This holiday season, golfers and gift-givers alike can enjoy free personalization on Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, the best performing, most trusted golf balls in the game.
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The #1 ball in golf is also the #1 gift in golf, especially when it comes with a personal touch.
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Orders can be placed by visiting any authorized Titleist golf shop. For custom individual and double-digit play numbers, an additional charge may apply.
Those were the words from President Barack Obama, as he delivered the introductory speech for Dr. Charlie Sifford. Moments later he graciously placed the Presidential Medal of Freedom around the neck of this legend and shook his hand. The ceremony took place at the White House on Monday afternoon, November 24, 2014.
Photo left: Michael Cooper, Ph.D. shares a moment with Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Charlie Sifford.
Immediately following the ceremony I attended an “after party” down the street from the White House on Capitol Hill. The after party was hosted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), the lone historically black college/university sanctioned with the professional golf management (PGM) curriculum. Approximately 150 people participated, and there were loud cheers and applause when the Sifford family arrived.
A ROOM FILLED WITH CELEBRATION
Dr. Juliette Bell, President of UMES, welcomed all to the festive occasion. The Honorable James E. Clyburn spoke next, and explained his passion and commitment to advocating for Dr. Sifford at the highest level. I have no doubt that the occasion would not have happened without his leadership.
It was also apparent that the award would not have happened without the help of the PGA of America. Wendell Haskins, Senior Director of Diversity for the PGA contributed mightily, as did Earnie Ellison, Renee Powell, and Susan Wasser with the USGA. All were in attendance. Other notables included Scott Walker with the Golf Channel, legendary black golfer James Black, Rose Harper, Debert Cook, Kennie Sims, and Anthony Stepney, both PGA members.
UMES took the opportunity to showcase and introduce a collection of bright, young talented students currently enrolled in their PGM program. We learned that approximately 20 schools carry the PGM program, and UMES has more minority students participating than all the other schools combined. Led by Kimberly Dumpson, with help from Stepney, the school and program should be a major contributor to the golf industry going forward.
Let me get back to Charlie Sifford. I grew up in Chicago, IL. Southside! I was fortunate to get exposed to golf by my father. At that time, black golfers on the southside of Chicago either played Jackson Park GC or Pipe O’ Peace. I played both, but Pipe O’ Peace GC was home. Bobby Milton was the head pro. Mr. Milton was a former Harlem Globetrotter, and he had an incredible network of friends, dignitaries, and celebrities.
Bobby Milton had a habit of showing me off to others. For example, he once arranged a nine-hole match with me, him, Althea Gibson and Billy Eckstine. Another time, a nine-hole exhibition with me and Lee Elder. Years later, as I grew older, I realized it was out of pride. At that time, my fundamentals were solid, and I could score in the mid 70’s on a regular basis. I was a good student in school, too, so in my community, I represented hope for the future.
Our golf course was also known throughout America, and most black golfers would gravitate to Pipe O’ Peace whenever they traveled through Chicago. One could always find a game there, a friendly wager, or simply enjoy the camaraderie and entertainment that followed black golf in that era. It was there that I first met Charlie Sifford.
I probably was around 15 years old and serious about my golf game. Dad exposed me to the best teachers we could find. Cliff Brown, a former PGA Tour player, was my mentor and main instructor. Our golf course did not have a driving range, but we had an area alongside hole number 14 that we used to shag balls. One afternoon as I hit balls I turned to see Bobby Milton and Charlie Sifford approaching. I knew Mr. Sifford from television. I also had heard his life story hundreds of times from Cliff and other adults.
We didn’t have Golf Channel back then, but golf was still televised on most weekends. I admired golf champions like Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, etc, but my real heroes were Cliff, Pete Brown, the Thorpe brothers, James Black, and a host of others who came through Pipe O’ Peace each summer. In short, my heroes and role models were the golfers of color who I had close, personal relationships with. Charlie Sifford was in a class by himself, though. His place was higher on a throne than anyone. His legend seemed bigger than life, to me, and I’d never met him…until that day.
I still recall the feeling of anxiety and sudden lump in my throat as they approached. Bobby said: “this is the young man I’ve been telling you about.” Charlie simply nodded in a way that suggested I keep hitting balls. I hit the first shot and got absolutely no response. Hit ball number two and got a grunt. No words, just a grunt. After ball number three Mr. Sifford nodded again, and said: “Dang junior, looks like you know what you’re doing. Keep it up.” With that, he reached over, shook my hand, and he and Bobby Milton began to walk away. I was in awe! The late Maya Angelou once said: “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Well, Charlie Sifford made me feel like a champion that day, and I’ll never forget it!
While the years have passed, my admiration for Charlie Sifford has only gotten stronger. I co-hosted a book signing featuring him in 1992, when he first released his autobiography, Just Let Me Play. I traveled to St. Augustine, FL in 2004 when he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Wouldn’t have missed that for anything! In 2010, I had the privilege to speak in Charlotte, NC, at the grand opening of Charlie Sifford Golf Course. And now, on Monday, November 24, 2014, I was honored to see his smiling face after being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Charlie Sifford continues to be my hero. He has touched my life for over 40 years, and his legend lives forever in American history.
Send Michael a Comment!
ABOUT MICHAEL COOPER, PH.D.
Dr. Michael W. Cooper is the Campus Director for Springfield College-Tampa Bay campus. He is also the former Director of Diversity for the World Golf Foundation and Southeast Regional Director for The First Tee. Contact him at [email protected].
In the first round on Wednesday, Cheyenne Woods opened strongly with a 4-under-par 68 in the first round of the LPGA’s final stage of Q-School in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Having made a name for herself on the golf circuit, Cheyenne is also widely known for her famous uncle, Tiger Woods. Both have the same infectious smile and delight fans worldwide with their appeal. Cheyenne put a jump on things for the LPGA’s final stage by posting a great score, now tied for fifth at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, two shots behind Casey Grice, a University of North Carolina graduate who played the Symetra Tour as a rookie this past year.
The 24-year old captured her first professional title earlier this year by winning the the Australian Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour. Cheyenne has also played the Symetra Tour this season, highly visible, making her third attempt to get through LPGA Q-School.
Cheyenne is seeking success and hopes to be among the top 20 after Sunday’s conclusion of play, where these players gain full LPGA status for the 2015 playing year. next year. Those 25 not making the cut will earn conditional status.
Cheyenne has an impressive background and is as beautiful as she is skilled in golf. She started playing golf at five years old in her grandfather’s garage, where Tiger also started playing. She has won more than 30 amateur tournaments and while attending Wake Forest, twice won All-American honors, finished with the lowest scoring average in school history, and won the 2011 ACC Championship. She turned professional in 2012 after graduating. Born in Phoenix, Arizona she is a daughter of Susan Woods and Earl Dennison Woods Jr., who is golfer Tiger Woods‘ half-brother, making Cheyenne Tiger’s niece. Her paternal grandfather, Earl Woods (Tiger’s father), was her first coach.
Left-to-Right: Joe Canty, Tina Cervasio, Duke Castiglione and Chris Canty
The Chris Canty Foundation held its Champions Golf Classic on May 5, 2014 at the prestigious Alpine Country Club in Demarest, New Jersey. The fundraiser a great opportunity for golfers of all levels to measure their skills against one of Tri-State areas top ranked courses, rub elbows with top athletes and celebrities from around the country, while supporting a great cause. Photo Above, L-R: Debert Cook, publisher, African American Golfer’s Digest shared a cart ride with Duke Castiglione, sports anchor, Fox 5 and My 9 New York. “This is a wonderful tournament that benefits an even more wonderful cause,” said Cook who participated in the 18 hole fundraiser outing. The outing included an exciting pre-tournament party, silent auction and on-course games. All proceeds benefit programs and initiatives supported and developed by the Chris Canty Foundation that expose youth grades K-12 to educational programs, health/fitness activities, and community service projects. 
Photo Left: Chris Canty (center) with members of his foursome. 
For those who wish to be in the mix and enjoy great networking, the 2015 Champions Golf Classic will be held on May 18 at Alpine Country Club in Demarest, New Jersey from 9am – 6pm.
Photo left: Chris Canty tees up for an exciting day at his charity golf tournament.
Tiger Woods is sitting pretty today as the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers, Hero MotorCorp, , announced a global sponsorship with him on Tuesday. The Indian motorcycle and scooter maker is little known in the U.S., but it plans to use Woods to bolster its expansion outside of its base in India. There, it generates 98% of its sales.
