The Charlie Sifford Centennial Celebration 2022
Who was Dr. Charles "Charlie" Sifford?
Dr. CHARLES L. “CHARLIE” SIFFORD (June 2, 1922 - Feb 3, 2015) became the first African American golfer to play on the PGA Tour (1961) and was instrumental in forcing the PGA to formally end its 1934–61 Caucasians-only membership clause.
Born in Charlotte, NC, Sifford was introduced to golf as a young teen when he worked as a caddie at the segregated Carolina Country Club. At the age of 17, he moved to Philadelphia PA, and further honed his game at Cobbs Creek Golf Course, which was open to black players. In the mid 40’s Sifford served in World War II as an Army. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and resumed pursuit of his golf career. During the 1950s Sifford played on the United Golf Association tour (“UGA”), organized in 1926 to give black golfers the opportunity to compete. He won the UGA’s top event, the National Negro Open, six times (1952–56, 1960). He also worked as a personal golf coach and chauffeur/valet for singer Billy Eckstine - traveling with Eckstine and his band for nearly a decade.
In 1957, Sifford won the Long Beach Open, a non-PGA event in which many white professional golfers competed. Finally, in late 1960, the PGA issued Sifford an “approved player” card, which allowed him to play in tournaments as a rookie in 1961 at the age of 39. The following year, under threat from California’s attorney general, Stanley Mosk, the PGA ended its policy of excluding all but white players from membership, and Sifford became a full member three years later. Sifford’s first PGA victory came at the 1967 Greater Hartford Open, where he shot a last-round 64 to win by a stroke, and he won the 1969 Los Angeles Open in a playoff. He went on to win the PGA Seniors’ Championship in 1975 and as an original member of the Senior PGA Champions Tour; he won the Suntree Classic in 1980.
In 1992, he published his autobiography – Just Let Me Play, a book that chronicled his journey as an African American golfer.
Sifford became the first black golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004. Then In 2006, the University of St. Andrews in Scotland conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Sifford for his courage and sacrifices - he would be forever known as Dr. Charles L. Sifford. In 2007, he received the Old Tom Morris award, the highest honor bestowed by Golf Course Superintendents of America. In 2011, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina renamed a golf course in his honor- Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course at Revolution Park. In 2014, he was presented the highest civilian award - the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
Dr. Sifford was married to Rose Crumbly in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Rose, his most steadfast supporter, passed in 1998 before his accomplishments were nationally recognized. He and Rose had two sons, Charles Jr. and Craig. Dr. Sifford passed away on February 3, 2015 at the age of 92.
What is the Sifford Centennial Celebration?
Dr. Charles L. Sifford, Sr., the first African American golfer to be issued a PGA TOUR players card in 1960, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on June 2, 2022. In honor of Dr. Sifford’s Centennial Celebration, the Sifford family is working closely with our group JLMP LLC, to develop a series of events during the calendar year of 2022 to celebrate Dr. Sifford’s life. A stage play, documentary and feature film are in the planning stages, as well as high quality merchandise and a traveling memorabilia exhibit.
JLMP's Sifford Centennial Strategy is two fold:
- Sifford Branding - improve awareness of Dr. Sifford’s trailblazing efforts, the rich life lessons from his Just Let Me Play story and his vision of diversity in the professional game of golf.
- Charitable/DEI Advancement – Secure sponsorship from entities and individuals who share Dr. Sifford’s vision for growing diversity in golf.
Several recognition events in conjunction with the PGA TOUR, World Golf Hall of Fame and First Tee and many others have been planned throughout the year - a tentative list is below:
