Page 491 – African American Golfer's Digest

Ryder Cup Points through the Honda Classic

by Debert Cook February 7, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Rank This week	First	Last	Rank Last week	2016 Cumulative POINTS
1	Jordan	SPIETH	1	6,646.464
2	Dustin	JOHNSON	2	3,110.782
3	Brandt	SNEDEKER	3	2,820.162
4	Rickie	FOWLER	6	2,658.857
5	Zach	JOHNSON	4	2,630.802
6	Bubba	WATSON	5	2,465.078
7	Phil	MICKELSON	7	2,417.637
8	Patrick	REED	8	1,612.234
9	Brooks	KOEPKA	9	1,601.007
10	J.B.	HOLMES	10	1,520.451
11	Kevin	KISNER	11	1,499.964
12	Jason	DUFNER	12	1,479.523
13	Vaughn	TAYLOR	13	1,260.000
14	Bill	HAAS	14	1,077.945
15	Kevin	NA	15	1,013.054
16	Matt	KUCHAR	16	946.989
17	Kevin	STREELMAN	17	895.400
18	Jimmy	WALKER	18	886.887
19	Billy	HORSCHEL	24	846.396
20	Gary	WOODLAND	19	842.206
21	Robert	STREB	20	813.479
22	Jim	FURYK	21	729.678
23	Ryan	MOORE	22	704.159
24	Jason	KOKRAK	23	692.467
25	Justin	THOMAS	45	650.137
26	Harris	ENGLISH	25	645.036
27	Webb	SIMPSON	26	639.616
28	Russell	HENLEY	27	555.890
29	John	HUH	34	554.737
30	Hunter	MAHAN	28	522.995
31	Ryan	PALMER	32	518.991
32	Ben	MARTIN	31	491.393
33	Tony	FINAU	29	491.229
34	Jamie	LOVEMARK	30	488.167
35	Charley	HOFFMAN	33	460.626
36	Andrew	LOUPE	40	451.796
37	Zac	BLAIR	35	445.363
38	Brendan	STEELE	41	438.842
39	Luke	LIST	50	414.367
40	Charles	HOWELL III	36	410.393
41	Blayne	BARBER	111	400.448
42	Brian	HARMAN	37	386.629
43	William	MCGIRT	65	383.454
44	Chez	REAVIE	38	375.209
45	Chris	KIRK	39	356.081
46	Keegan	BRADLEY	42	328.035
47	Morgan	HOFFMAN	46	302.713
48	Steve	STRICKER	43	302.397
49	Hudson	SWAFFORD	47	301.967
50	Boo	WEEKLEY	44	299.200
51	Smylie	KAUFMAN	51	289.523
52	Troy	MERRITT	48	286.835
53	Brendon	TODD	49	277.207
54	Colt	KNOST	59	272.921
55	Patton	KIZZIRE	61	264.779
56	James	HAHN	52	256.925
57	Will	WILCOX	56	255.800
58	Cameron	TRINGALE	53	254.014
59	Bryce	MOLDER	54	252.620
60	Jerry	KELLY	55	249.542
61	Stewart	CINK	63	246.275
62	Scott	PIERCY	57	236.769
63	Lucas	GLOVER	58	233.278
64	Daniel	SUMMERHAYS	64	228.818
65	Peter	MALNATI	60	227.321
66	Bronson	BURGOON	79	223.344
67	Scott	BROWN	98	218.190
68	Roberto	CASTRO	62	215.934
69	Sean	O’HAIR	86	206.307
70	Jon	CURRAN	66	193.885
71	Kyle	STANLEY	68	187.037
72	Derek	FATHAUER	73	180.777
73	Matt	EVERY	67	174.326
74	Tiger	WOODS	69	165.000
75	Ben	CRANE	70	163.137
76	Harold	VARNER III	71	155.139
77	Bud	CAULEY	72	154.017
78	Chesson	HADLEY	92	152.610
79	Mark	HUBBARD	77	146.413
80	Jim	HERMAN	74	140.940
81	Jason	GORE	75	136.911
82	J.J.	HENRY	76	136.903
83	Spencer	LEVIN	83	132.120
84	Chad	CAMPBELL	78	130.039
85	Jeff	OVERTON	100	129.816
86	Sam	SAUNDERS	118	129.233
87	Kevin	CHAPPELL	80	123.481
88	David	TOMS	81	120.950
89	Kyle	REIFERS	82	120.330
90	Brett	STEGMAIER	108	116.198
91	Mark	O’MEARA	84	114.915
92	Charlie	BELJAN	85	113.686
93	Ricky	BARNES	87	107.913
94	Scott	PINCKNEY	88	105.797
95	Davis	LOVE III	93	105.411
96	Justin	LEONARD	89	105.400
97	Erik	COMPTON	94	101.636
98	Tyler	ALDRIDGE	90	101.500
99	Pat	PEREZ	91	98.289
100	Daniel	BERGER	95	86.240
101	Patrick	RODGERS	96	85.057
102	Jason	BOHN	97	84.710
103	George	MCNEILL	101	79.291
104	Michael	THOMPSON	102	79.030
105	Michael	KIM	103	77.202
106	Shane	BERTSCH	99	66.802
107	Scott	STALLINGS	104	59.117
108	Robert	GARRIGUS	105	58.323
109	Nick	WATNEY	106	56.057
110	Steve	MARINO	107	52.875
111	D.A.	POINTS	109	50.664
112	Tom	HOGE	124	49.492
113	Troy	KELLY	110	47.854
T114	Kelly	KRAFT	112	46.450
T114	Rob	OPPENHEIM	112	46.450
116	Luke	GUTHRIE	114	45.615
117	Bo	VAN PELT	115	44.455
118	Chris	STROUD	116	42.946
119	Mark	WILSON	117	39.779
120	Will	MACKENZIE	130	29.715
121	Brian	GAY	119	29.390
122	David	DUVAL	120	29.227
123	Wes	ROACH	121	28.058
124	Dicky	PRIDE	122	27.404
125	Ken	DUKE	139	26.840
126	Steve	WHEATCROFT	136	25.694
127	Brad	ELDER	123	25.358
128	Andy	POPE	124	22.652
129	Martin	FLORES	126	22.000
130	Fred	FUNK	127	18.662
T131	Jonathan	BYRD	128	16.380
T131	Billy	HURLEY III	128	16.380
133	Chad	COLLINS	131	14.076
134	Shawn	STEFANI	132	13.881
T135	Tom	GILLIS	133	13.300
T135	Andrew	LANDRY	133	13.300
T135	John	ROLLINS	133	13.300
138	Derek	ERNST	136	11.832
139	Darron	STILES	139	11.468
140	Justin	HICKS	139	11.346
141	Scott	LANGLEY	138	10.300