The good news for Woods, comes just two days ahead of his return to competitive golf, after four months off. Woods, who celebrates his 39 birthday on December 30, will take to Isleworth Golf & Country Club to tee it up on Thursday at the annual tournament that he hosts, the Hero World Challenge. The Challenge benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. Hero MotorCorp also signed on (in September) to be a sponsor of the event which features 18 of the best golfers in the world, including Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler.
MotorCorp is one of the newest in Woods’ sponsor portfolio as he returns to the course. After four months off, recovering from back surgery, he missed the cut at the PGA Championship in August—his fourth tournament back after back surgery in March. The four events included two missed cuts and a withdrawal. It was a disappointing year for Woods who finished 201st on the money list with $108,275 and saw his world ranking plummet to No. 24 after starting 2014 ranked first. The 14-time major winner also yanked his name from consideration for a captain’s pick for the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
The new Hero MotorCorp deal is the most lucrative new sponsorship to date, since his 2009 infidelity scandal. It runs four years and could bring incentives for others to follow. Since his 2009 infidelity scandal, Woods lost personally and professionally as things crumbled around him including his marriage and rich endorsements with Accenture , AT&T T, PepsiCo, Gillette , Tag Heuer and Electronic Arts.
Press reports from India put the value of the Hero deal at roughly $8 million a year. Hero CEO Pawan Munjal wouldn’t comment on financial terms, but when asked about the rich price tag, Munjal quipped: “It is Tiger Woods after all.”
Woods ranked sixth in June in Forbes’ annual look at the world’s highest-paid athletes with earnings of $61.2 million. His Nike sponsorship remains one of the biggest in sports with the $28.8 billion-in-sales sportswear giant building a $789 million golf division on the back of Woods.
Global travel may have helped to pave the way for The Woods foundation for the Hero MotorCorp partnership, because, it was solidified in February when Woods played an exhibition in India hosted by Munjal and also featured Hero-sponsored golfer Shiv Kapur, who is one of India’s most high-profile golfers. Munjal says he was considering a handful of celebrities to help with the global expansion of Hero, but quickly settled on Woods. “I thought he was the best fit for our company. He is one of the biggest global celebrities and cuts across all segments,” said Munjal by phone. “We need to very quickly make the brand recognizable and popular globally. I am very confident that with Tiger, we will be able to do that.”
Munjal has big international plans for Hero. The company will enter the European market in 2015, followed by the U.S. and Brazil in 2016. The latter will coincide with the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, which Woods has expressed interest in participating. Hero projects to be in 50 countries by 2020 with sales volume of 12 million units, up from current totals of 21 countries and six million units. Munjal expects Woods to play a major role in the global expansion through promoting the brand and advertising across print, TV, digital and social. Munjal says that sales outside of India should reach 10% of the company within 3-4 years.
Hero reported net income of $348 million on $4.2 billion in sales for its latest fiscal year. Analysts expect sales to increase 14% for the latest fiscal year ending in March.
Left-to-Right: Joe Canty, Tina Cervasio, Duke Castiglione and Chris Canty
The Chris Canty Foundation held its Champions Golf Classic on May 5, 2014 at the prestigious Alpine Country Club in Demarest, New Jersey. The fundraiser a great opportunity for golfers of all levels to measure their skills against one of Tri-State areas top ranked courses, rub elbows with top athletes and celebrities from around the country, while supporting a great cause. Photo Above, L-R: Debert Cook, publisher, African American Golfer’s Digest shared a cart ride with Duke Castiglione, sports anchor, Fox 5 and My 9 New York. “This is a wonderful tournament that benefits an even more wonderful cause,” said Cook who participated in the 18 hole fundraiser outing. The outing included an exciting pre-tournament party, silent auction and on-course games. All proceeds benefit programs and initiatives supported and developed by the Chris Canty Foundation that expose youth grades K-12 to educational programs, health/fitness activities, and community service projects. Photo Left: Chris Canty (center) with members of his foursome. For those who wish to be in the mix and enjoy great networking, the 2015 Champions Golf Classic will be held on May 18 at Alpine Country Club in Demarest, New Jersey from 9am – 6pm.
Photo left: Chris Canty tees up for an exciting day at his charity golf tournament.
