PITTSBURGH DUFFERS CLUB MEMBER “ROCK” ROBINSON PRESENTS AN AWARD TO MURIEL FOX IN MEMORY OF HER FATHER, GERALD FOX, ON AUG. 10.
On Saturday, Aug. 10, Pittsburgh City League Hall of Famer and “Champions Live” Sports Talk Show Co-Host Robert “Rock” Robinson invited me to cover a very special event: the celebration of the Pittsburgh Duffers Golf Club and recognition of Mr. Gerald Fox, one of the original founding fathers of the club. Mr. Fox was the husband of the late, great, Alma Speed Fox.
Of course my initial reaction came into play…if there’s one sport I know zero to nothing about, it’s golf. (Yeah, I know some of you who read my column on the regular suggest that I don’t seem to know much about football or basketball, either…some even wonder if I actually ever played! Of course, you all know that jealousy is one of the deadly sins.) Gamer that I am, I took on the assignment for the New Pittsburgh Courier realizing that a parallel in historic timing would assuredly co-exist. As it turns out, it proved to be the best decision I made for covering a story all summer. A great opportunity and tremendous learning experience to be sure.
First and foremost, a tip of the “golf cap” to members of the Pittsburgh Duffers, who welcomed me with open arms and a great rooftop cookout. It was really like coming home. Many of the guys were former business associates and competitors from other sports…alas, when we all were young!
SOME OF THE TEENS IN THE “FIRST TEE” PROGRAM.
Secondly, upon arriving I was reminded that it had been years since I worked for CitiParks that I had been to the club, now known as the Bob O’Connor Golf Course, in Schenley Park. It should be noted that the club has taken on magnificent changes and remodeling in the memory of the former mayor. (I am proud to say both he and son, Corey, have been longtime supporters of my agencies, Champions Association and Achieving Greatness Inc.)
I was then introduced to the history of the club and its objectives by Eric Kulinna, PGA Director of Golf and Player Development and First Tee Coach Martin King-Smith, Manager of Community Integration and Lead Caddie Mentor.
A major part of the day’s event as well as the past several summers was to continue to grow the club’s youth programs that further encourage young African Americans to learn to play the game. And more importantly, investigating becoming a caddie through their club’s initiative for the love of the game, as well as being paid to caddy. All along the way, learning lessons that will help them navigate the game of life while mastering the increasingly difficult game of golf, such as character building, timeliness, responsibility, helping others…and more specifically as the pros say, SHOW UP, KEEP UP, SHUT UP! (Don’t worry, it’s a golf thing, just go with it.)
The program is entitled “First Tee” and is available for boys and girls ages 13-17 years old. Not only will they learn the game, playing and/or caddying, but they can earn upwards of $30-$90 a day, $30 per nine holes. For more information about the First Tee Program, please call Martin King-Smith at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course.
PITTSBURGH DUFFERS PRESIDENT BRENAN JACKSON, RIGHT, WITH VICE PRESIDENT BO WADDELL, LEFT.
The continued update of the Pittsburgh Duffers Golf Club came via current President Brenan Jackson and Vice President Bo Waddell, both of whom echoed the desire to maintain and grow the rich tradition of the Duffers and what the club has meant to Pittsburgh, Western Pa. and the nation for not only its rich history, but the role it has played in the nation’s Black history, helping to integrate players into the game as well as their community-based contributions.
Mr. Waddell also noted that along with that history remained the responsibility to continue to tell “the stories” of the journeys, both good and bad, and continue to be told and retold and speak truth to the history of the game.
LEGENDS OF THE GAME REMEMBERED…THE ORIGINAL PITTSBURGH DUFFERS
Most importantly, the afternoon included a special salute to Mr. Gerald Fox, one of the original founding fathers of the club in 1952 and all those who were a part of establishing this historic organization.
The award was accepted by his daughter, Muriel Fox, the well-known and successful executive and educator. Ms. Fox accepted the recognition award for her father along with her sister, Wesley Fox McLoud, and children, Jada N. Alim and Francis J. Alim.
The perfect and heartfelt afternoon was capped off with great fellowship and great food. And I enjoyed great conversation with the legendary “Daddy Wo” Womack. At 85 years young, the Alabama transplant still lights up the course, having shared the links with the likes of Arnold Palmer, Calvin Peete, and Charlie Sifford. When “Daddy Wo” comes on, you simply say play through!
Job well done, Duffers.
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