For Immediate Release
Contact: 203-865-1431 or 203*915*4758 or knickerbockergolfclub75@Ya
Knickerbocker Golf Club to Celebrate 75th Anniversary as Community Institution
NEW HAVEN ORGANIZATION AMONG NATIONS OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN GOLF CLUBS CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF GOLF AT ITS FINEST AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
New Haven, CT, September 4, 2014--Nearly thirty years after the end of the Civil War, John Shippen the son of black man and Native American mother placed sixth in the second U.S. Open, despite threats by white golfers to boycott. After a span of 52 years, Ted Rhodes in 1948 would join Shippen (who played in five Opens) as only African Americans to play in the Open. Four years prior to Rhodes playing in the U.S. Open, and three years before Jackie Robinson would break baseball’s color line; a group of African Americans in New Haven, Connecticut united to form the Knickerbocker Golf Club along the winding road of Sherman Parkway.
Since 1944, the Knickerbocker Golf Club has been a critical institution in New Haven’s African American community. It has served as a gathering spot for New Haven’s elites in the black community as well as a key supporter of young people through sponsorship of sports teams, scholarships and venue for community organizing. This historical event will also help to support the youth of our community in developing the skills required to successfully transition to adulthood and become tomorrow's leaders.
On June 7, they’ll celebrate their 75th anniversary with a gala event bringing together past and present members and supporters in a dinner and awards celebration hosted by the distinguished Publisher of the African American Golfer's Digest and President of Event Planners Plus, Debert Cook, CMP.
Although its clubhouse is distinguished as a historical landmark by the Connecticut State Preservation Board and the National Register of Historic Places, the prominent red brick building continues to be a center for golf, social, and recreational activities for its members and the community.
It remains an institution that has withstood the era when African Americans were barred from playing in white tournaments to witnessing the rise and accomplishments of Tiger Woods, whose success in many ways –not necessarily in actual player numbers – reinvigorated the sport of golf in the African American community.
“It's hard to imagine golf without Tiger, but many of us can,” said Willie Holmes the Knickerbocker Club’s residing historian and Chairman of our 75th Gala Celebration.. “For those of us who remember what it was like for African Americans trying to break into what were once considered white-only sport, it's even harder to imagine why we’d want to,” added Holmes.
Longtime member Reginald Mayo, the former superintendent of New Haven Public Schools believes institutions like the Knickerbockers are still relevant and play a crucial role in allowing community elders to transfer history and culture to younger generations unaware of the struggles and sacrifices invested in removing racist barriers in America.
“Cultural institutions like the Knickerbockers serve a role in filling in the blanks for the younger generation and serve as a vehicle for ensuring that our young people remember where we’ve come from as a people and that there is an obligation to pay it forward for the future generations the same way others did for us and we are doing for them,” he said.
Retired New Haven Police Chief and Knickerbocker member Melvin Wearing agrees.
“No one knows our community better than we do and the Knickerbocker Golf Club is about simply more than golf. That was a starting point, the bigger idea was to pool resources and create a safe place that could have a positive and powerful impact on our community,” said Wearing.
“Without a doubt for the past 75 years, I do believe the Knickerbocker Club has done that and I don’t see that commitment ending any time soon,” added Wearing.
You are invited to attend our Gala Awards program on June 7, 2019 from 5 pm to 9 pm at Fantasia Banquet Facility located at 404 Washington Avenue in North Haven, CT.
This is a very special year for the Knickerbocker Golf Club, Inc. Founded 75 years ago we are excited and invite everyone to celebrate this illustrious Diamond Anniversary with you, our friends, members past, present and future.
We, the Knickerbocker Golf Club are very thankful to all who have made the long, wonderful, sometimes challenging yet awakening and awesome breathtaking journey with us for many years.
Our celebration is not merely a dinner and award celebration for we must all be aware of just how we are able to give something back to society and our community.
The Knickerbocker Golf Club Inc 75th Golf Tournament takes place on Saturday, July 27th @ Alling Memorial Golf Course located at 35 Eastern Street, New Haven, CT 06513 both entertainment and golf packages – and team entry are available by contacting
Mr. Willie Holmes @ 203-623-0601 or Wayne Ricks Sr @ 203-915-4758 or the Knickerbocker Golf Club @293-865-1431
For more information you may call 203*915*4758
A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Knickerbocker Scholarship Fund.
###
For More information on African Americans and golf visit the PGA Black History Timeline:http://www.pga.com/
Contact: 203-865-1431 or 203*915*4758 or knickerbockergolfclub75@Ya
Knickerbocker Golf Club to Celebrate 75th Anniversary as Community Institution
NEW HAVEN ORGANIZATION AMONG NATIONS OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN GOLF CLUBS CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF GOLF AT ITS FINEST AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
New Haven, CT, September 4, 2014--Nearly thirty years after the end of the Civil War, John Shippen the son of black man and Native American mother placed sixth in the second U.S. Open, despite threats by white golfers to boycott. After a span of 52 years, Ted Rhodes in 1948 would join Shippen (who played in five Opens) as only African Americans to play in the Open. Four years prior to Rhodes playing in the U.S. Open, and three years before Jackie Robinson would break baseball’s color line; a group of African Americans in New Haven, Connecticut united to form the Knickerbocker Golf Club along the winding road of Sherman Parkway.
Since 1944, the Knickerbocker Golf Club has been a critical institution in New Haven’s African American community. It has served as a gathering spot for New Haven’s elites in the black community as well as a key supporter of young people through sponsorship of sports teams, scholarships and venue for community organizing. This historical event will also help to support the youth of our community in developing the skills required to successfully transition to adulthood and become tomorrow's leaders.
On June 7, they’ll celebrate their 75th anniversary with a gala event bringing together past and present members and supporters in a dinner and awards celebration hosted by the distinguished Publisher of the African American Golfer's Digest and President of Event Planners Plus, Debert Cook, CMP.
Although its clubhouse is distinguished as a historical landmark by the Connecticut State Preservation Board and the National Register of Historic Places, the prominent red brick building continues to be a center for golf, social, and recreational activities for its members and the community.
It remains an institution that has withstood the era when African Americans were barred from playing in white tournaments to witnessing the rise and accomplishments of Tiger Woods, whose success in many ways –not necessarily in actual player numbers – reinvigorated the sport of golf in the African American community.
“It's hard to imagine golf without Tiger, but many of us can,” said Willie Holmes the Knickerbocker Club’s residing historian and Chairman of our 75th Gala Celebration.. “For those of us who remember what it was like for African Americans trying to break into what were once considered white-only sport, it's even harder to imagine why we’d want to,” added Holmes.
Longtime member Reginald Mayo, the former superintendent of New Haven Public Schools believes institutions like the Knickerbockers are still relevant and play a crucial role in allowing community elders to transfer history and culture to younger generations unaware of the struggles and sacrifices invested in removing racist barriers in America.
“Cultural institutions like the Knickerbockers serve a role in filling in the blanks for the younger generation and serve as a vehicle for ensuring that our young people remember where we’ve come from as a people and that there is an obligation to pay it forward for the future generations the same way others did for us and we are doing for them,” he said.
Retired New Haven Police Chief and Knickerbocker member Melvin Wearing agrees.
“No one knows our community better than we do and the Knickerbocker Golf Club is about simply more than golf. That was a starting point, the bigger idea was to pool resources and create a safe place that could have a positive and powerful impact on our community,” said Wearing.
“Without a doubt for the past 75 years, I do believe the Knickerbocker Club has done that and I don’t see that commitment ending any time soon,” added Wearing.
You are invited to attend our Gala Awards program on June 7, 2019 from 5 pm to 9 pm at Fantasia Banquet Facility located at 404 Washington Avenue in North Haven, CT.
This is a very special year for the Knickerbocker Golf Club, Inc. Founded 75 years ago we are excited and invite everyone to celebrate this illustrious Diamond Anniversary with you, our friends, members past, present and future.
We, the Knickerbocker Golf Club are very thankful to all who have made the long, wonderful, sometimes challenging yet awakening and awesome breathtaking journey with us for many years.
Our celebration is not merely a dinner and award celebration for we must all be aware of just how we are able to give something back to society and our community.
The Knickerbocker Golf Club Inc 75th Golf Tournament takes place on Saturday, July 27th @ Alling Memorial Golf Course located at 35 Eastern Street, New Haven, CT 06513 both entertainment and golf packages – and team entry are available by contacting
Mr. Willie Holmes @ 203-623-0601 or Wayne Ricks Sr @ 203-915-4758 or the Knickerbocker Golf Club @293-865-1431
For more information you may call 203*915*4758
A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Knickerbocker Scholarship Fund.
###
For More information on African Americans and golf visit the PGA Black History Timeline:http://www.pga.com/
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