“I am deeply heartbroken to share the passing of our esteemed Editorial Advisory Board Member, Mr. Willie L. Simmons Jr., of Sacramento, California, who passed away on March 8. His daughter, Lorretta Simmons, delivered the sad news to me today,” said African American Golfer’s Digest Publisher, Debert Cook.
Mr. Simmons, age 94, was a dedicated member of AAGD, joining the AAGD Editorial Advisory Board in 2007. His invaluable guidance and commitment helped expand the publication’s reach nationwide, with a special focus on Sacramento, California.
He traveled extensively on behalf of the magazine, championing diversity in golf and advancing our publication’s mission in locations such as Branson, Missouri; Northern Virginia; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Southern Michigan; Hot Springs, Virginia; and Miami, Florida. Simmons enjoyed writing, photographing, and networking with industry experts and colleagues, while documenting golf events and attended golf expositions.
Beyond his contributions to AAGD, Mr. Simmons made a lasting impact on the golfing community through his work with youth. In July 1990, he founded the Northern California Minority Junior Golf Association in Sacramento, serving as President of the nonprofit organization and the whole Simmons family was actively involved in one aspect or another in the corporation that worked to enrich the lives of underprivileged and at-risk youth. Mr. Simmons‘ efforts provided positive social experiences that fostered character development, academic achievement, and exposure to the game of golf.
Through training programs, instructional camps, scholarships, tournaments, and charity events, Mr. Simmons opened doors of opportunity for thousands of young people. NCMJGSA’s junior golf programs have been recognized as one of the top youth and educational junior golf training programs funded by the PGA, Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) and USGA Foundations. In 2024, the organization held its 31st Annual Sacramento River City Golf Classic Fundraiser.
During his 90th birthday celebration, in 2020, Simmons shared that he was born in August 1934, and raised in the hoods of West Monroe, LA and later relocated to Oakland, CA, where he was a member of the McClymonds High School (Oakland CA/Class of June 1948). “I had been caddying at McGuire Golf & Country Club for two years in West Monroe, Louisiana, that I could not play on,” said Simmons to this publication during his 90th birthday celebration interview. Over the years, Simmons went on to hold memberships in the Sacramento Area Black Golf Club and the Western States Golf Association.
Simmons was Federally employed for 36 years by the Department of Defense, as an Army and US Air Force Civilian. “I retired in January 1986 as a US Federal Civil Servant, General Superintendent of Electronics. I was in a position that required me to travel worldwide, enabling me to play golf in Spain, the Philippines, Hawaii, and much of the continental United States,” said the father of four daughters and one son during his 90th birthday celebration interview with AAGD. In 2016 Simmons and his lovely wife, Pauline, celebrated 62-years of marriage and were recognized in the Observer Newspapers. The former professional musician led his own group for more than 25 years which explains his passion for listening to 1960s-70s modern jazz.
Simmons was on active duty in the US Army for two years (1951-1953) and was assigned to Germany. Simmons recounted that he was very proud of two things while being there: To be a part of a basketball team that had 54 wins and 4 losses and won the last 44 games in a row (US European Military Champions). He also was able to be coached by the same coach and run on the same track that Jesse Owens accomplished his heroics in during the 1936 Olympics. “Before Tiger Woods, it was Sam Snead. At the time my of interest in learning to play golf (1939), Blacks/African Americans were not allowed to be a member of the PGA. Also, not much media was about Black golfers,” Simmons said in the interview.
Mr. Simmons’ legacy of service, mentorship, and dedication to diversity in golf will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to know him. The Simmons family is still finalizing memorial service arrangements, and we will share updates as they become available.
