-symposium planning, conducting surveys, and articulating much information gathered for the Symposium. Take a look at the roster of invited attendees below:
| First name: | Last name: | Organization: |
| Jim | Beatty | African American Golfer’s Digest/ JBGV |
| Jenny | Bethune | Tee Divas & Dudes |
| Michael | Cooper | USGA |
| Russ | Crockett | Sifford Scholars |
| Heather | Daly Donofrio | USGA |
| Kenneth | Duncan | Renegade Golf |
| LaJean | Gould | Women in Golf Foundation |
| Will | Lowery | Underrated/Cross Hand Pro |
| Mark | Lowry | NGPDF |
| Ira | Molayo | Cedar Crest GC |
| Ashley | Nicks | Pro Duffers Dallas |
| Sam | Puryear | Howard University |
| Kenyatta | Ramsey | PGA TOUR |
| Charles Jr. | Sifford | Sifford Scholars |
| Kennie | Sims | PGA of America |
| Leonard | Smoot | Miles College |
| Roger | Steele | Hipe Media |
| Adrian | Stills | APGA board & co-founder |
| Chuck | Walker | I Am A Golfer |
| Ryan | Wilson | First Tee Central Carolina |
| Jerry | Woodard | Pro Duffers Dallas |
| Sommer | Woods | John Shippen Invitational |
| Gus | Vital | Parent of two elite players |
| Becca | Bailey | PGA of America |
| Solomon | Hughes | John Shippen Invitational |
Craig Kirby Golf My Future My Game
Listed here are the desired outcomes and agenda to be achieved by the end of the day.
- Alignment on the components of URG player development.
- Alignment on the elements of a vision for URG player development by category that we can use to guide our discussions.
- A shared understanding of current activities and resources so that we can identify opportunities to collaborate and coordinate.
- A list of what’s working and what needs to change about the current state of URG player development.
- A list of recommendations for closing the highest priority gaps between the current state and the desired future.
- An action plan for turning symposium deliverables into documented recommendations.
Did you know that only 2% of the 8,600 male NCAA golfers are Black athletes and 2% of the 5,700 female golfers are Black athletes according to the 2023 NCAA Diversity Report. See the full report here https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2018/12/13/ncaa-demographics-database.aspx?id=1729
By comparison 45% of HBCU male golfers are Black and 44% of female HBCU golfers are Black. The discussion was in-depth and lively. Needless to say, we have a way to go and this symposium has helped to layout a blueprint for an action plan as seen on the chart below. Each task has been assigned to a person who will lead that effort.
The SOUTHWEST SHOWCASE at Cedar Crest Golf Course
The Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest will be Broadcast LIVE on GOLF Channel, Nov. 11-13 (1:30-4:30pm CST), the celebration culminates with a 54-hole stroke play competition where the spotlight will shine brightly on the 21 male and 21 female LIFT (Leaders in a Future Together) award recipients.
Leading into the three days of World Amateur Golf Ranked Competition there will be a Player Welcome Reception, Player Visit to Southwest Airlines Headquarters, Community Youth Festival, Sponsor-Am Golf Outing, and Sunday evening LIFT Awards Dinner with special guests, and many others!
Player eligibility criteria includes but is not limited to:
- Must be an amateur (as of Nov. 13, 2024)
- Top 10 highest ranking individuals per aggregate rankings of Showcase Selection Committee
- Highest finishing eligible participant in allied events
- Special invitation
Entry Fee:
– Fees are covered by the I AM A GOLFER Foundation and include 54 holes of competition, Sponsor Am outing or practice round(s), airfare, lodging, meals, professional development activities, a player gift package, and more!
The Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest winners will receive:
- Custom Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest Iconic Heart Trophy
- Airfare and SWAG Pack courtesy of Southwest Airlines
- Exemption into APGA event (Male and Female)
- Exemption into TX State Amateur Championship (must be TX resident)
- Exemption into Texas State Open
- Exemption into Texas Women’s Open
Transportation:
– Air transportation provided by Southwest Airlines
– Players and families will be shuttled from the Dallas Love Field Airport to and from the Beeman Hotel on arrival and departure day
– On tournament days, players will be shuttled from the Beeman Hotel to Cedar Crest Golf Course and back to the hotel after their round.
Practice Rounds:
– Fri., Nov. 8 – Anytime
– Sat., Nov. 9 – Shotgun start at 12:00 PM
– Sun., Nov. 10 – Sponsor-Am Golf Outing at 10:00 AM
– Practice Area Operating Hours: Open daily from 7:30 AM until 5:00 PM (weather permitting)
The 2024 All Star Contestants at the fabulous dinner held at the Beeman
A full roster of the contestants can be viewed here
To see more photos please go to https://www.facebook.com/buck.afogey/
Good People, I have to end this article simply by saying the history was made today on player development and The Southwest Showcase gives me great pride and assurance the our future in golf looks very promising. Read more tomorrow
