Success Reigned at The Inaugural Dr. Charlie Sifford, Sr. Cup

by Contributor August 26, 2022

written by Contributor August 26, 2022

By Nadia Rahaman

The Inaugural Dr. Charlie Sifford, Sr. Cup was an astounding success! In honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth, there was a two-day celebration that captured who the legend was to the game of golf. On Thursday, June 2, 2022, we held an evening reception on what would’ve been Charlie Sifford’s 100th birthday. It was a heartfelt celebration that was attended by approximately 125 people, including Charlie Sifford, Jr. and his family. The highlight of the evening was a proclamation from Mayor Muriel Bowser declaring June 2, 2022, Charlie Sifford, Sr. Day!

Craig Kirby (left), Founder & CEO of Golf. My Future. My Game., enjoying the reception celebrating Dr. Charlie Sifford, Sr.’s 100th Birthday with his son, Charlie Sifford, Jr.

On Saturday, June 4, 2022, we held a Ryder Cup-style tournament that featured 12 players from Golf. My Future. My Game. and Oakland, California-based ACE Kids versus 12 players from the First Tee Greater Washington, D.C. It took place at the Historic Langston Golf Club in Washington, D.C., a golf course that is a beacon of African American golf heritage and one Charlie Sifford himself use to frequent.

It’s not over as two players each from Team Golf. My Future. My Game. & ACE Kids and Team First Tee- Greater Washington, DC prepare to enter the Sudden-Death Playoff.

All 24 players brought their A-game making it a compelling match that turned into a nail-biter. In the end, it was an outstanding win in a Sudden-Death Playoff by the golf team of Golf. My Future. My Game. and ACE Kids. All in all, the day ended with each player having a great time, making new friends, playing with honesty and integrity, and winning with grace!

Team Golf. My Future. My Game. & ACE Kids are victorious as the winners of the inaugural Sifford Cup!

Dr. Charlie Sifford, Sr. was an American professional golfer who was the first African American to play on the PGA Tour. He won the Greater Hartford Open in 1967 and the Los Angeles Open in 1969. He also won the United Golf Association’s National Negro Open six times, and the PGA Seniors’ Championship in 1975. For his contributions to golf, Sifford was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004. He was awarded the Old Tom Morris Award in 2007, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014, and an honorary doctorate from the University of St Andrews.

Players seen loving their swag from Under Armour, who was the apparel sponsor for both teams.

Lee Trevino referred to Sifford as the “Jackie Robinson” of golf, and Tiger Woods acknowledged that Sifford paved the way for his career. It was only fitting to honor such a giant who left his mark on the game of golf through this celebration!

Team Golf. My Future. My Game. & ACE Kids and Team First Tee- Greater Washington, DC are all smiles are the reception while spending time with Charlie Sifford, Jr.

THANK YOU to ACE Kids, First Tee of Greater Washington, D.C., Langston Golf Course, and all our players along with their family and friends! A special shoutout to our sponsors the PGA Tour, Under Armour, City Swing, GCSAA, The Buffalo Groupe, National Links Trust, Broughton Construction, Doyle, Barlow & Mazard PLLC, LAW MD Chartered, Site Maintenance Group LLC, The Oaks BnB, and HHA Whitney LLC. Countdown to Sifford Cup 2023!