It was on this day in 2004 that Charlie Sifford was inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame. As a way to honor the first Black player on the PGA Tour, on Monday the Hall of Fame announced the creation of the Charlie Sifford Award presented by Southern Company for those who advance diversity in golf.
The award’s inaugural recipient will be Renee Powell, who became the second Black woman to compete on the LPGA in 1967 after Althea Gibson in 1964. Powell will be honored as part of the Hall of Fame’s 2022 induction ceremony on Wednesday, March 9, during the Players Championship. Tiger Woods, Susie Maxwell Berning, Tim Finchem and the late Marion Hollins comprise the 2022 class, and will bring the number of Hall of Fame members to 164.
“As a youngster my parents fought to get me into tournaments when I was not welcomed because of the color of my skin, which instilled in me how important it is to get young people into the game to help build their self-confidence,” said Powell via a release. “I’m honored to be the first recipient of this award and to see Charlie Sifford be recognized for breaking down barriers that never should have been put in front of him and all others of color who strived to play this game. I was taught early on by my parents that golf should be a sport for everyone, and we can all diversify this game in so many ways.”
During her professional career Powell played in more than 250 tournaments. Since 1995 she has been the head PGA/LPGA professional at Clearview Golf Club in Ohio, established by her father, William Powell, in 1946 as the first golf course in the country designed, built, owned and operated by a Black person.
“The creation of this award will establish a platform for celebrating the significance of Charlie Sifford’s contributions to golf in the face of adversity,” said World Golf Hall of Fame CEO Greg McLaughlin. “In partnership with Southern Company, the Hall of Fame is committed to ensuring his legacy endures for future generations by recognizing others – like Renee Powell – who are devoted to making the sport a welcome environment for all.”
“On behalf of the Sifford family, we are immensely proud and honored to have this award established in my father’s name,” said Charles Sifford Jr. “My father, my number one hero, simply wanted to play the game he loved so much and – in this pursuit – endured enormous challenges as an African American golfer. His skills, perseverance, grit, and determination propelled him to continue his dream. He was successful despite having to overcome multiple barriers of discrimination. His hard-fought efforts paved the way for other minority golfers to pursue their career. This award is honorably illuminated by having a longtime family friend and successful African American female golfer, Renee Powell, as the first recipient. This really is something special.”
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