Dr. George Simkins
Annual Fundraising Golf Classic


2024

I. Historical
Significance

II. Attendance
Information

III. Ticket & Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you for your support of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum.

This tournament is not only a fundraising event, but an opportunity to network and participate in a unique social experience that forms foursomes of diverse backgrounds. Diverse teams are encouraged.

We look forward to seeing you out on the greens!

I. Historical Significance
Defiant Round of Golf Sparks Lasting Change


On Dec. 7, 1955, two days after the beginning of the Montgomery, Ala., Bus Boycott, the longtime President of the Greensboro branch of the NAACP, Dr. George Simkins, along with five colleagues, placed the required 75-cent greens fee on the counter at the City-owned Gillespie Park Golf Course.

Against the demands of the manager, they played a 9-hole round of golf, defying the policy of racial segregation at the federally funded whites-only public facility. Later that day, each of them was arrested for trespassing.

Pursuing their cause for civil rights, against the charges, the trespassing case was ultimately lost in both the North Carolina and United States Supreme Courts, but Gov. Luther Hodges later commuted the sentences.

Concurrently, in a separate case that formed part of Dr. Simkins's larger strategy, the policy of racial exclusion at the golf course was held to be unconstitutional by the U.S. District Court and the Court of Appeals.

At an intervening stage in State court, the course had also been ordered to be desegregated, but its clubhouse had burned down two weeks before the ruling. The course was closed. Seven years later, after a campaign to reopen it, Dr. Simkins was the first to tee off.

"Citizenship in the United States imposes uniform burdens, such as paying taxes and bearing arms for the preservation and operation of our government. In like manner, whatever advantages or privileges one citizen in the United States may enjoy through his liberty becomes the constitutional right of each citizen and without regard to race, color or creed."
— Simkins v. City of Greensboro (M.D.N.C., 1957) 

*The Greensboro Six (from left to right: Phillip Cooke, Samuel Murray, Elijah Herring, Joseph Sturdivant, Dr. George Simkins, Leonidas Wolfe)

Photograph by Greensboro News & Record 

II. Golf Tournament Attendance Information

Ticket required for admission. Registration deadline is May 31.

Friday, June 7, 2024

Forest Oaks Country Club
4600 Forest Oaks Drive
Greensboro, NC 27406

Registration

Early Bird Registration 
(through May 22)
$125

General Registration 
(after May 22)

$150

Schedule

7:30 a.m. - Registration

8:30 a.m. - Shotgun Start

(Awards Luncheon immediately following tournament.) 

III. 2024 Golf Tournament Tickets & Sponsorships

Purchase Tickets & Sponsorships
Sponsorship Flyer

The Aces - Title Sponsor
$7,500

- 8 Player Slots
- Presence on all ICRCM Golf branding
- Presence on ICRCM website
- Tent on Hole of Choice
- Course Sign

The Condor
$5,000


- 
6 Player Slots
- Presence on ICRCM website
- Tent on Hole of Choice Logo on
- Hole Flag
- Course Sign

The Eagle
$2,000


- 4 Player slots
- Logo on ICRCM website
- Course Sign
- Logo on Hole Flag

The Birdie
$1,500


- 2 Player Slots
- Logo on ICRCM website
- Course Sign


Hole Sponsor
$400


- Sponsor sign on tee box 

Individual Player
$125

One (1) admission.