Original Golf Legend Celebrated

Legendary New York Times sports writer Bill Rhoden will present Dr. Sifford with the first “Dr. Charles Sifford True Original Award� at the June 24th True Original Awards Dinner sponsored by INC.COM.

A Golf Legend Honored

Long before Tiger Woods there was Dr. Charles Sifford.

He is an African-American golf pioneer.

He is renowned as the first Black man to break the color barrier in
golf. Eventually, he became the first African-American to play
regularly on the PGA Tour and the first African-American inducted into
the World Golf Hall of Fame. Refusing to buckle under the pressure of
racism, Dr. Sifford is the single individual most responsible for
desegregating the game of golf in America.

Only recently has Dr. Sifford started to receive recognition for his
endurance, strength of character and sportsmanship. This week, his
deserving kudos continue when Wendell J. Haskins, entrepreneur, founder
and president of the Original Tee Golf Classic (OTGC) hosts a
celebration for Sifford.

On Sunday, June 24, Haskins, will be joined by a host of celebrities,
VIPs and high profile golf enthusiasts including actors, Bill Bellamy,
Rosie Perez, Andre Royo (The Wire), Maurice Dubois (WCBS News Anchor),
Herb Williams (New York Knicks Coach), Stephanie Elam (CNN-NY Business
News correspondent), Chris Webber, Chris Spencer, Greg Anthony, Ruben
Santiago Hudson, the legendary Earl the Pearl Monroe, actor Malik Yoba,
rap artist LUKE, Clyde Drexler and others.

The celebration for Dr. Sifford is at the 8th Annual Original Tee Golf
Classic to be held at the Wild Turkey Golf Club, Hamburg, NJ. 

Legendary New York Times sports writer Bill Rhoden will present Dr.
Sifford with the first “Dr. Charles Sifford True Original Award� at the
June 24th True Original Awards Dinner sponsored by INC.COM. Haskins
named the True Original Award after Dr. Sifford in tribute to his
lifetime legacy of milestone achievements.

Dr. Sifford’s name will grace OTGC’s annual award recognizing honorees
who exemplify his unique qualities of leadership, courage and
innovation — making them true originals in their career fields. 
“INC.com is proud to partner with the Original Tee Golf Classic to pay
homage to Dr. Sifford, an agent of change — a man who exemplifies the
spirit of enterprise, courage and conviction,� said Harold Bolling
Publisher of Mansueto Digital Ventures, the parent company of OTGC’s
Gold sponsor, INC.com.

Like his role model Dr. Sifford, Wendell Haskins has weathered against
the odds for eight years to develop his vision for a lifestyle event
that would bridge his passion for supporting worthy community causes
and his love of sports, fashion and entertainment.

“As a golf enthusiast, I wanted to bring together other people of color
who share a love for this sport� said Haskins. He continues
“African-Americans have always participated in the game. I want more
people of color to feel comfortable on the golf course. Our historical
contributions deserve to be included in the overall landscape of the
sport.�

A fundraiser as well as a celebratory social event, The Original Tee
Golf Classic will also donate a portion of the proceeds to The American
Cancer Society and The Bill Dickey Scholarship Association. “As
successful business people, it’s important that we support
organizations and charities that contribute to the growth, success and
health of our communities,� said Haskins.

The Original Tee Golf Classic is supported in part by American Express,
African-American Golfer’s Digest, ESPN Magazine, GODIVA Chocolate,
Inc.com, Microsoft, The NBA, Pepsi, Starbucks, VIBE Magazine, Chelsea
Piers, and Washington Mutual Home Loans, Hennessy, and Jet Blue as well
as local businesses and organizations.

Original Tee Inc. was founded and launched in 1999 by entertainment
marketing entrepreneur, Haskins. Since its inception, the Original Tee
Golf Classic has developed into a golf culture love-fest, where
celebrities, corporate, and entertainment VIPs come together to honor
African-American achievement while supporting worthy philanthropic
causes.


Find more on Wendell Haskins and Original Tee Inc. at www.originaltee.com.





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