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.)
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.