Report Day 1, Oct 20, 2022 —
Little did I realize when my day started from my home in Omaha, Nebraska, that would end on such a celebratory note. It was not looking good this morning at 4:02 when I was stopped by Omaha airport security because of the presence of my divot tool. Yes, I had to explain to the TSA agent that this was not a weapon but a retractable divot tool commemorative of the historic 2022 Charlie Sifford Cup.
Well, I still had to go back to the check-in counter and check it with the rest of my luggage. Not the greatest start to my day and trip to Bermuda to participate in the Inaugural Bermuda Black Golf Clubs Championships being held October 20-24.
This event in the brainchild of Earnie Ellison, longtime golf industry leader and founder of the Ellison Consulting Group, Rick Summers, CEO and publisher of the PGA Magazine Group, and Hazel Clark, Director of Global Sales & Business Development for the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
The mission is to bring leaders of African American golf groups from the USA—of which there are several hundred, as well as International groups together, to not only compete for bragging rights for the best players but to also address the issues and opportunities for African American worldwide in the business and industry of Golf. Sort of a Make Golf Your Thing movement on an international scale.
The day indeed got progressively better after making my flights on time and having the accepted papers to enter the country of Bermuda.
Upon my arrival in Hamilton, Bermuda. I was able to clear customs and pick up my baggage in a matter of minutes and everyone during the process was polite and friendly. Did I mention that it was gorgeous weather as well? Well, Bermuda has that year-round. Not used to that in Omaha – Oh well.
I and others on the connecting flight from Atlanta (Ga) were picked up by and bussed destined to the five-star Hamilton Princess Hotel where we were met with even more gracious hospitality. The ride was adventurous, as the roads were a bit narrow, and driving in on the left side of the road as is the automobile driver and steering wheel, by the way.
In Bermuda, for safety reasons, the law prohibits non-residents from owning, renting, or driving four-wheeled vehicles. Therefore, tourists must rely on taxis, buses, or rental scooters to get around the island.
Once checked in at my hotel and after getting some rest I prepared for the 6 PM reception, and the rest is history.
Let the celebration begin!
I met people from all over: Chris word, Founder of Greenwood Golf from Charlotte, NC, Ron Everett from Stratford, CT, Stanley Campbell, owner of Martin Downs Golf Course in Palm City, FL and Doug Hill with the Black Lives Matter Golf organization in Nova Scotia, Canada, just to name a few. Black Lives Matter Golf (BLMG) grew to 120 participants in 2021 at Grandview Golf and Country Club located in the historical Black community of East Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada
In a span of just 3 years, BLMG has achieved recognition in both local and National media and was awarded the Community Sport Organization of the year 2021/22 by The Provincial Sport Organization Support 4 Sport.
I certainly met more distinctive individuals and will discuss them in my next reports from Bermuda.
There is even more celebration as the 60 people at the reception joined in congratulating Booker T and Toni Evans who celebrated their honeymoon in Bermuda 35 years ago!! Booker is President of the Desert Mashie Golf Club and Toni is deeply immersed in Desert Mashie as well. Desert Mashie is based in Goodyear, AZ.
We celebrated the birthday of Granville Brown, National President, of Western States Golf Association with a beautiful and delicious cake organized by his wife Dr. Ellen W. Brown, President, Divas On Course Golf Club of Las Vegas, Nevada.
My celebration continued by meeting one of the most accomplished athletes in the world Noah Lyles. He is the bronze medalist in the 2019 Olympics and the 2022 World Champion in the 200 meters. So as a former 200-meter runner myself this was great. I asked Noah when he would go under 19 seconds which has never been done. He told me with great authority – 2023 would be the year. You heard it here first. Run Noah Run!
In all fairness, I was equally impressed with meeting Hazel Clark who was an Olympian in 2000, 2004 and 2008. I, along with others, watched her dominate the 800 meters for years. You also might also remember her dad, Joe Clark, the no-nonsense inspirational principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, as brilliantly portrayed by Morgan Freemen in the movie, “Lean On Me “
What a Great Day.
Well, that’s my report for Day 1. Stay tuned More to come….
>>READ MORE: BERMUDA BLACK GOLF CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP: DAY 2
