Langston Magazine (Spring/ Summer 2022)

MAGAZINE FOR THE BENEFACTORS OF LANGSTON GOLF COURSE

VOL. 1 | SPRING/SUMMER 2022

STEPHEN BALDI MAKES CONCESSIONS Before becoming a thriving entrepreneur, Baldi faced three critical junctures

REMEMBERING

LEE ELDER

Those close to the golf great share their stories and discuss his profound impact on their lives

A LONG & WINDING ROAD: LANGSTON GOLF COURSE From a city dump to a historic refuge in the nation's capital

SPECIAL EVENT ISSUE! The Inaugural Lee Elder Memorial Golf Charity Classic Program Guide

IS THE PROUD GOLD SPONSOR OF THE

INAUGURAL

LEE ELDER

MEMORIAL MEMORIAL GOLF GOLF CHARITY CHARITY CLASSIC CLASSIC

11 APR

LANGSTON GOLF COURSE

tournament hosts THE INAUGURAL LEE ELDER MEMORIAL GOLF CHARITY CLASSIC STEERING COMMITTEE Tournament Director Honorary Chair Tournament Co-Chair Tournament Co-Chair Tournament Co-Chair Tournament Co-Chair Auction & Raffle Chair Finance Chair Gifts & Prizes Co-Chair Gifts & Prizes Co-Chair Golfer Co-Chair Golfer Co-Chair Marketing & Program Chair Operations & Logistics Chair PR Chair Sponsor Co-Chair Sponsor Co-Chair Volunteer Chair

Walter Kirkland Doug Williams Chip Ellis Marcus Johnson Keenan Towns Desiree Walker Tonya Cameron Derek Ford Kelli Baxter Lamont Baxter Delicia Gunn Wesley Webb Patrice Davenport Paul Spence Lennard Long Craig Dean George Hall Anthony Moore

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

CULINARY PARTNER

BRONZE SPONSORS

LANGSTON MAGAZINE EDITORIAL TEAM Publisher/ Art Director Staff Writer/ Editor Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Feature Writer

Patrice Davenport Michelle Morgan Elena McMillan Keith Andrew Perry Corey Quinlan Taylor

EXPERIENCE PARTNERS

455 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 226 (202) 412-3456 | langstongcc@gmail.com

Langston Magazine is a publication of the Langston Golf Course Conservancy WWW.FRIENDSOFLANGSTON.ORG/MAGAZINE

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

www.friendsoflangston.org

2022 GOLF TOURNAMENT

LANGSTON GOLF COURSE CONSERVANCY

SPRING EVENTS

GRAPES ON THE GREEN

THE MASTERS + MIMOSAS

INAUGURAL LEE ELDER GOLF CHARITY CLASSIC

Langston Golf Course | April 11, 2022

PRO

Proceeds benefit the Langston Golf Course Conservancy course improvement initiatives and the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club.

GRAM

9:00 AM Best Ball/ Shotgun Start

2022

3:00 PM Après-Golf Awards and Reception

7:30 AM Registration/ Grab'n Go Breakfast

12:00 PM Grapes on the Green Spectator Wine Experience

STATE OF PLAY Shotgun Start / Captain's Choice

All tournament players will begin at the same time, from an assigned hole on the course. Golfers will continue along the course in order from the hole where they began.

THE MASTERS + MIMOSAS The Point DC | April 10, 2022 The Langston Golf Course Conservancy welcomes you to the Official Pre-Tournament Honors Event benfiting Howard University Golf.

TOURNAMENT LEADERSHIP

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | BRUNCH

Network over bottomless mimosas and savory brunch items.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | RECEPTION

Mingle over cocktails and lounge beats!

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Tournament Director

Baker Family Wine / Flo Wine

Doug Williams Honorary Chair

Chip Ellis

Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club

Langston Junior Boys & Girls Golf Club enrollees receive highereducation scholarships and are recruited primarily from DC public schools and through private summer program relationships. Since its founding in 1990, the summer camp has grown to over 200 young people, aged 6-18. The Club provides each junior golfer with equipment, covers the cost of trips to tournaments and clinics, and offers its more senior members the opportunity to participate on the Club’s Golf Team.

