(January 24, 2019) The Black College Golf Coaches’ Association (NBCGCA), a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to bringing together like minds in sport, hosted its first-ever HBCU Golf Legends Invitational on January 21-22 at Ridgewood Lakes Golf & Country Club in Davenport, Florida.
“We had a great line-up of tournament competitors with participation by 11 HBCU golf teams that included 7 men’s teams, 4 women’s teams,” says Craig Bowen, president and founder of the NBCGCA. Top winners of the contested tournament divisions were Florida A&M (Men’s) and Alabama State (women’s).
The inaugural event also included an awards presentation honoring two significant members of the golf industry: The late Dennis K. Burns, a former player at Texas University, golf coach and entrepreneur, along with and John F. Merchant, a Newtown, (CT) based sports and entertainment lawyer.
“This year, we were proud to announce the honorees—two tremendous leaders who have made a positive impact on our world,” said Bowen. “This was the first of a dedicated legends series and we shall continue to celebrate the achievements of a living member, and a deceased member, of the golf community,” continued Bowen, who also serves as Manager of Diversity and Community Engagement for the Chicago Parks Golf Alliance.
Dennis K. Burns
Burns was a graduate of Creston High School and Grand Rapids Community College and also attended Texas Southern in Houston, Texas. At Creston High School he excelled at both football and basketball and was named All-City Quarterback and McDonald’s All American High School football team. Burns excelled in golf but didn’t take it up until he had already earned a college football scholarship for his standout play in high school.
He played college football briefly at Drake University before opting for a golf career. Afterward, he played as a mini-tour professional, posting several wins, before joining the Michigan PGA, becoming its only African American member at the time.
Burns was highly recognized for his notable work for the Tiger Woods Foundation, where he served almost nine years setting up and teaching golf at charity golf clinics featuring Woods for the foundation around the country, as the Director of the Junior Golf clinics. Burns was also the owner of GolfPlay, LLC, a golf course management company. Burnes passed away on December 28, 2011.
Hank Stewart, former college golf coach of the late Dennis K. Burns, accepted the award on his behalf.
John Merchant, In 1958, became the first African American student to graduate from the University of Virginia School of Law and the first African American elected to the USGA Executive Committee. Merchant hailed from a background unlike that of any other during his appointment, his book, “A Journey Worth Taking,” explores in detail his amazing journey through life, as a man born Black and poor in Greenwich, CT in 1933.
John F. Merchant
Merchant specializes in the field of Sports and Entertainment Law and in 1967 served as Consumer Counsel, State of Connecticut Supreme Court (1991-1996). He was a member of the Child Welfare League of America and served his country as Lt.Comdr., United States. Naval Reserve (Retired), 1958-1970.
His work as Deputy Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Community Affairs was well recognized (1967-1971) along with his dedication as President and CEO of the National Minority Golf Foundation (1995). Merchant organized the first series of diversity symposiums in 1996 and was Tiger Woods’ original Legal Counsel.
Life’s circumstances have exposed Merchant to many opportunities where he has build bridges between the races, make history, and changed what is, to what ought to be, for over eight decades.
RELATED ARTICLE: A Journey Worth Taking
For more information on how to be involved with the Black College Golf Coaches’ Association contact Craig Bowen at cbowen1211@gmail.com