December 2, 2014 | By Farrell Evans
One of the most enduring images from Tiger Woods’s historic 1997 Masters win doesn’t involve golf shots or the green jacket. Before the traditional winner’s dinner that Sunday night, as Woods walked into the clubhouse, the all-Black waitstaff set down their dishes and napkins and applauded the first Black major winner. Because at Augusta National, as with most private clubs, African-Americans have typically been consigned to jobs as caddies, cooks, busboys and waiters.
Watching that year was Rodney Green, who had recently begun his career as a head golf professional. Green had always wanted an “out front” golf job, with the ability to hire, fire and represent the club. Today, 50 years after the end of the PGA’s Caucasians-only clause allowed Black men to play the Tour.
Green, the director of golf at Innisbrook Resort in Tampa, is one of only 85 African American PGA club professionalsa group that makes up less than one-half of 1 percent of the nation’s 28,000 pros. (There have been just two Black women to earn membershipRenee Powell and Maulana Dotch.) Add Hispanics and Asians (263 and 196 PGA members, respectively), and minorities make up less than 2 percent of all PGA pros.
This despite the fact that Blacks, Asians and Hispanics comprise 21 percent of golfers in America, according to the National Golf Foundation. As a point of comparison, about 24 percent of members of the United States Professional Tennis Associationthe oldest teaching organization in the tennis industry, dating to 1927are minorities.
PGA professionals are the game’s most visible ambassadors. They give the lessons and run the pro shops. Yet among their ranks, minorities are virtually invisible.
Read more at GOLF
The numeric keypad to add to the full keyboard provided by Apple. This awesome keypad is sleek and designed to complement the look and feel of Apple keyboards, the NewerTech numeric keypad features precision machined aluminum housing, white keys, and a bracket that attaches to the Apple keyboard – no tools needed” The Keypad works with all iDevices, like iPads and iPhones through Bluetooth.
NewerTech is a leading performance upgrades and accessories company for Macs, PCs, iPhones, iPads, and iPods since 1988.
The NewerTech Keypad was built to rigorous standards with input from accountants to get every detail of the full-sized 28-key numeric keypad just right, including key-throw, feel, design, size, and connectivity for maximum number crunching workflow excellence.
Comfortable Wide-Spaced Island Keys Reduce Errors
The NewerTech Wireless Aluminum Keypad works with all Bluetooth compatible computers, laptops and devices for the ultimate easy-to-pair Bluetooth workhorse that’s built to last. Bluetooth pairing is quick and reliable, reconnecting automatically when the computer or device is awakened or restarted. The comfortable wide-spaced island keys reduce errors and make the NewerTech Keypad the perfect companion to the Apple wireless keyboard – your fingers won’t know the difference.
Perfect for Traders, Financial Analysts, Accountants, Students, Teachers, Programmers, Agents, Salespeople, & More
The NewerTech Keypad is perfect for financial professionals, including accountants and analysts, as well as students, teachers, administrators, traders, agents, videographers, programmers, salespeople, and more. The responsive full-sized keys assist with accuracy and efficiency. Use this keypad with number intensive financial programs, such as Quicken and Excel or with popular video, music, and graphics software and apps, such as Pro Tools, Logic, and Final Cut Pro to take advantage of shortcuts that are not as easily accessible when using the Apple wireless keyboard alone. Versatile, lightweight, compact, sturdy, and durable, the NewerTech Keypad also works as a stand-alone or with a variety of other keyboards, and it’s a great companion for working at home or on the go.
“In the world of keypads, no product met our criteria, so we made it our mission to create a reliable wireless keypad that’s built to the highest standards and functions the way we expect numeric keypads to work, and complements the wireless keyboards offered by Apple,” said Larry O’Connor, CEO, NewerTech. “That day has finally arrived and now professionals have a high-quality wireless keypad to enhance their number crunching workflows.”
NewerTech Wireless Keypad Features:
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The NewerTech Wireless Aluminum Keypad is priced at $54.95 and available for immediate purchase through OWC at: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/KPA28BTW/, and other major retailers. It includes the Wireless Aluminum Keypad, 2 AAA batteries, and bracket to attach to Mac keyboards. A version with black keys, as well as international versions with illustrative black or white keys, will be announced in late fall 2014.