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

Join our Master of Wines Jaryd Spann for a guided tasting of wine paired with gourmet items from Tony & Joe's.

Golf Clinic

Tournament Director Walter Kirkland will lead participating spectators through golf basics.

Tournament Co-Chair

APRÈS-GOLF AWARDS & RECEPTION

Marcus Johnson

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tournament Co-Chair

Contests

Keenan Towns

Putting Closest to the Pin Longest Drive

HONOREE RAYMOND SAVOY

GRAPES ON THE GREEN SPECTATOR EXPERIENCE

Walter Kirkland

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM | REMARKS

Conservancy Executive Director, Craig L. Dean will present the LGCC Lifetime Achievement Honor to Raymond Savoy.

Hole out for charity with Long Drive Pro Anthony Thomas at Hole 3!

Tournament Co-Chair

Awards and Acknowledgements

Thank you to our donors and award presentations

Desiree Walker

Cocktail Reception

Tournament Co-Chair

Golfers and guests will enjoy culinary delights from Timber Pizza and Founding Farmers, with Flo Wines.

www.friendsoflangston.org | 3

THE LANGSTON GOLF COURSE CONSERVANCY

LEE ELDER MEMORIAL INITIATIVE HONOR>

THE MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT The Conservancy's first goal to honor Lee Elder is being actualized through the Inaugural Lee Elder Memorial Golf Charity Classic to be hosted at Langston Golf Course with three goals in mind: to honor the memory of Black golf pioneer Lee Elder;

The Langston Golf Course Conservancy has identified three compelling initiatives it

to raise money for scholarships for the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club;

will undertake to posthumously

and to help fund Langston Golf Course improvement initiatives in collaboration

honor Lee Elder (1934-2021), who is credited with breaking

with course manager National Links Trust (NLT) and in partnership with other community organizations.

the color barrier in professional golf. Elder began golfing when the Caucasian-only clause barred Black players from competing on the pro tour.

After years of competing in the United Golfers Association (the equivalent of baseball's Negro Leagues) Elder became the first African American golfer to play at the Masters tournament in 1975.

Elder managed Langston Golf Course in the late '70s and early '80s, with the intention of raising the profile of golf in the Black community. He hosted the likes of basketball star Bill Russell, boxer Joe Louis, and entertainer Bob Hope. He lent his name and reputation to public golf in a historically Black community. Langston Golf Course remains a place of significance and pride for African Americans and the residents of greater Washington DC to this day.

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

REMEMBER >

RESPECT >

THE 13TH HOLE

LEE ELDER WAY

NLT worked with historically African American golf clubs from the DC area to rename each of Langston's 18 holes after a Black golf pioneer. The Conservancy seeks to raise funds to replace the dilapidated signage at Langston’s tee boxes with information about each golfer, par, map, and Langston's new logo. Hole 13 has been named after Lee Elder and the Conservancy will prioritize plans to work with NLT and other local organizations to raise funds to beautify and landscape the tee box and erect educational signage that venerates the golf great.

The Conservancy plans to work with the DC City Council to advocate for the introduction of a bill to rename the street where visitors enter the main parking lot of Langston Golf Course to "Lee Elder Way." The course is bound on the west by a short stretch of 26th Street NE that ends as it merges onto 22nd Street.

