Charlie Sifford, a legend in his own time, is again receiving honors that crown him as a true ambassador and champion of golf. Sifford, the first Black golfer to join the PGA Tour, is among the latest Americans tapped to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Barack Obama made this distinctive announcement on Monday.
The medal is given by the president and represents the country’s highest honor for a civilian. Obama will present the awards at a ceremony Nov. 24.
Sifford, 92, is the World Golf Ambassador for this publication and, has had a long journey of ‘firsts’ in the sport of golf. In receiving the honor he will join Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus as the only other golfers to be awarded the Medal of Freedom. As a golf legend, Sifford owns two career PGA Tour victories–and many argue that there could have been many more victories, but he was relegated to spend the best years of his playing career simply trying to play, as the PGA had a Caucasian-only clause kept him out of the major golf tours.
Sifford led the effort to have that clause rescinded in 1961, but he still faced ridicule and death threats. His book “Just Let Me Play” documents his trials, sorrows and ambitions to equalize the playing field in golf.
Courageous, and of strong wit, Sifford has never been a pushover. He’s used his golfing skills and inapt abilities to ignite his path in life. In 2004, he became the first Black golfer inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The historical event brought out thousands of supporters to the celebration and it brought unprecedented diversity into the hallowed halls of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
On Monday, following the announcement Tiger Woods tweeted congratulations to Sifford:
“You’re the grandpa I never had. Your past sacrifices allow me to play golf today. I’m so happy for you Charlie.”—Tiger Woods.
Others who will also receive the award are: performers Stevie Wonder and Meryl Streep, choreographer Alvin Ailey, musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim, former “NBC Nightly News” anchor Tom Brokaw, author Isabel Allende, scientist Mildred Dresselhaus, economist Robert Solow, and actress Marlo Thomas. Ailey, who died in 1989, will receive the medal posthumously.
“From scientists who kept America on the cutting edge to public servants who help write new chapters in our American story, these citizens have made extraordinary contributions to our country and the world,” Obama said in a statement from Beijing, where the president was traveling for an economic summit.
Past sports recipients of the award also include Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe, Ernie Banks, Earl Blaik, Paul Bryant, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Billie Jean King, Robert J.H. Kiphuth, Stan Musial, Buck O’Neil, Jesse Owens, Richard Petty, Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell, Dean Smith, Ted Williams and John Wooden.
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