Monday Nov. 11
Today was Veterans Day as it has been every Nov. 11 for 106 years. Did you know that the historical roots of Veterans Day lie in the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918, marking the end of World War I. Originally declared as Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, it later evolved into Veterans Day in 1954 to encompass veterans from all US military conflicts.
I salute all of veterans , men and women who have served and currently serve to keep peace in our nation. Think about it, there would not be much golf being played on US soil if the country was at war. Honor this day always. Introduce a veteran to golf
Veterans have given everything to be there for our country when we need it most. We need to be there when they come back. PGA HOPE aims to serve more than 17,000 Veterans in 2024 alone at 550 program locations nationwide.
Led by PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA HOPE is introducing and teaching golf through a 6–8-week curriculum while creating a path forward for Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members.
Learn more about the program here and donate https://www.pgahope.com/
Two heroes were on hand to help us recognize this day. That ‘s Hardy Lee Moore on the left who served as an E-3 in the United States Marine Corps. He and his fellow marine were on site to greet each of the 42 players as they walked off the green at hole 18 . Thank You Gentlemen. We salute you.
(Pictured above) Here are our veterans again with the Honorary Starters for the tournament. L-R: Greg Oden, 2023 Southwest Showcase Men’s Champion, Masters in Sports Management from Howard University alongside Zoe Slaughter, graduate of Texas A and M and the first Black female to play for the Aggies, Charlie Sifford Jr., son of the late, great World Golf Hall Of Famer Charlie Sifford, and PGA Professional Leonard Jones former Head Pro and General Manager of Cedar Crest Golf Course (1981 to 2007). This group was introduced to the crowd and the TV audience by Dr. Michael Cooper, USGA, pictured here as he is shaking hands with well-wishers.
There were also veterans on the course better known as players. These 42 players are indeed veterans of high-level competition and on course battles and have been for years. You just don’t show up at The Showcase, you must earn the privilege to play, Today I spent most of my time watching the ladies play. Wow. Wow. Wow. Just look at the intensity in these swings
There were also veterans on the course better known as players. These 42 players are indeed veterans of high-level competition and on course battles and have been for years. You just don’t show up at The Showcase, you must earn the privilege to play, Today I spent most of my time watching the ladies play.
Shyla has already announced her commitment to play for the University of Texas. Did I mention she is just 16!!!
For a full listing of the leaderboard just click here to find your player.
Women’s Results: Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest
Men’s Results: https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/236218/scoring/player
There is even more veteran action at the tournament in the person of Al Quarles, who is here taking photos for all of us to enjoy. He also has a couple of items that you might want to see and add to your collection. His Charlie Sifford themed apparel recognizes the historic achievements of Mr. Sifford who won at this very course in 1954 in the United Golfers Association National Negro Open.
Learn more by following this link. Thank you Al for stylishly keeping the legacy of Charlie Sifford in front of all of us to respect and honor. Do you know what the 61 symbolizes? Better call Al.
To see some of the great photos posted by Al go to https://www.facebook.com/reel/1268561697660301
Golfers have many styles of golf and so do the spectators. Check out the dapper gentleman pictured below. He was one on the hundreds in attendance. Everyone should make an effort to come out and support these 42 outstanding golfers. This is the best show in town folks!
I will cover more on the men on Day 3. Let me just say that Kci Lindskog, native of Jakarta, Indonesia who competes for Texas Southern is leading the men’s division also at 4 under.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Gerald Barber Sr., President and CEO of Pearls of Wisdom Golf, started playing golf in Los Angeles back in the mid 80’s, and went on to create this organization after years of teaching the game to children he would come into contact with at inner city schools in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pearls of Wisdom became a recognized 501c3 Nonprofit organization in the United States in 2005, devoted to introducing and growing involvement into the world of golf, to children who ordinarily would not receive such an opportunity. Mr. Barber states, “I love teaching this game to any child, anywhere.”
Well so wraps another historic day at Cedar Crest, I will be back on the course to see more high-level competition on Tuesday. Come join me.