The renaming of this street would be done in acknowledgement of Lee Elder’s extraordinary public service, his exemplary contribution as a long time Washington resident, and his deep association with Langston and the surrounding community.

www.friendsoflangston.org | 4

WELCOME FRIENDS OF LANGSTON! CLASS OF 2021/2022 LaMont Baxter Leslie Branson Patrice Davenport Craig Dean Derek Ford Dexter Gaines Delicia Gunn Bernard Joseph Walter Kirkland Dallas Lea, MD Paul Maylone Robert Prince Joseph A.C. Smith Benjamin Soto Paul Spence Stephen Taylor, Esq. Robert Thorne Jason Zeigler Golden Decade Foundation

A SPECIAL THANK YOU! Hutchinson Design Group Reed Smith LLP Robert Brodie Ramona Harriet Peter I. May, Ph.D. Joy Sow (DIY.Design.DMV)

ORDER THE LIMITED EDITION 1975 CAP

Preorder a limited edition Lee Elder 1975 (The Masters) golf cap to support the Robert Lee Elder Trust. Caps will be shipped June 2022. While supplies last. $65 ORDER ONLINE AT: www.friendsoflangston.org/1975 PHOTO OF SHARON ELDER (2021) SAM GREENWOOD/ AUGUSTA NATIONAL

A SEASON FOR NEW BEGINNINGS! A Note from Craig Dean, Executive Director, Langston Golf Course Conservancy On behalf of the Langston Golf Course Conservancy, I am pleased to welcome you to our first Lee Elder Memorial Golf Charity Classic benefiting the historic Langston Golf Course in Washington, DC. Our inaugural golf tournament is named for the first African American professional golfer to compete in the prestigious Masters Tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA. In addition to recognizing Lee Elder for his pioneering accomplishments as a player on the PGA Tour, we are also commemorating his tenure as the Langston Golf Manager from 1978 to 1981.

Langston Golf Course stands as a shrine of African American achievement and perseverance on the banks of the Anacostia River in DC. It has survived many challenges and closures over the past 83 years. Thank you for your generosity which will ensure that this national treasure will be restored in an inclusive and sustainable manner that befits its iconic stature in the annals of golf history. In that regard, the Langston Golf Course Conservancy affectionately known as Friends of Langston was founded in 2020 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting environmentally responsible capital improvements, expanded youth programming and inclusive community development.

Thank you for supporting this worthwhile endeavor. Indeed, we value your participation and support as we enhance the legacy of Langston moving forward.

CONTENTS THE FRONT 9 3

SPRING 2022 EVENTS PROGRAM

4

LEE ELDER MEMORIAL INITIATIVE

5

EXECUTI VE DIRECTOR'S WELCOME

9

A LONG & WINDING ROAD: LANGSTON

THE BACK 9 13 NLT: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Q&A 17 FRIENDS SPOTLIGHT: JOSEPH A.C. SMITH 19 OUR COMMUNITY: RAY SAVOY & THE LANGSTON JUNIOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB 21 MEET A FEW OF OUR FRIENDS

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

STEPHEN BALDI MAKES CONCESSIONS Slowing down, even when forced, can have silver linings. / p14

REMEMBERING LEE FRIENDS & FAMILY REFLECT UPON LEE ELDER'S LEGACY

Cover: Lee Elder at Augusta National during the 1975 Masters. Photo by The Augusta Chronicle / p22

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LANGSTON GOLF COURSE CONSERVANCY!

A Long

. . . d a o R g n i d & Win

LANGSTON

By Keith Andrew Perry

...[T]hose of us who have played, loved, and revere Langston have an obligation to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to immerse themselves in its powerful legacy.' -Craig L. Dean Some call it a miracle, a former city garbage dump, turned Black golf mecca. Langston Golf Course has defied the odds since the beginning. Opening in 1939, during the Great Depression and built by two of FDR’s New Deal agencies, the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and WPA (Works Progress Administration), it was named for John Mercer Langston the first Black Congressman from Virginia, and first Dean of the Howard University School of Law. The name was fitting, as Langston was only the second racially integrated golf course in the nation’s capital and one of the earliest in the United States.

At first, the greens were not the verdant affairs of Congressional Country Club to its north and west or Army Navy Country to its south and west. According to Langston golfer lore, Golf balls were known to ricochet off rocks along the fairways, and the rough was a natural wetland native to Copperhead snakes.

Over the decades, the dusty course on the river’s edge has been a haven for cab drivers, and celebrities, college professors and valets, city councilmembers and even a President of the United States, making Langston golf course one of the most iconic urban golf courses in America.

TOP PHOTO | STEVEN MARCOS BOTTOM PHOTO | GETTY IMAGES

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

continued

www.friendsoflangston.org | 9

Langston Stands Strong When Langston opened to the public in 1939, World War II had not yet started, vast neighborhoods in America’s cities teemed with black people who had braved slavery, the great migration, and a nationwide economic collapse.

Today, when so many urban communities no longer hum with the beat of black advancement, but instead groan with the discordant sounds of displacement, activism, lamentations over the cultural whitewashing of neighborhoods, gentrification, and the decimation of historic sites--nowhere do these refrains resonate more than in the nation’s capital.

Several years ago, the nonprofit Cultural Tourism DC, added Langston Golf Course to its African American Heritage Trail. For some, the development of such trails in cities are signs of a coming cultural apocalypse.

The theory goes, that the signs represent a tacit acknowledgement that the people are no longer there to tell their own stories. If this is true, in this turbulent season of displacement, Washington’s Langston Golf Course may be the exception to the rule, still standing after a torrent of forces over the decades threatened its very existence.

Langston Golf Course created a safe space for the sport to take root in black America unencumbered by racist stereotypes and for iconic African American golfers Ted Rhodes, Jim Thorpe, Calvin Peete, and Lee Elder, it served as both training ground and haven. The course was attractive to future pros, weekend duffers and even celebrities like Heavyweight Champion, Joe Louis, tennis star Althea Gibson, football great, Jim Thorpe, President Gerald Ford, comedian Bob Hope, legendary crooner Billy Eckstine and those who would later achieve fame. like Herman Boone, the renowned

T.C. Williams High School football coach depicted in the film, Remember the Titans. Given this tremendous legacy, it is no wonder why Langston was added to the National Register of Historic places on October 15, 1991.

Langston was not without its challenges, however. Over the years, the beloved course endured challenges of almost biblical proportions including, two plane crashes, negligent maintenance, bankruptcy of the course manager, vandalism, a devastating fire which destroyed a storage building along with thousands of dollars of equipment and even living menaces like the rapacious nearby Canada geese. There were also numerous threats of closure of the facility including proposals to build a new DC jail, low-income housing, a freeway, a bridge, and a parking lot for a new football stadium; and sadly, in 1981, the saccharine sound of swatted golf balls was silenced, and Langston did close for a time.

Yet, in the midst of what seemed like impending doom, Langston’s penchant for survival was again revealed. Ultimately, there would be no parking lot built on the course, and Washington’s football team was forced outside of the city, and the bridge, jail and freeway plans were eventually scrapped. Free of public works projects, it was time for Langston to rise again.

Langston Rising The last two decades have seen some promising capital improvements at Langston and there is a sense among the DC golf community that the best continued

Keith Andrew Perry is a lawyer, writer, professor, and association executive. He is the author of the novel, War Anthem (2010). An avid golfer, he lives on Capitol Hill just minutes from Langston Golf Course.

may be yet to come for the venerable course. The next and most exciting phase of the lives of Langston has been the recent launch of the Langston Golf Course Conservancy, the most focused and organized effort yet to make permanent the legacy and promise of Langston. The Conservancy not only views the course as a national historical treasure, but also as a center of education and culture. The organization has lofty sites, according to its website, “the Langston Golf Course Conservancy seeks to be a neighborly partner in its vision to establish the surrounding community of the Langston Golf Course as a world class, preeminent golf destination which serves as a national model for urban revitalization, sustainability, and civic engagement.”

Paul Spence, Vice President of Operations of the Langston Golf Course Conservancy puts the mission this way, “our guiding principles are Stewardship, Preservation, Collaboration, Conservation, and Community. We want to work effectively with the community to

preserve the legacy of Langston and we believe our model provide some best practices in the preservation of African American historic sites and their surrounding neighborhoods. If we're right, we may have a model that can be replicated nationwide to ease the effects of displacement and that would be a legacy of which we can all be proud.”

