Held at the exclusive Wild Turkey Golf Club in Hamburg, N.J., on on Sunday, July 19, 2015 on one of six courses that make up the Crystal Springs Golf Resort, the Original Tee Golf Classic was a rousing success.
The prestigious outing was the 16th annual tournament hosted by its founder Wendell Haskins. Haskins also serves as the Director of Sports & Entertainment Relations at the PGA of America.
This year’s event honoree was none other than 12-time PGA Champion Lee Elder. A “True Original” in every sense of the word.
Above: 12-time PGA Champion Lee Elder
The outing recognized and celebrated Lee’s 40th anniversary as the first African American Golfer to play in the prestigious Master’s Golf Tournament, held every year in Augusta, Ga. The year was 1975. Lee qualified for the Master’s by winning the Monsanto Open in Milwaukee, Wis. on April 21st, 1974.
Above L-R: Anthony Stephny, Anthony G. Stepney (UMES DiversitiTee Golf & ProjectNext Tee) with Lee Elder, Beverly Johnson, Amari Avery
In his acceptance speech at the Original Tee event Mr. Elder reminded the enthusiastic audience that also that same year Baseball Legend Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, passing Babe Ruth on the all time home run list on April 8th, that same year. So the city of Milwaukee and the month of April, in 1974, was magical for two African American future Hall of Famers.
I had the pleasure to share some small talk with Lee’s lovely wife Sharon Elder. She was walking the golf course, following the foursome consisting of Lee Elder, super model Beverly Johnson, t.v. talk show host Roland Martin, and 11-year old golf phenom Amari “Tigress” Avery. Also please do yourself a favor and remember that name, Amari, because I’m certain you’re gonna hear it again. Amari has all the skills to become one of the great ones. The it factor, she got it: Temperament, Talent and Charisma–I’ll get back to Amari later.
Left: golf sisters Amari and Alona Avery.
As for Mrs. Sharon Elder, I found out that other than being a golf historian, and wife of Lee Elder, she’s a licensed pilot. Sharon says, she flew mostly 6-seater Beach Debonaire aircrafts in the 70’s and 80’s, primarily all over the west coast.She and Lee attended Michael Irving’s Celebrity Golf Classic held in Dallas, Tx. a few years ago, plus many other professional and celebrity outings. The Elder’s reside in Pompano Beach, Fla.
Above: Sharon Elder with reporter John Perry
Now back to little Miss Amari Avery. She’s from Riverside, Ca. Her father Andre got her involved in the game at the tender age of 3. Her first certified golf instructor was Kris Olsen. Her nickname is ” Tigress”, not really a surprise. She wears the name well, trust me.
Tiger himself can be very proud of her track record, too. She’s a two-time World Junior Amateur Champion, which is played every year at the famed Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. Around 1500 Junior golfers compete for the title annually.
She’s featured in a 90-minute long documentary sports movie called “The Short Game”. Directed by Josh Greenbaum in 2013. She’s played rounds with the late, great, Calvin Peete, t.v. celebrity LL Cool J and noted others. She has a younger sister, Alona Avery, 9-years old, who’s also a good junior golfer. Amari’s manager and advisor is Leland Hardy, a pretty good golfer in his own right. Amari’s lowest 18 hole score is 71.
Also on hand was former Golf Channel Host Iain Page, who now works at Fox’s Channel 29 in Philadelphia. Iain was accompanied by his wife (photo left) Veda Page and their “triplet” boys Khalid, Dillon, & Aidan Page.
The triplets are eleven-and-a-half years old. Khalid is the oldest by one and a half minute, making him the big brother, so to speak.
Veda says her favorite golf course which she’s played is famed Torrey Pines in San Diego, Ca. The boys also competed in the “Fresh Classic Junior Golf Tournament”. This was the first year for the event. It consisted of a 9-hole competition on the Crystal Springs Golf Course. Sister course to Wild Turkey. The Page family now reside in Cherry Hills, N. J. They previously lived in Florida and Houston, Tx. Iain says he loves living back on the East Coast in South Jersey, but admits he prefers spending his winters in Florida.
Above: Amari Avery shows her winning form off to Roland Martin
Another great story at the event I thought was one of Dianna Montague. CEO & founder of Iron Lady Enterprise Inc., Dianna was the first licensed black female Iron Worker Private Contractor in Philadelphia. She’s currently involved in the rebuilding of the Tapanzee Bridge in New York City. Some of her job tasks includes building ships, roads, rigging, welding, as well as bridges. Hats off to Dianna!
Photo left: Beverly Johnson
One other great experience was meeting event spectator Harry Thompson, President & CEO of Area Sport Development. Harry is a long time member of the National Minority Business Council (NMBC) located at 1633 Broadway & 50th Street in New York City.
He has been living in Paris, France for the last 30 years, although he’s currently working in Senegal, West Africa helping in the development of the country’s infrastructure. Kudos to Harry.
Well, let me just say, mark your calendars for the 2016 Original Tee golf Classic because it’s sure to be another fantastic tournament!
Related story: 16th Annual Original Tee Golf Classic