S. Ryder Cup Qualifications (Captain Davis Love III)

The United States points system will be determined as follows:

Eight of the 12 members of the U.S. Team will be named on points earned following the conclusion of The Barclays, which is scheduled to conclude Sunday Aug. 28, 2016. This new timetable gives two additional weeks for players to earn Ryder Cup qualifying points.
Captain’s Picks – Three of the four Captain’s Picks will be announced after the conclusion of the BMW Championship, which is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. The final Captain’s pick will take place Sunday evening after the TOUR Championship, Sept. 25, 2016.

Points are based upon the following:

All U.S. players will earn points based upon the following criteria starting in 2015 and concluding Aug. 28, 2016:

2015 Major Championships – The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship (1 Point per $1,000 earned).
2015 WGC Events – WGC Cadillac Championship, WGC Match Play Championship, WGC Bridgestone Invitational, WGC HSBC Champions and The Players Championship (1 Point per $2,000 earned).
2016 Regular PGA TOUR Events – beginning Jan. 1, 2016, through and including the Barclays on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016 (1 point per $1,000 earned).
2016 Opposite Field PGA TOUR Events will not receive any points.
2016 Major Championships (2 points per $1,000 earned)

European Ryder Cup Qualifications (Captain Darren Clarke)

The European Team to compete in the 2016 Ryder Cup shall comprise of the following Members:

(a) The leading four Members¹ on The Ryder Cup European Points List (1) on Sunday 28th August 2016, (or as at the conclusion of the Race to Dubai Tournament scheduled to conclude on that date, whichever is the latter). In the event of a tie between Members (i.e. a number of Members having accumulated an equal number of points), placings will be decided by the Member1 with the higher ranking on the 2016 Race to Dubai Rankings on Sunday 28th August 2016, (or as at the conclusion of the Race to Dubai Tournament scheduled to conclude on that date, whichever is the latter);

(b) The leading five Members¹ , not otherwise qualified under paragraph (a) above, on The Ryder Cup World Points List (2) on Sunday 28th August 2016, (or as at the conclusion of the Race to Dubai Tournament scheduled to conclude on that date, whichever is the latter). In the event of a tie between Members (i.e. a number of Members having accumulated an equal number of points), placings will be decided by the Member¹ with the higher ranking on the Official World Golf Ranking as published on Monday 22nd August 2016; and

(c) The Captain, Darren Clarke, will choose (at his own discretion) the remaining three Members¹ in the week commencing Monday 29th August 2016.