Tongues are wagging and rumors are swirling as Tiger Woods competes this week (for the first time since August) as a headliner at the Hero World Challenge. The invitation-only, star-studded field features a strong line-up of players for the 72-hole, stroke play event. It plans to be covered from all angles by Golf Channel and NBC—ching, ching for broadcast media and the multi-million viewership that is expected.
The Hero World Challenge is co-sponsored by the PGA TOUR and benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation and Tavistock Foundation. It will take place at Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Fla., featuring 17 of the PGA TOUR’s best players who are competing
for the $3.5 million purse.
Woods has claimed this tournament’s victory in five times prior. But, that was before his infamous back injury and surgery. Fans, and foes alike, will be conspicuous watching television screens across the world when he makes this debut. Many are looking to see most importantly how Tiger hits it. And the adrenaline is sure to be flowing while spectators try to figure out just how healthy Woods’ back is so far, and what new or old things he will convey during the competition. Woods missed the cut at the PGA Championship in August.
Golf Channel will air live coverage of the Hero World Challenge Thursday, Dec. 4 and Friday, Dec. 5, followed by weekend coverage on both Golf Channel and NBC, Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7.
2014 Hero World Challenge Field
| Player | World Ranking |
| Keegan Bradley | 31st |
| Jason Day | 8th |
| Rickie Fowler | 9th |
| Jim Furyk | 5th |
| Billy Horschel | 14th |
| Zach Johnson | 19th |
| Chris Kirk | 20th |
| Matt Kuchar | 10th |
| Hunter Mahan | 22nd |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 16th |
| Graeme McDowell | 15th |
| Justin Rose | 6th |
| Jordan Spieth | 11th |
| Henrik Stenson | 2nd |
| Steve Stricker | 39th |
| Jimmy Walker | 21st |
| Bubba Watson | 4th |
| Tiger Woods | 24th |
The Tiger Woods Foundation and Tavistock Group announced on December 3, 2014 that the Hero World Challenge will move to Albany, the luxury resort community in The Bahamas jointly owned by Tavistock Group, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, beginning in 2015.
Fast becoming known as the “Monaco of the Caribbean,” Albany offers a live, work, play environment unlike any other in the region and features a unique desert links style championship golf course designed by Ernie Els.
Nestled in the hilly terrain just over the bridge and 15 minutes east of Panama City in a place called Cocoli, you’ll find the Tucan Golf Club. The course is situated in the gated community of the Tucan Country Club and Resort, 180 acres of luxurious condominiums and townhomes with a spectacular view of the skyline of Panama City, Panama.
The championship 18-hole, par 72 golf course measures 6,477 yards from the tips and was built in the 1940’s and redesigned in 2005 by Jeffrey Myers, a golf course architect who has designed courses in the United States, South America, Asia and the Middle East. It has Paspalum grass on the tee decks, greens and fairways. According to the course manager, it was designed in a way that would insure the integrity of the surrounding tropical flora and fauna. 
The course was originally named Horoko, an adaptation of the names of forts Howard, Rodman and Kobbe. With the advent of the country club and housing built nearby, the name was changed to Tucan, Spanish for the colorful toucan bird native to northern South America, Central America and Mexico. The greens fees are $80 plus cart rental and tax. The Pro Shop also offers club rental of Calloway, Nike, Ping, Cobra and TaylorMade sets for $40, $60 for VIP sets. Golf carts are equipped with GPS. Tucan is a very challenging track with an abundance of sand traps, water, lateral hazards and moderately sloped greens. It aligns with its designer’s philosophy of placing hazards to punish bad shots instead of good shots. Place your tee shot in the fairway and you can’t go wrong.
The course includes four sets of tees, enabling players with different levels of skills to compete. The greens are angled to create interesting and challenging pin placements as well as playing options. Upon starting the course, a marshall instructed me to pay particular attention to the views from tee boxes on the 3rd, 6th, and 10th holes. His advice was well worth taking. Tucan is situated between the locks of the Panama Canal Zone at Miraflores, a tropical rain forest and the nation’s capital. The best view is from the 10th tee. 
The 3rd tee box, pictured left, (444 yards from the blue tees) is an elevated deck looking down a hill with the green obscured by a dog leg left.
One has to be careful when approaching the green, as it is guarded by a bunker and runs away from you. 
