The Golf Writers Association of America, a group of professional golf writers, is honoring former National Golf Foundation President Charlie Sifford for his “role in the advancement of diversity in golf and to assist in the creation of more opportunities for people of color in the golf industry.”
GFWA will present its Charlie Sifford Award at the GWBC Golf Classic, a four-day event that begins Friday.
The founder of the PGA of America’s first black membership organization, Sifford is the only African-American member of the PGA Hall of Fame. As a golfer, he played on the PGA Tour and won two tournaments. His 1958 British Open tie with Watson came two months after Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier.
Sifford started the Afro-American Golf Tour in 1958 and headed its operation. Later, he was head of the PGA’s Silver Knights Professional Development Program.
The GFWA’s Golf Writers Foundation Awards Ceremony and Golf Showcase also will honor Michelle Wie, whose historic playoff win at the Women’s British Open in July made her the youngest winner of a major tournament in the Open era. The Golf Writers Association of America also will honor its top individuals for tournament coverage in 2013, their “Spirit in advancing diversity in golf” award.
The 28th annual GWBC Golf Classic will be Friday and Saturday.