(1) The Ryder Cup European Points List will comprise points (1 point = 1 Euro of Official Money) earned by a Member¹ from all Race to Dubai Tournaments in which he Participates that are scheduled to conclude between Thursday 3rd September 2015 and Sunday 28th August 2016. (Money earned by a Member from the 2015 Race to Dubai Bonus Pool (unofficial) does not count towards this points list).

(2) The Ryder Cup World Points List will comprise Official World Golf Ranking Points won by a Member¹ from all OWGR tournaments in which he Participates, (unless otherwise stated below) that are scheduled to conclude as follows: –

(i) Between Thursday 3rd September 2015 and Sunday 7th August 2016.

(ii) On Sunday 21st August 2016.

(iii) ONLY from the Race to Dubai Tournament on Sunday 28th August 2016.

Official World Golf Ranking Points are allocated to all officially sanctioned tournaments (on any Federated Tour) by the Official World Golf Ranking and are allocated according to the Event Rating of the tournament.

Click here for European Ryder Cup Team Points

February 7, 2015 0 comment

Hotel Reviews

Negril Treehouse Resort

by Debert Cook February 6, 2015

written by Debert Cook

It just feels like home at this immaculate seaside resort located in Negril, Jamaica. Built in 1970, the continuous upgrades have kept pace with the changing times and every convenience vacationers seek is here. Gail Biggs Jackson_2_400 Owner, Gail Jackson (pictured left), is a charming and delightful hostess.

The former GE Sales Engineer and University of Pittsburgh graduate is successful in many areas of her live, yet, has not missed one exquisite detail in satisfying her resort guests. In the more than 31-years that she’s owned, operated and managed the property, she has only gotten better at doing what she loves. And it shows. Her brillant smile and chipper laugh is infectious. She never meets a stranger and can talk fluently about everything from local fish delicacies that her resort serves, to the latest in casual wear and stylish natural hair designs.

Mornings, you may find her overseeing various departments of the resort: confirming menu items with her restaurant manager, double-checking VIP reservations and transportation pick-ups from Montego, Bay, creating holiday promotions and sales incentives, and more. Jackson is full of energy and, is definitely a type “A” personality. This trait works very nicely to keep on top of her schedule while accommodating the hundreds of international guests who visit the resort annually.

Negril Treehouse reception As soon as you enter the spacious reception area to check-in for your stay, you’ll notice the serene ambiance that radiates throughout the property. And it is backed by an attentive, well-trained staff whose always at your beckon call. The sound of Jamaica’s endemic tropical birds: doves, parrots and cuckoos, along with waves gently crashing in the background, will quickly put you at ease and in vacation mode!

Jackson’s keen sense of perfection and excellent taste in decorating–both the hard and soft goods– keeps the resort beautifully furnished with lovely furnishings and island-styled linens and draperies. Resort amenities include: free self-parking, porter/bellhop, outdoor pool, spa tub, room service, onsite gift shop, newsstand, beach bar, a bountifully supplied restaurant and free Wi-Fi.

There is prime access to dozens of nearby beach shops, eateries, hair salons, massage stations with plenty of great options for late night dinners and entertainment. Local attractions include Booby Cay, Negril Hills Golf Club, Times Square Mall, Kool Runnings Water Park, and Throne Room.

Check-in time starts at 2 PM. Check-out is noon. The resort also accommodates special or accessibility needs. 70 beautifully decorated, well equipped rooms span two floors of the resort for spectacular garden and sea views, balcony/patio and daily housekeeping.

Guests rest comfortably with air conditioning, in-room safes, telephones and televisions. Ironing boards and hair dryers are available on request. Negril Treehouse breakfast All guests are offered a complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast—a real ‘down home’ kind a’ spread offering local Caribbean delicacies and traditional American fare.

At this resort you can be as busy (or lazy) as you wish with swimming, beach volleyball, snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, para-sailing and boat tours all conveniently nearby.

Tours can be arranged to different parts of the island such as Y.S. Falls, Black River Safari and Dunns Falls at the front desk located in the lobby.

With 4.1 stars out of 5 (on Expedia) the resort stays busy welcoming guests from all over the world. Winter rates/Dec. 20-April 1: $160 garden view (1-2 people) to $350, two bedroom suite (sleeps up to 6 people). But check online to find some terrific value specials that the resort frequently runs on travel and couponing sites.
[kento-splash-screen]
Negril Treehouse-2 When it’s time to check-out, you’ll want to extend your stay! Negril Treehouse Resort Norman Manley Boulevard Negril, Jamaica Toll Free: 1-888-790-5264
Email NegrilTreehouse.com
Facebook

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”8″ gal_title=”Negril Treehouse Resort”]

Debert Cook is a travel writer and avid golfer based in New York City.

