Lee Elder Kicks Off New Golf Program In Atlanta

By Michael Sanders
Special to Onnidan Online

Atlanta's Paschal's restaurant was the backdrop and kickoff for a new minority golf initiative. "Tee It Up For Success" is the name of the program and its' sponsor is none other than Coca-Cola Enterprises.

Atlanta's golf community was first to hear about this new program, and its spokesperson, golfing legend, Lee Elder. "The program will travel to the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's), talking to the golfers and providing clinics about opportunities an success in golf, and life after golf" said Greg Calhoun. Greg is the Chief Executive Officer of Calhoun and Associates a consultant to Coca-Cola and partnering with them on this program.

Greg also mentioned "The program is designed to encourage kids that education is important, and to give them a first hand experience of Lee Elder's life and other African-American golfers who was out there opening the doors for the Tiger Woods of today".

"This event came together rather fast", laughed Greg. He worked out the details for the program with Carl Ware - Executive Vice President at Coca-Cola and also an avid golfer. "We wanted to start the tour in Atlanta because it is Coca-Cola's hometown, and we needed to get Atlanta's minority golf leadership involved. We contacted Willie Burkes-Program Director for the Georgia Foundation for Minority Golf (GFMG), and also the Head Golf Coach at Spelman College- to get the ball rolling", said Greg. "Willie did a great job in a very short period of time putting this event together," added Calhoun.

Coach Burkes contacted all of the AU-Center coaches, as well as Sam Puryear of East Lake Junior Golf Academy, Sedrick Jackson-Head Pro at Sugar Creek Golf Course, and Lajean Gould of the Women in Golf Foundation. "Once I found out about the program, and that Lee Elder was involved, I did everything I could to assist Greg and his staff at Calhoun and Associates," Burkes explained.

C. Randy Humphrey of Coca-Cola greeted the audience and was excited about the relationship with Lee Elder. "This tour and the golf clinics are a great way to expose golfers at the HBCU's and junior golfers to one of the greatest African-American golfer whoever lived," he said.

Of course the highlight of the event was the great Lee Elder himself. Lee Elder was the first African-American golfer to play at Augusta in The Masters Tournament. Lee was thrilled with the tour, and expressed that the ability to be able to keep going back to the different communities is really what interested him. "This is not a one shot deal," Elder said. "We have to keep coming back and exposing the youth and HBCU golfers, that gives them a better chance to succeed at it," "There is a lot of potential in Atlanta and around the country, we will teach golfers correct fundamentals to increase their chances of success," Lee also went on to say "In time I believe that we can increase the HBCU golfers making the jump to the different professional tours".

Everyone in attendance was surprised when another golf legend, Charlie Sifford walked in the room and embraced Lee Elder. Sifford who did not have his trademark cigar "Because they don't allow smoking in here," he said to the amusement of those in attendance.

Both Elder and Sifford stated that they are glad the kids of today don't have to go thru what they did while plying pro golf. "It was very uncomfortable playing at courses that they didn't want you to play," "It was tough times when you could play at a course but you had to change your shoes in the car, or couldn't go in the clubhouse to eat," Elder said, with Sifford nodding in total agreement. "But thanks to guys like Teddy Rhodes, my buddy here Sifford, and myself, who stayed the course and made sure that things changed," its wonderful that the kids of today

The following day the "Tee It Up For Success" program gave a successful clinic at the First Tee at White Park. The AUC golf teams were all well represented. Elijah Walker who played competitively against Lee Elder had his men and women team from Clark-Atlanta University in attendance.

Elder spent a great deal of time speaking with the students about preparation, and concentrating on their goals. He also spoke to them about what it takes to compete on the pro level. "We just don't get people of Mr. Elders statue to speak to our students and give them tips on their game," said Coach Burkes of Spelman College. "I believe this is a great program because all of the college and junior golfers will benefit from being exposed to Mr. Elder," Burkes continued as Elder signed golf balls, caps and autographed books that the large crowd brought up to him.

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