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Recognizing and honoring the legacy of Charlie Sifford, the first African-American to play on the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour, who passed away on February 3, 2015.
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WHEREAS, Sifford was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1922 and worked as a caddy when he was thirteen. At seventeen, he moved to Philadelphia, where he played on municipal courses such as Cobb's Creek Golf Club; and
WHEREAS, Sifford competed in golf tournaments that were organized by black golfers that were, at the time, excluded from the PGA of America; and
WHEREAS, Sifford attempted to qualify for the PGA Tour in the 1952 Phoenix Open , but suffered from threats and racial abuse; and
WHEREAS, Sifford became a member of the PGA Tour in 1961 and became the first African-American to join the Tour; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Sifford became the first African-American inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Sifford received the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the GCSAA's highest honor; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, the Northern Trust Open created an exemption for a player who represents the advancement of diversity in golf, and it was referred to as the Charlie Sifford Exemption; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, United States President Barack Obama awarded Sifford the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Sifford passed away on February 3, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 92; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors the legacy of Charlie Sifford, the first African-American to play on the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour, who passed away on February 3, 2015.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Charlie Sifford further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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