February 6, 2015 0 comment

Golf Tips

The Fist Grip by Charles Calhoun

by Debert Cook February 6, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Knuckles align the hands to match one another as you create a version of a FIST around the grip.

You are swinging your fist in the golf swing and not your hands.

There is a difference–and how the body reacts to that difference.

So develop your FIST-EYE COORDINATION for a great grip, and the FIST will create a consistent feel and pressures required to swing the golf club. If you focus your mind on your fist, your brain is going to allow your body to act accordingly. Funny how the brain will make the body work, through simple use of words like “GO” for you to simply move.

As shown in the illustration, the lines demonstrate how the knuckles of the hand naturally align themselves when a fist is created to form the golf grip.

ABOUT CHARLES CALHOUN
Charles Calhoun, AKA the ShadeTree Pro, is a golf and teaching instruction and former contestant on the original series of The Golf Channel’s “The Big Break.” He is author of “The Shadetree Pro” and resides in Orlando, Fla.
Follow him on Twitter.

February 6, 2015 0 comment

Profiles

Malachi Knowles: Champion For Change – African Americans Creating A Healthier World Through Sports

by Debert Cook February 6, 2015

written by Debert Cook

“I started Inner-City Youth Golfers, Inc. in the year 2000, says Malachi Knowles, Founder. “I figured, “Hey, look. Let me just give back to the community through a sport that I really love that was in my blood. Golf is the only sport that one playing the game calls a penalty on his or herself. And so the bottom line for me was: you start dealing with courageousness, honesty, perseverance, timeliness and all those characters relate to the game of golf.”

Knowles has Has worked with more than 15,000 kids since it started in 2000.

“Our signature program became, ‘Say no to drugs; say yes to education, culture and golf.’ Children of today need to understand that they must dress well, have their manners in check, be courageous; but they must also have perspective. We hope through the game of golf that we can keep them out of trouble. Our kids don’t need to be in jail. Our kids need to be playing golf.”

“Our kids need to play a sport, be healthy. Our kids need to be happy. I believe our contributions through golf have saved many lives, and I know that today, we have kept a lot of kids off of drugs.”

Malachi Knowles
Founder
Inner City Youth Golfers’, Inc.
Palm Beach, FL
“We show these kids that there are GOOD THINGS TO DO in life like PLAYING GOLF.”

Champions for change African Americans creating a healthier world through sports is presented by Aetna.
View the full 2015 Champions for Change Calendar HERE

February 6, 2015 0 comment

Profiles

Will Lowery, Man On A Mission

by Debert Cook February 6, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Will Lowery is on a 5-year track which he hopes will successfully lead to his ultimate goal of playing on the PGA Tour. In an opportunity of a lifetime, Lowery was selected as a cast member on Big Break Indian Wells that aired on the Golf Channel during 2011.

Season 15 derived its name from it being taped (in January 2011) at Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, Calif. Competitors began the series with $5,000. The objective was to knock everyone else out and take their money. The prize: A minimum of $55,000 (it’s winner-take-all), plus an exemption into a 2012 PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Lowery played strong and hard–put his heart into his game, but was eliminated in Episode 9. In the final outcome: Winner David Byrne defeated Kent Eger in the championship match.

The series was a professional highlight of Lowery’s golfing career and likely to remain a part of his legacy. However, Lowery’s journey to play golf professionally was not the straight and narrow course that many competitors experience. Growing up in an urban Charlotte, N.C., community, he admits to starting out with the “wrong crowd,” and “initially going down the wrong path.” At the age of five, his father put a golf club in his hand as a way to teach him life lessons. Will had no idea of its value at the time.

As he grew older, he knew he had to do something positive in his life, and he focused on sports as a positive outlet.

“Growing up in the inner city, it was all about survival and looking out for one another,” said Will, age 26. “I saw the road that a lot of my friends were going down, and I chose to take a different path. I wanted to make something of myself. Make my family proud. Tennis, and later golf, were the outlets that allowed me to do that,” says the Christian, Liberal, who sports beautiful dreads he has been growing for years.

Will excelled in competitive tennis during his teenage years. Golf was merely in the background until his senior year, when he started playing regularly and consistently beat more advanced players, all the while playing with a unique reverse grip swing style that has become his signature.

Will Lowery_450 “My father taught me how to swing the golf club and I chose to keep the cross-handed grip because it felt natural, said Will. “It was a result of all of my years playing tennis. I guess you can say that I’m playing golf by hitting backhand shots.”

