The Michigan & Florida Snowbirds hosted its 4th Annual Golf Match on January 31-February 1, on the prestigious Martin Downs Golf and Nation Membership in Palm Metropolis, Florida. The membership is owned by African Individuals, Stanley and Cheryl Campbell. The occasion SOLD OUT early January. The golf occasion began with a gaggle of Michigan Snowbirds want to get collectively on a weekly foundation to fellowship and play golf. The primary yr, the group made a $25,000 donation to assist a younger PGA circuit golfer of colour who had no sponsorship. The second yr, in gentle of the hurricane harm to Bethune Cookman-Cookman College, the Snowbirds made a $25,000 donation to assist the rebuilding of its golf program. Throughout yr three, a $25,000 donation was made to Cass Tech Excessive College, Detroit, MI.
After studying of the necessity to assist the constructing of a pipeline for African American golfers into Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities, the group is working with quite a lot of dedicated organizations to find out collectively, find out how to greatest make the most of funds from this occasion to assist this mission. Renee Fluker, CEO of Midnight Golf suggested that “The Snowbirds donation straight assist Midnight Golf’s mission of offering Detroit space highschool college students with entry to mentorship, school and profession steerage, together with life altering alternatives that form their futures for the higher”.
This yr the Snowbirds once more hosted members of the Cass Technical Excessive College (Detroit, MI) women’ golf group, who made historical past by changing into the primary Detroit group to qualify for the Michigan Excessive College Athletic Affiliation Division 1 Ladies Golf Match Championship, after having a golf group in place for under three years. The scholars have been excited to attend and take part (didn’t compete). Lisa Phillips, Principal of Cass Tech Excessive College, indicated “Cass Tech is appreciative of the monetary, non secular and mentorship that has been an eternal impression on the Cass Tech group.
The Snowbirds raised roughly $150,000 this yr to assist its mission. The funds raised from this yr’s occasion will assist the packages of Midnight Golf, First Tee, Cass Tech and the NAACP. Carl Bentley, CEO of First Tee Detroit indicated “the Michigan Snowbirds are a residing instance of how alternatives are created by golf”.
Main sponsors embody, AARP, Chemico, Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, Comerica Financial institution, Henry Ford Well being System, CIBC Financial institution, Ervin Coverage Group, Christy Partitions, Donald Manvel, Byna Elliott, Rosa Randolph and a protracted checklist of gap sponsors and in-kind donors.
Derrick Johnson, President of the Nationwide NAACP summed up the weekend by indicating “we mustn’t ever waver in our struggle to make sure various alternatives whether or not within the boardroom or on the golf course – can be found to those that have been historically disregarded. The generosity of the Snowbirds will go a good distance in serving to maintain that struggle.
About Michigan Florida Snow Birds, Inc.
The Michigan Florida Snowbirds is a 501-C3 group, with a mission of accelerating the alternatives for African American in golf.
About Martin Downs Golf & Nation Membership
Martin Downs Golf and Nation Membership was designed by legendary Treasure Coast Golf Architect, Charles Ankrom within the late 70’s. It’s located on 83 acres in Martin County, Florida. The Membership is owned by an African American couple, Cheryl & Stanley Campbell.
