Sifford receives 2007 Old Tom Morris Award

Charles Sifford accepts the Old Tom Morris Award from GCSAA President Sean A. Hoolehan.

Charles Sifford, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the first African-American to play on the PGA Tour, accepted the 2007 Old Tom Morris Award during today's Opening Session of the 2007 GCSAA Education Conference, Feb. 22, 2007.

As GCSAA's most prestigious honor, the Old Tom Morris Award is presented each year to an individual who “through a continuing lifetime commitment to the game of golf has helped to mold the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris.” Morris (1821-1908) was greenkeeper and golf professional at the St. Andrews Links Trust Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland; a four-time winner of the British Open (1861, '62, '64 and '67); and ranked as one of the top links designers of the 19th century.

Born June 2, 1922, in Kingwood, Texas, Sifford is a veteran of a tour of duty in World War II with the U.S. Army's 24th Infantry. As the first African-American on the PGA Tour, he endured ridicule and threats in breaking through the PGA of America's Caucasian-only clause in 1961. He won twice on the PGA Tour and also captured the 1975 PGA Seniors' Championship.

He was also an original member of the Champions Tour, and won the 1980 Suntree Classic in Melbourne, Australia.

As the 25th winner of the Old Tom Morris Award, Sifford joins a list of highly respected past honorees, including Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Tom Fazio, Gerald Ford, Bob Hope, Byron Nelson, Ken Venturi, Ben Crenshaw, Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, Nancy Lopez, Tim Finchem, Walter Woods, Pete Dye, Rees Jones and Jack Nicklaus.