Charles Ross Lightfoot, age 71, of Ozone Park, New York passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025. The news was confirmed by his daughter, Tiani Allen-Lightfoot.
Charles Ross Lightfoot, founder of the Brooklyn (NY) Junior Autistic Golfers Academy (BJAGA), passed away leaving behind a powerful legacy of advocacy, inclusion, and love for the game of golf. A pioneer in adaptive golf instruction, Charles was the heart behind BJAGA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to introducing golf to children on the autism spectrum and other underserved youth, including transgender and nonbinary children.
With more than 25 years of experience as a golf writer, trainer, and consultant, Charles developed a non-traditional teaching method that earned him widespread respect in the global golf community. As Founder and Director of the Advanced Lesson Academy of Golf in Brooklyn, he transformed lives by making golf fun, accessible, and empowering for young players of all abilities. His thoughtful instruction emphasized fundamentals such as full swing and short game techniques, chipping, pitching, pre-shot routines, and confidence-building drills—all delivered on real grass tees in a nurturing environment.
Charles’s contributions extended beyond the golf course. His work was recognized in 2014 when he was named Master Teaching Professional of the Year by the African American Golfer’s Digest. Since 2012, he served as a contributing writer, travel columnist, and blogger for the publication, sharing stories that elevated the voices of the Black golf community and promoted equity in the sport.
Known for his larger-than-life personality, generosity, and unwavering devotion to his students, Charles created safe and joyful spaces where children could thrive. His passion and commitment to giving back will live on in every young golfer who picked up a club through one of his programs.
“Charles Lightfoot will be dearly missed but never forgotten,” said African American Golfer’s Digest Publisher Debert Cook. “He was an individual whose legacy is that of helping others.” CLICK TO VIEW OBITUARY
Visitation for Charles was held Friday, April 25, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and religious ceremony occurred Friday, April 25, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at Werst & LaBella Funeral Home, 71-41 Cooper Ave, Glendale, NY 11385. A committal service took place on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at The Evergreens Cemetery, 1629 Bushwick Ave, New York, NY 11207.
