On July 23, 2023, Wendell J. Haskins, Founder of the Original Tee Golf Classic and Consultant to TMRW Sports and TGL (Co-Founded by Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy), proudly announced that Major League Baseball World Champion Gary Sheffield was honored at this year’s event. Sheffield was recognized for his lifetime commitment to excellence in sports, historical achievements in Major League Baseball, and his advocacy for youth in golf.
Throughout his illustrious career, Sheffield played for various teams, including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Detroit Tigers. He held the distinction of being the first and only player in MLB history to record 100 RBIs in a season for five different teams and was an esteemed member of the 500 home run club.
Apart from his remarkable athleticism, Sheffield was an ardent champion of golf and a strong advocate for youth in sports. The 2023 Original Tee Golf Classic presented him with the True Original Award in recognition of his contributions.
From Left: Marcus Smith, Jr., Kendall Jackson (both Howard University), Amber Kuykendall (Texas Southern) and Mulbe Dillard (FAMU).
The 2023 Original Tee Golf Classic also saw the introduction of the Inaugural HBCU Elite Invitational, a tournament aimed at raising awareness, promoting diversity, and encouraging youth participation in golf. This event provided aspiring HBCU athletes with an opportunity to compete for a substantial purse.
Wendell J. Haskins, a proud graduate of Hampton University, understood the significance of inclusivity and advancement. Through this tournament, he sought to support golf programs for children of color, fostering a welcoming environment for youngsters to learn and excel in the game of golf.
Haskins is highly regarded for his golf expertise and has been sought after by entertainers and sports figures for his insights and guidance on “all things golf.” He also consults for ARCIS Golf and Live Nation’s Music Forward Foundation. Recently, he also provided his expertise to DJ Khaled for his inaugural “We The Best Foundation” golf tournament.
Haskins was instrumental in securing the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2014 for Charlie Sifford, the first African American to play on the PGA Tour and be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He also was the catalyst to have Lee Elder become the first African American honorary starter at the Masters alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player in 2021.
Currently, Haskins has spearheaded an effort to award the Presidential Medal to Renee Powell and her family. Renee’s father, Bill Powell, established and designed Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. The course is still the nation’s only African American-designed, owned, operated, and managed golf course. Haskins presented a contribution of $150,000 to support Renee Powell’s Clearview Legacy Foundation for Education, Preservation, and Research, raised from Friends of the OTGC.
The 24th Annual Original Tee Golf Classic, held at the Wild Turkey Crystal Springs Golf Resort in Hamburg, NJ, was a sold-out event. For more information about OTGC, please visit their website: https://originaltee.com or follow them on Instagram: @otgclassic.