After high school, Lowery focused full-time on golf. He also discovered a new passion, the desire to give back to others. Under the tutelage of chapter director, Vince King, he volunteers at The First Tee of Charlotte – teaching life lessons and core values on and off the golf course to youth of similar backgrounds and frequents his home course, Northstone Country Club.

“The First Tee has been such a rewarding experience for me,” said Will. “When I hear these kids say they want to be successful in life, it drives me to be the example they seek.

Will, a mortgage specialist by trade, believes that as a professional golfer he has what it takes to compete on the PGA TOUR. The opportunities, he says, just have not presented themselves.

February 6, 2015 0 comment

Profiles

Montrele Wells: Road to The Tour

by Debert Cook February 6, 2015

written by Debert Cook

At age 32, professional golfer Montrele Wells is banking on his golfing skills for a long, satisfying sports career. “Golf is my life,” he says, after returning from the PGA Tour’s Latin America Q-School. The PGA Tour Latinoamérica is a third level professional golf tour formed in 2012 and operated by the PGA Tour.

For 2015, three Q-Schools were held, in three different countries, allowing Wells– as well as more players– an opportunity to join in PGA TOUR Latinoamérica’s success. Players had their chance to lock up one of the exempt cards up for grabs at each site: Sun ‘N Lake Golf and Country Club in Sebring, Florida played host in the U.S. for the third year in a row (January 20-23). Following were two concurrent sites played, allowing for some players to compete closer to home (January 27-30): The La Planicie Country Club, in Lima, Peru and Hurlingham Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At all three sites the top finisher received fully exempt status for the entire 2015 season. The remaining spots are determined based on each field’s composition and be subject to areshuffle. Conditional status was awarded to those who finished within the top 30 and ties.

Wells made the tight January 5th deadline for players to apply and began making his travel arrangements.

Why did he decide to enter and attend Q-School there?
“I’d never been before and, wanted to test my game— in hopes of taking advantage of another avenue that the PGA Tour has created—for golfers to develop and make it to the Tour,” says Wells. “Unfortunately, I had some wrist issues from prior surgery and fought through the week just to finish.” And he did not give up. The fields consist of a maximum 144 players, with the top fifty plus ties making the cut.

Wells paid for Q-School himself, using funds from his 2014 mini-tour winnings. He also ran a grass roots campaign by simply asking people he knew for $25 in person, by phone, by email, and on Facebook. “I was able to come up with the money through the support of my wife, great family and church members, and friends who want to to see me succeed,” says Wells who used the much-needed money to cover travel, equipment and meal expenses. Players who make the cut will be part of the Tour’s 2015 schedule that includes 18 official events and one unofficial event spanning 13 countries. Purse levels are rising to $175,000 per event with the Tour Championship featuring a $200,000 purse. The Tour opens its fourth season March 16th with the Colombian Open in Bogota, Colombia followed by the Mazatlan Open at Estrella del Mar in Mazatlan, Mexico on March 23rd.

In the end, he selected the Tour’s Q-School located in Peru, “because the Florida site filled up within just the first few hours and Peru was cheaper than Argentina,” says an ambitious Wells whose total cost to attend and participate ended up at $3,850.00 (entry fee $1,850 + other expenses $2,000).

Photo: A few of the Q-School contestants (l-r) Montrele Wells, Galen Aldrich, Chuck Wyatt (Cuban), Will Lowery (former Big Break player on The Golf Channel), Nick Wade, Wesley Yates. None of them made the cut. Results: “-14 won it, +1 received conditional status on the PGA Latino America Tour which was the top 31 and ties. I shot 77,78,81,82.”

Wells was indeed disappointed with his results, but says, “It only made me MORE hungry,” and that the experience was “amazing and taught me so much.”

Determined to succeed, The talented player plans to be much more prepared next year, and ‘prayerfully’, injury free. An upbeat athlete with a passion for following his dream, Wells plans to play at least 20 events on the mini tours during 2015, and, go full-time professional. He usualy plays only in six events annually–while working 40+ hours as the Logistics Supervisor for Delta Cargo– but now plans to slide some Monday qualifiers into his schedule. Sine he also volunteers as an instructor/coach at the First Tee Jacksonville (Fla.) it’s going to be quite a balancing act and require a tremendous amount of discipline but, Wells is confident that he can do it.

“I really hope that some of the wealthier people in the world will see the passion, desire, and determination of myself, and others who are trying to make it in golf. I hope some of these people get behind us financially so, we can diversify this great game. The game that Mr. Sifford, may he RIP, fought so hard to make available for us to compete in, at the highest level.” Montrele Wells can be reached on Facebook.

February 6, 2015 0 comment

Videos

James Black: In The Zone

by Debert Cook February 5, 2015

written by Debert Cook

by Shawn Yonker

By all rights, James Black could be bitter.

Born May 25, 1942, in Charlotte, North Carolina — more than six years before Bill Spiller first began challenging the Caucasians-only clause in the PGA Constitution and 19 years before it would finally be removed — Black insists he’s been blessed.

“I was a blessed child from birth to have a mother and father in my home that was teaching me the core values and way of life,” he said. “I took that type of learning all the way to the PGA golf tour. I had help. I had shoulders to lean on. I had heroes from my home, through the school system and all the way through life. My heroes: my mother, my father, Jackie Robinson, Art Shell, Joe Louis — these people were my heroes.

“I understood the importance of success at an early age. My race of people didn’t have a lot when it come to economics, but they had a lot when it came to love.”

I had the chance to spend a good part of the day Wednesday with James at the annual Art Shell Celebrity Golf Tournament, hosted as a fundraiser byUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore at Great Hope Golf Course.

At 72, he still has a sweet golf swing, even though he doesn’t play that much any more. Some things your body just doesn’t forget, no matter how uncooperative it becomes with age.

Black has been involved with the event for almost a decade, and on Wednesday was planted at the par-3 No. 7 for the “Beat the Pro” hole. It’s a familiar spot for the golf trailblazer, who was quickly recognized by many of the event’s participants from previous years. He traded pleasantries and barbs and uses the opportunity to drum up some more cash in donations for the school’s PGA Golf Management program.

He usually managed to talk players (and celebrities) out of around $2,000 to $2,500, and this year’s hustling included collecting signatures from those celebrity participants on a single sheet to be auctioned off at the event’s dinner.

Traditionally, he would tee off against each group of hopefuls looking for bragging rights against the former professional. During Wednesday’s round, his plan was to give players the chance to play his shot rather than their own, to speed things up for a round that saw the start delayed because of showers.

But a funny thing happened during the first group at No. 7. He holed out off the tee. It was the 33rd hole-in-one of his career, and he said 12 of those came in competition. So for the rest of the day he left his ball in the hole and everyone carded a one on No. 7 whether they reached in their wallets for additional donations or not.

“That was a damn fine golf shot I hit this morning,” he said later while seeing mixed results off the tee for the rest of the day.

Of course, for him, mixed results meant a bad shot put him a little farther from the flag than he liked as he choked up on a six iron and effortlessly dropped shots at the green 140 yards away most of the day.

“The club head is in nine or more positions in a microsecond, so no human knows where it is at,” he said. “All I’m doing is fundamentals. There is no practice.”

He stopped playing full rounds of golf long ago. He only picks up a club on occasions like this or at clinics.

Sure, he said by Thursday he was going to be pretty sore and he may not even pick up a club again for a couple of months or so, but watching that 72-year-old swing a club, it was easy to see what he may have been like as a professional.

He’s often been referred to as a child prodigy or a self-taught golfer, who burst on the scene as an unknown caddie in 1964, when he shot a 67 to lead the Los Angeles Open after the first round. He was just 21 years old and eventually would finish the event in ninth place.

But his introduction to golf came about a decade earlier, when his family lived near a golf course.

Injured, Tiger Woods Withdraws From Farmers

by Debert Cook February 5, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the Farmers Insurance Open after suffering an injury.

It makes for the third time, in his past nine tournaments, that Woods has pulled himself from play.

The former World Number One did manage to make it to the green on his 12th hole Thursday at Torrey Pines North course. But, that’s as far as he got in the first round.

Just last weekend, Woods was seemingly ready to be a part of the Farmers tournament, saying that he had no back issues, and that he was going to be back competing. However, early in the round there were signs of distress on his face, seemingly, resulting from pain in his lower back.

A lengthy delay in the round pushed back his start time by more than two hours, and Woods later placed this to blame.

After 11 holes, Woods tolerance was a full load and he was seen exiting on a golf cart.

“It just never loosened back up again,” Woods said during a 90-second session with the media before getting into his courtesy cart. “And when we went back out, it just got progressively tighter.”

Woods, disappointed, bogeyed two of his first three holes. He made a birdie at the 16^th (his seventh), and made another at holes one, and ten. This managed to put him back to even par for the round.