Craig Dean, Executive Director of the Langston Golf Course Conservancy added, “We founded the Langston Golf Course Conservancy because we believe that those of us who have played, loved, and revere Langston have an obligation to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to immerse themselves in its powerful legacy--not simply by reading a historical plaque on some future condo development, but by playing the course, studying its history, and becoming a part of that history. We must preserve and protect our past, if we are to have a future and in so many compelling ways, what we are doing with Langston Golf Course, is emblematic of that ethos.”

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LANGSTON GOLF COURSE CONSERVANCY ON HOSTING THE 2ND ANNUAL MASTERS + MIMOSAS HONORS!

We Salute...

"FRIENDS OF LANGSTON" ON YOUR EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF THE LANGSTON GOLF COURSE

MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS CONSULTING GROUP IS A

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE FIRST LEE ELDER GOLF CHARITY CLASSIC!

WWW.MSCGINC.COM

9 9 s n o t i e s u Q e e Thr

T

Sinclair Eaddy Executive Director National Links Trust

NLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Q&A What makes Langston Golf Course important to you?

Its history and legacy of accessibility make it incredibly important to me. Courses like Langston allow diverse communities to participate in the game of golf. To preserve a place like this, and to improve it so it can better serve the local community, is an unparalleled opportunity.

Did you see an increase in golfer volume at Langston during the pandemic?

Undeniably, yes. The pandemic created an unprecedented opportunity for golf.

People were looking for ways to get out of the house and socialize in a safe, sociallydistanced manner, and golf provides that opportunity. We are so happy to see new faces at the golf course and grow the community of Langston.

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

Are there any infrastructure or planning updates you can share on Langston Golf Course?

Currently we are still in the planning phase with the National Parks Service. In order to comply with the vast environmental regulations, we are going through this process meticulously and alongside experts in a number of different fields. In the meantime, we are proud to be installing Toptracer technology at the driving range. This technology will provide a fun, new, interactive way to experience the game. Also, we are continuing to do great work alongside the Anacostia Watershed Society in removing invasive plant species to open up views of the water on the golf course and improve the surrounding environment.

www.friendsoflangston.org | 13

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Stephen at one of his airport Dunkin'® locations

STEPHEN BALDI

MAKES CONCESSIONS “We all need a friend like Delicia and a partner like Brandy, these connected Washingtonians approached me and shared the need for a food and beverage sponsor for the Langston Golf Course Conservancy’s inaugural tournament,” says Stephen Baldi also known as Coach B, Baldi, or Poppa. Before Baldi became a thriving entrepreneur, he faced three critical junctures which impacted his personal and professional trajectory: being passed over for a promotion; finally “realizing what is dear” (during the shutdown); and meeting his son Langston.

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

Stephen, will be the first to admit that he was not necessarily the best student. He would go on to receive a full-athletic scholarship to Georgetown University, where becoming a Business School major was one of the default degrees for many athletes. While at Georgetown, Stephen earned numerous triple jump titles between 1996-1998 and in 1997, he currently holds the Georgetown school record for the sprint medley.

After the disappointment of not making the Olympic Team, he began engaging in self-destructive behavior. At the age of

by Michelle McGruder Morgan Photo courtesy, Georgetown Magazine

“My life purpose is planting seeds in others, wanting to provide access and opportunities--a new anchor.”

www.friendsoflangston.org | 14

ENGINEERING | PROJECT MANAGEMENT | SOCIAL IMPACT

Dynamic Service Solutions congratulates the Langston Golf Course Conservancy for their dedication and continued commitment to the legacy and preservation of the Washington DC golf recreation network and our community.

Our mission is to ethically empower our partners to

Stephen with daughter Justice, at Boston Common

solve the world’s biggest challenges and achieve their biggest goals. We fulfill this mission by rapidly deploying solutions to consequential organizations no matter their level of need or complexity. www.dynamicservicesolutions.com

WWW.HEMPSULATIONLLC.COM

of 26, he met his 3 year old son Langston for the first time.

