Dr. Charlie Sifford
The First African American Golfer to Play on the PGA Tour
About Charlie Sifford
Dr. Charlie Sifford (June 2, 1922 - Feb 3, 2015), born in Charlotte, NC 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.
He 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. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and resumed pursuit of his golf career.
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.
Charlie Sifford Centennial Cigar
$59.95
Crafted by Master Blender Rolando Villamil and constructed in Santiago, Dominican Republic, the Sifford Centennial Premium Cigar Ecuadorian Connecticut or Brazilian Maduro Wrapper, both offered in a 50x7 Churchill.
Charlie Sifford began smoking Cigars at an early age. While working as a caddie at a local Country Club, Charlie would give his caddie wages of $0.50/day to his mother , to help support his parents and Sifford siblings. He would keep the tips he received for himself , around 10 cents , most of which went to the local tobacconist for his cigars.
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Merchandise
Just Let Me Play Centennial Edition
$33.99
The Story of Charlie Sifford - The First Black PGA Golfer.
View ProductCharlie Takes His Shot Picture Book
$16.99
2018 Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Honor Award, presented by the California Reading Association
View ProductSifford Scholarship
Dr.Sifford’s pioneering efforts created a pathway for all minority golfers to develop a successful career in professional golf. To honor him, The Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship has been established to help support college students who qualify, as they pursue their professional career of choice. The scholarship's goal is to help fund college costs for students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), or for students focusing their education on a golf management program.
Sifford Foundation
Creating opportunities for underserved youth to maximize thier full potential️
Through Scholarships
The Foundation will award The Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship annually which will help cover college tuition for students who attend a historically Black college or university, or for minority students focusing their education on a golf management program. The goal of the Scholarship is to help support college students who qualify, as they pursue their professional career of choice. The Scholarship is hosted by the Cobbs Creek Foundation, as a partnership between the Sifford estate and Dr. Sifford’s home golf course, Cobbs Creek in Philadelphia.
Through Grants
The Foundation will work with and provide grants to community organizations that share the Sifford Foundations vision of helping to expose youth to the game of golf and highlight the importance of financial literacy. Two very important aspects in Dr. Sifford’s life. The Grant program is hosted by the Cleveland Foundation, in partnership with the Sifford estate.
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Future Opportunities & Initiatives
WME Legends, in partnership with JLMP, LLC.,co-represents the estate’s assets including name, likeness, life and IP rights, worldwide. Opportunities exist across three (3) major categories for strategic collaborations with brands and/or companies whose core values align with Charlie’s trailblazing persona, either through Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives or commercial licensing of Charlie’s name, image, or likeness.
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Six Most Important Cities Impacting Charlie's Career
- CHARLOTTE, NC //
Birthplace, took up golf at age 10 while he was a caddie at a segregated country club - PHILADELPHIA, PA //
Place of residence upon moving, played in UGA events, won the National Negro Open six times - LOS ANGELES, CA //
Earned PGA TOUR players card - LOS ANGELES, CA //
Earned PGA TOUR players card through California Attorney General eliminating the PGA TOUR’s “Caucasian only” clause; Won 1969 Los Angeles Open; Genesis Open established the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption since 2009 - HARTFORD, CT //
Won the 1967 Greater Hartford Open Invitational, becoming the first minority golfer to win a PGA TOUR event - BALTIMORE, MD //
His memorabilia from his playing career is housed at UMES, the nation's only PGA-accredited management degree program at a historically Black university - LEVELAND, OH //
Resided in the Cleveland, OH at the end of his professional golf career
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