Unfortunately, it would not last, as he followed-up with several poor shots at the par-4 second, along with two poorly hit pitch shots. It was a badly placed chip shot that earned him a double bogey. It was here, after finally getting onto the green at the par-3 third, his 12th, Woods decided to withdraw,. He gracefully shook hands with his fellow competitors Billy Horschel and Rickie Fowler.

tiger woods withdraws-2 “It’s frustrating that it started shutting down like that,” Woods said. “I was ready to go. I had a good warm-up session the first time around. Then we stood out here and I got cold, and everything started deactivating again. And it’s frustrating that I just can’t stay activated. That’s just kind of the way it is.”

This incident makes for the sixth time overall that Woods has withdrawn from a tournament due to injury, out of all of of his 304 PGA Tour starts, but all of the withdrawals have occurred since 2010. In 2014, Woods withdrew during the final round of the Honda Classic because of back problems, and then, just a few weeks later he had surgery to repair a disk in his lower back. From 1992-2010, Woods rarely withdrew from PGA Tour events. Perhaps age is a strong factor, and is catching up with him. It’s been a long road and we all know how age can impact the healing process.

February 5, 2015 0 comment

News

A Celebration of Life For Dr. Charlie Sifford

by Debert Cook February 5, 2015

written by Debert Cook

CLEVELAND, OH
Calling Hours:

Sunday, February 8^th 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Monday, February 9^th 10:00am – 6:00pm

Location:
E.F. Boyd & Sons Funeral Home
2165 East 89th Street
Cleveland, OH 44106
Telephone: (216) 791-0770
www.efboyd.com

Funeral Services
Tuesday, February 10^th 12:00pm Wake
Tuesday, February 10^th 1:00pm Service

Location:
Church of the Saviour United Methodist
2537 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Telephone: (216) 321-8880
www.Chsaviour.org

CHARLOTTE, NC

Calling Hours:
Thursday, February 12th 10:00am – 5:30 pm

Location:
Grier Funeral Home
115 John McCarroll Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28216
Telephone: (704) 635-6215
GrierFuneralService.com

Funeral Services
Friday, February 13^th 12:00pm Wake
Friday, February 13th 1:00pm Service
Burial Following Service, Church Cemetery

Location:
Moore’s Sanctuary AME Zion Church
4101 Morris Field Drive
Charlotte, NC 28208
Telephone: (704) 392-3037
MooresSanctuaryAMEzion.org

Related Story: Read the Official Statement from the African American Golfer’s Digest

Related Story: Charlie Sifford Obituary

February 5, 2015 0 comment

News Obituaries

African American Golfer’s Digest Official Statement on the Death of Hall Of Famer Charlie Sifford

by Debert Cook February 5, 2015

written by Debert Cook

February 3, 2015

(New York, NY) – The African American Golfer’s Digest releases the following statement on the death of 92-year-old Charles L. Sifford.

From Debert Cook, Publisher & CEO, African American Golfer’s Digest:

“Our prayers and condolences go out to the family of 92-year-old Charlie Sifford, our good friend, World Golf Ambassador, and a true legend in the sport of golf. The death of this great icon, who broke the PGA Tour’s color barrier to become the first Black PGA Tour member, has saddened our hearts.

It is with much remorse that I share our beloved loss of this proud man who, during his prime playing days as a career athlete, endured racial abuse, threats and disenfranchisement in the game that he loved so much. We all have benefited from his courageous battles on, and off, the playing field. As we celebrate his great life accomplishments and successes, we are especially glad to have witnessed in his lifetime his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, as the first African American in 2004. And, most recently, his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President Barack Obama in 2014.

It was Charlie’s love of golf and his fight for equality in the game that over the years, inspired generations of diverse participation and change. We are proud to have been the first publication ever to feature him on a magazine cover in 2004. “That’s a handsome looking gentleman you have there on the cover,” he called to say.

Despite the many roadblocks Charlie faced in his earlier years, he continued to break them down, winning twice on the Tour. His resilience is passed on to us and we pray for the strength to carry his torch of commitment and excellence. On behalf of my entire team, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with his family, his many friends and, his fans.

Charlie Sifford’s Celebration of Life Memorial Services Schedule

February 5, 2015 0 comment

News

Golf Has $8.2-Billion Economic Impact in Florida

by Debert Cook February 5, 2015

written by Debert Cook

According to Golf 20/20, golf’s direct economic impact in the state of Florida grew to $8.2 billion in 2013, up from $7.5 billion in 2007. The report showed that golf’s economic impact is greater than other main industries in the state such as amusement and theme parks ($5.4 billion) and medical equipment and supplies manufacturing ($6.5 billion). In addition, the golf industry in Florida supports 132,532 jobs and $3.6 billion in wages. Florida also boasts the most golf courses of any U.S. state at 1,103. “Golf brings thousands of visitors to Florida each year, spurs new residential construction and creates demand for myriad goods and services,” said Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, which administers Golf 20/20.

