Travelers to host outing honoring Sifford
The Travelers Championship announced Thursday that, in coordination with Travelers and Skins & Pins Golf Club, it is hosting the Charlie Sifford Centennial Celebration Golf Outing on June 21 at Wethersfield Country Club.
Proceeds from the outing will generate money for The Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship, 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.
Sifford became the first Black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card in 1961. Six years later, he won his first tour event at what is now known as the Travelers Championship,
then played at Wethersfield CC.
The tournament is making the announcement on what would have been Sifford’s 100th birthday. He died in 2015. Sifford is the honorary chairperson for this year’s tournament, running June 23-26 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.
“The Sifford family is immensely proud and honored that the Travelers Championship is recognizing my father, Dr. Charles L. Sifford, with an exhibition tournament in his name,” said Charles Sifford Jr in a statement put out by the tournament. “This tournament is an example of his vision of diversity and inclusion by the golf establishment. The Greater Hartford Open in 1967 was his first PGA Tour victory. This recognition, and others planned during the week, are especially noteworthy during his centennial celebration year honoring my father’s contributions as an African American golfer. We sincerely appreciate all the sponsors for continuing to honor his legacy.”
The Cobbs Creek Foundation will serve as the fiscal sponsor of The Sifford scholarship. Founded in 1916, Cobbs Creek has embraced both Black and women golfers and acted as the home course to Sifford during the time he was lived in Philadelphia.
Sifford was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004 and was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014.
“Charlie was a trailblazer who holds a special place in the hearts of many golf fans, especially in Connecticut after he won here,” said Andy Bessette, the executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Travelers, in a statement. “We want golf to be inclusive. We believe in and are committed to diversity in how we operate our company. Recognizing Charlie for all he did, not only in golf but in the pursuit of equality, speaks to that.”
The event at Wethersfield CC includes breakfast, followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun scramble, lunch on the course and a reception after play concludes. The cost is $300 per person or $1,200 for a foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.