The 4th hole is another challenge. 173 yards in length from the blues and protected by a large pond along the fairway, keeping your ball dry is of utmost importance. The same pond looms largely on the following hole, which requires you to fly the ball to the fairway for a remote chance of reaching the elevated 5th green in two. 
To the left of the tee box on hole number 6 you’ll find a stunning view of the golf course and the country club’s upscale housing development. This position at the top of a hill leaves you a blind, downhill tee shot obscured by a left turn to the green. As this visit occurred to during the rainy season, the fairway was fairly soft due to excess rainfall, a phenomenon that must be considered when booking your trip. During the rainy season (April-December), the greens may slow a bit and the fairways may allow your ball to plug. As promised, the panoramic view of Panama City and the Canal Zone from the 10th tee was breath-taking.
If you’re visiting Panama, you won’t want to miss an opportunity for an excellent round at one of the country’s finest golf locations, Tucan Golf Club.
Vince Robinson is an avid golfer and freelance writer based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Golf CAN Help!
I will not be denied the opportunity to help those in need who are less fortunate than me. I believe that in working with the golf industry, and the sport of golf, we can mend some serious social problems and Charlie Sifford’s character is an example.
I know that a large number of children in the larger towns and cities like Huntsville are not getting and experiencing pprograms to benefit their lives. And if children in the larger towns and cities are being undeserved, just imagine how undeserved the children in the rural counties are.
Writer Sally Pearsall Ericson of AL.Com-The Huntsville Times published an October 1, 2104 article with some sad facts and I ask where is the outcry! The article states, according to the U. S. of Department Education, Alabama has a record number of homeless children and youth. The 29,749 homeless students enrolled by Alabama preschools and K-12 schools in the 2012-13 school years was an increase of 68 percent from the previous year. With Alabama having one of the worst economies in the country, high unemployment rate of 6.9% and low educational achievements, i.e., Alabama 8th-graders rank 50th in math, I dread to see the 2013-2014 homeless numbers. I hope there is not a correlation between my State of Alabama being the most republican (red) state in the country and functioning at the bottom in almost all quality of life categories, except for football!
A large number of Alabama children are already in poverty. And for a child living in poverty, more than likely that child is not receiving the things needed for their development. More than likely, they are getting inadequate education, insufficient eating habits and unhealthy choices. More than likely they are not exposed to enough positive images, music, art and have no opportunity to experience America’s true art form, jazz music. Most of all, the children in these rural counties will more than likely not ever be expose to and experience the wonderful game of golf and benefit from the inherent values that it offers. I vow to do something about this.
In addition, Alabama is facing serious problems with its prison systems i.e., treatment of inmates, space and capacity, funding and other issues. Lately the authorities and officials in charge of correcting the problems are in discussions about building more prisons, increasing privatization and educating the inmates–in other words, putting good money towards a bad situation. And if we don’t address the homeless students and youth that are good individuals, but caught up in bad situations due to no fault of their own, the state of Alabama will be in trouble for decades to come.
This is why I say we must be more proactive, creative and offer our youth alternative ways to learning and building their character. Upstream development is one of the keys to saving lives.
When youth receive an effective amount of academic and life skills development “upstream” (early formative years), we (the people) will not have to commit as many resources “downstream” (remedial education, governmental assistance, criminal justice system)!
Putting good money (estimated $420 million to build more prisons) towards a bad situation is, for the lack of a better word, crazy! Invest $10 million in a proven program like TVYGD and we can save the State of Alabama at least $100 million. I will write more about this in upcoming blogs.
Congratulations to Charlie Sifford for being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Charlie Sifford endured the segregationist philosophy of the people that loved the so-called Jim Crow laws and white privilege. That mindset is present today, but not as obvious as it was in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.
There was Sifford, walking alone on golf courses where hateful spectators were free to spit, swear and intimidate. But his character empowered him to show them the power of Jesus’s love!
I wish more of our youth had the same character traits as Mr. Sifford, so if the police pull you over, you’ll know how to respond and live to see another day.
A Good Men Project
I was recently interviewed by Tor Constantino, a writer for “A Good Men Project“. I am proud that he sees the value in our work. Check them out.
http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/one-mans-vision-tee-success-risk-kids-part-2-torcon/
Much love to Richard Crimes, for assisting me with my blogs.
Have a happy holiday season and I look forward to 2015.
Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172