Langston, sparked a desire in him to take fatherhood seriously, while his niece Elizabeth, has been reared like a daughter and considers Langston like a little brother.

Stephen leased apartments in Springfield, VA where after being passed over for a promotion, he transferred to another property, where tenant Cynthia Garber, encouraged him to interview for a position that would triple his salary. He got the job, and set out to learn everything about the airport concession business from the ground up. In 2008, he launched. Baldi Management Group, an airport concession company specializing in food and beverage and retail concepts.

Things were progressing well until hitting the disruptive brick wall of the nearly two year pandemic--the silver lining: rediscovering family, friends, and the people who inspire him.

Taking a cue from former President Obama, Stephen now

opts to wear a uniform of sorts: black Air Jordan 1’s, blue jeans, and black shirts, each depicting a different quote, such as, “We ride together.” He avoids making everyday routine wardrobe decisions by grabbing one of his 30 custom shirts embroidered by friend and Mindful Graphics’ owner Tim Jones. In 2016, his family welcomed their daughter Justice Amari, whose name was inspired by the WPFW-FM tagline, “DC’s Voice of Jazz and Justice."

Feeling as though he has unfinished business in 2022, Stephen has directed his team to implement a new employee campaign called “Turn Up,” prioritizing growing skills and promoting from within.

Stephen’s personal mission aligns with a key tenet of the Langston Golf Course Conservancy, to increase capacity with young people and their families. “My life purpose is planting seeds in others, wanting to provide access and opportunities, a new anchor,” Baldi shared.

20 Years of Excellence!

FUTURE FORWARD STRATEGIES PROVIDING JOBS, INNOVATION TRAINING, & ECONOMIC GROWTH

JOSEPH A.C. SMITH

FINDING

INTENTION & AUTHENTICITY PHOTO BY SANTANNA HAYES LIBRARY AT THE “YOLO CHATEAU” (A.C.’S DMV HOME)

FOL SPOTLIGHT

Joseph “A.C.” Smith, spent a lot of time in 2020 journeying inward and questioning who he was, who he wanted to be, and how he wanted to show up and manifest the future he wanted.

Born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi, Joseph witnessed how once thriving and supported black-owned businesses got wiped away both physically and from our collective memory.

As a child, he experienced a lack of resources when presented with an opportunity to explore his interest in golf. Being the child of a single mother who couldn’t afford to miss a day of work to honor a gift given to him for golf lessons by a patient, Joseph took to a park across the street from his home with his golf clubs and spent his time hitting rocks instead of golf balls.

“A.C.” believes that divine orchestration presented him with the opportunity to learn about the history of Langston Golf Course and he quickly joined the Conservancy as a "Friend of Langston" in support NOMADIC | 24 LANGSTON MAGAZINE | 17

“...as a Friend of Langston, I believe that everyone has something to contribute, everyone has a story that will help contribute to the Conservancy’s mission..."

of its mission to revive its blighted but beautiful grounds. Hearing about the cultural heritage and history of Langston stoked his passion for supporting local children who play at Langston, to reach unprecedented heights, particularly in unconventional endeavors such as golf. A.C. relates his interest in Langston to the premise of realizing the pinnacle of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-actualization which refers to the the process by which an individual reaches his or her full potential.

In 2006, Joseph initiated several programs in his home state designed to help young people live more purposeful and joyous lives. His work caught the eye of Mayor Philip West who presented him with the Outstanding Citizen of Natchez Award.

Today, Joseph's vision has expanded to the launch of nonprofit BlackNatchez.org, which aims to breathe life back into the history of African Americans in Southwest, Mississippi and restore Natchez’s historic Black neighborhoods. He is close to finalizing the purchase of a historic property in Natchez called the

Guest House, an antebellum mansion built in 1842 which was up close and personal with the institution of American slavery. Joseph is on a mission to reclaim the place of African Americans in American history from a triumphant perspective, eschewing the singular trope of trauma and inhumanity. He sees the parallels of the unique story of Langston Golf Course which was built for African Americans on an abandoned landfill site, but is beloved nonetheless.