February 5, 2015 0 comment

News

“African Ancestry Radio” Being Launched By Sirius XM Holdings Inc.: SiriusXM

by Debert Cook February 5, 2015

written by Debert Cook

Hosted by Gina Paige, co-founder of African Ancestry, and award-winning producer Shirley Neal, “African Ancestry Radio” will launch live on Sunday, February 8 at 12:00 pm ET on SiriusXM Urban View channel 126 with Louis Gossett Jr. and Aunjanue Ellis as their first celebrity guests.

Launched in celebration of Black History Month, the show will feature the hosts leading the conversation on heritage and guiding SiriusXM listeners of African descent looking to more accurately and reliably trace their roots. In addition, “African Ancestry Radio” will feature discussions on how a person’s roots influence personality, who they are and how they act. Each show will include at least one celebrity guest who has previously taken the tests and whose African ancestry will be revealed during the broadcast.

“‘African Ancestry Radio’ promises to be enlightening, empowering, and inspirational for SiriusXM listeners across the country,” said Dave Gorab, Vice President and General Manager, Talk Programming, SiriusXM. “We are pleased to present this exclusive series as part of our special programming commemorating Black History Month.” After the broadcast, “African Ancestry Radio” will be available on SiriusXM On Demand for subscribers listening via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices or online at siriusxm.com. Visit www.siriusxm.com/ondemand for more information.

“This new and exciting radio show is sure to inspire many Black Americans to conduct their own personal heritage search though the test that is provided by African Ancestry. In 2011, I was pleased to discover, through the help of African Ancestry, that my DNA traces my paternal family lineage back to the Ewondo people of Cameroon and the Tsogo people of Gabon.”

(photo: Debert Cook with neighborhood youth, Dakar, Senegal)

“This knowledge was tremendously enlightening, and, could never have been gained by me and my family without the help of African Ancestry. The test was easy to order, and when it arrived, the instructions were very easy to follow and quick to conduct. The results arrived in my mailbox within just a few weeks. This information about my heritage is something that I was always curious about, and now, I am planning for my first visit to Cameroon and Gabon,” said Debert Cook, publisher of the African American Golfer’s Digest, who has already visited 7 African countries. In 2014, Cook also utilized African Ancestry’s My DNA Mix, an admixture test that determines the various ancestries in your genetic family tree and providing a percentage breakdown of continental areas. “My DNA Mix confirmed me to being 70% Sub-Saharan African, 26% European and 4% Indigenous American,” says Cook.

Gina Paige is co-founder of African Ancestry, Inc., pioneering a new way of tracing African lineage using genetics. Paige resides in Washington, D.C. and holds a degree in Economics from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

Shirley Neal is an Emmy-Award winning television and film producer whose programming has aired on major broadcast and cable television outlets. She currently helms her own production company, Park Hill Entertainment. SiriusXM Urban View features conversation, information, inspiration, empowerment, motivation and companionship from the African American perspective.

Founded in 2003, African Ancestry Inc. pioneered genetics ancestry tracing for people of African descent across the world demystifying African roots for more than 100,000 people including icons such as The King Family, Oprah Winfrey, Isaiah Washington, Condoleezza Rice, Nas, Samuel L. Jackson and Andrew Young. It was featured in the ground-breaking PBS specials African American Lives and Finding Your Roots with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

For more information on SiriusXM, please visit www.siriusxm.com. For more information on African Ancestry, visit www.africanancestry.com.

About SiriusXM Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) is the world’s largest radio broadcaster measured by revenue and has 27.3 million subscribers. SiriusXM creates and broadcasts commercial-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; exclusive talk and entertainment; and the most comprehensive Latin music, sports and talk programming in radio.

SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company in the U.S. and from retailers nationwide as well as at shop.siriusxm.com. SiriusXM programming is available through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at siriusxm.com. SiriusXM also provides premium traffic, weather, data and information services for subscribers in cars, trucks, RVs, boats and aircraft through SiriusXM Traffic™, SiriusXM Travel Link, NavTraffic®, NavWeather™, SiriusXM Aviation, SiriusXM Marine™, Sirius Marine Weather, XMWX Aviation™, and XMWX Marine™. SiriusXM holds a minority interest in SiriusXM Canada which has more than 2 million subscribers. SiriusXM is also a leading provider of connected vehicles services to major automotive manufacturers, giving customers access to a suite of safety, security, and convenience services including automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery assistance, enhanced roadside assistance and turn-by-turn navigation.

February 5, 2015 0 comment

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