A Resolution by the City of Sacramento, Calif., Mayor Darrell Steinberg and his Council Members was presented to Willie L. Simmons Jr., a founding member of the Sacramento Area Black Golf Club, formerly the California Chartered Social Club named the Counts, Inc.
Simmons was honored on February 19 by the Sacramento Area Black Golf Club at their annual golf tournament and was surprised by the bestowal. “I was not made aware of this. I thought that I was there to make a historical presentation of my golf club,” said a humbled Simmons.
In 1990 Simmons founded the Northern California Minority Junior Golf Scholarship Association which enriches the lives of minority and underprivileged youth in the Sacramento area by playing the wonderful game of golf.
Simmons, a 2007 Charter Member of the African American Golfer’s Digest Editorial Advisory Board, which advocates for minority interest in the game of golf and the golf industry, has been a vital part of the success of the 19-year-old publication which serves over 80,000 readers as a PGA of America Diverse Supplier.
Throughout his life, Simmons, 91, has been a leader in promoting the interest of Black golfers in Sacramento and was instrumental in changing policies that only allowed Black golfers to caddy but restricted them from playing golf on public city courses.
The Resolution reads C. K. McClatchy High School. It should have read C. K. McClatchy Park (A Public Facility).
View the Resolution HERE.
