Home News Dateline- Dallas History Being Made at Cedar Crest

Dateline- Dallas History Being Made at Cedar Crest

by James Beatty
The  2024 All Star Contestants at the fabulous dinner held at the Beeman Hotel

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 settingCedar 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.

Ira-Moloyo, Executive Director, Cedar Crest Golf Course
Ira Molayo, PGA, General Manager/Director of Golf, 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:
JimBeattyAfrican American Golfer’s Digest/ JBGV
JennyBethuneTee Divas & Dudes
MichaelCooperUSGA
RussCrockettSifford Scholars
HeatherDaly DonofrioUSGA
KennethDuncanRenegade Golf
LaJeanGouldWomen in Golf Foundation
WillLoweryUnderrated/Cross Hand Pro
MarkLowryNGPDF
IraMolayoCedar Crest GC
AshleyNicksPro Duffers Dallas
SamPuryearHoward University
KenyattaRamseyPGA TOUR
Charles Jr.SiffordSifford Scholars
KennieSimsPGA of America
LeonardSmootMiles College
RogerSteeleHipe Media
AdrianStillsAPGA board & co-founder
ChuckWalkerI Am A Golfer
RyanWilsonFirst Tee Central Carolina
JerryWoodardPro Duffers Dallas
SommerWoodsJohn Shippen Invitational
GusVitalParent of two elite players
BeccaBaileyPGA of America
SolomonHughes                           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.

Houston native Zoe Slaughter formerly of Texas A & M and Greg Oden 2023 Southwest Champion from Howard University addresses the Sifford Symposium. They shared their goLf Journey with the group.

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
Chuck Walker, Executive Director, I AM A Golfer Foundation

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)

This stunning reception setup at the Beeman Hotel warmly welcomes the players.

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

Author

  • Jim is President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures, organizer of the African American Golf Expo & Forum, and he serves as the Executive Editor of the African American Golfer's Digest. He is also Chair of the We Are Golf Recreational Play Subcommittee on the World Golf Foundation Diversity Task Force. As President of NCS International, an economic development and site selection firm, Jim has been recognized as one of the top 20 Economic Development Professionals in the United States. He has also been honored as a "Golf Pioneer" by the Global Golf Institute and has served on the boards of the Nike Tour and Hogan's Junior Golf Heroes now the First Tee of Omaha. He is a former Board Member of the National YMCA.

You may also like

Stay in the loop!