Being a “Friend of Langston” resonates with his own beliefs about the journey of friendship. Joseph shared, “I wouldn’t be the man that I am today without really good friends.

Friendship is equally as important as family and when the friendship is true and deep, your friends become an extension of your family.” He added, “as a Friend of Langston, I believe that everyone has something to contribute, everyone has a story that will help contribute to the Conservancy’s mission, and when that story is heard and validated--the world often opens up in a miraculous way.”

TOP: The Guest House (Bed and Breakfast), Natchez, Mississippi | MIDDLE: Getting into Good Trouble with the Honorable John Lewis | BOTTOM: National Museum of African American History and Culture during the Prayer Walk for Peace and Justice (2020)

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RAY A

SAVOY

MAN

APART

Words Corey Quinlan Taylor Photo Patrice Davenport Location Riggs Hotel (DC)

For Raymond A. Savoy, mentorship comes naturally, whether through coaching golf to local youth or while enjoying a croissant and jam during a quiet weekday lunch. He entered the Riggs Hotel restaurant with a calm demeanor, introducing himself as Ray, or Mr. Savoy as his presence compels without request.

After a few moments of conversation, it becomes abundantly clear that he lives a life where the basics of unselfishness, love, and grace have created a solid foundation of character. “I learned my unselfishness through mentors,” Mr. Savoy said. “In the realm of sports, in the realm of life, and the realm of dos and don’ts in the world we live in, as I see it now.” It is this unselfishness and spirit of service which fuels Mr. Savoy in helping more than twenty thousand youths for more than 30 years, through golf coaching, mentorship, and gaining access to higher education. That sense of giving and guidance began at an early age for the D.C.born resident.

As the fourth of eight siblings, four girls and four boys, Mr. Savoy’s household was one of caring.

“That was the key to our foundation,” he said.

“Love.” While growing up in the Catholic faith, he was taught the importance of respect; not just for elders, but for the brothers and sisters of friends as well. Mentorship began early for him; at age thirteen he was recruited as a junior

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

counselor at a summer camp that usually bestowed such roles to sixteen and seventeen-year-olds. Across his near eighty years of life, Mr. Savoy also sees blessings as a consistent part of his being.

“It is a blessing; everything I look at as a blessing, as I think back,” he said. “Of the upbringing and the things, I’ve been through in my career. As a semi-professional basketball player, professional baseball player with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Those things were meaningful at the time, but as I think back, I saw something that the Lord had set up for me and guided my path in it.” continued www.friendsoflangston.org | 19

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LANGSTON JUNIOR BOYS AND GIRLS GOLF CLUB

Speaking of blessings, lunch arrived at our table of four, and as we reached for our silverware, a request was made in the most gentle of ways. “If y’all don’t mind.”

Mr. Savoy bowed his head, and we followed suit, without the least hesitation. A blessing was made for the lunch we had, and he relayed this into the importance of giving thanks.

“I’d like for you guys to write down, memorize, or what not, two words: Thank you. Start with telling Him, ‘Thank you.’ We get busy, we get in the rat race, we get this was – runnin’. And we never took timeout to thank Him. Believe me, I’m a man who’s experienced such inner pleasure and subtleness of inner being when I tell Him just ‘Thank you.’ And I try to transcend that down to the people I meet.”

Golf and Life Lessons Mr. Savoy’s journey as a golf coach began in 1989, while he worked for DC Parks and Recreation. Back then, he worked with local kids, taking them out and having fun. It was through these activities that he fell in love with golf. “The traditional sports for blacks were football, basketball, baseball,” he said. “And my mind said, ‘You’re trying to hit this little white ball sittin’ still, are our kids capable of doing that?’ They were hesitant, but once they hit the ball, ‘Oh, this is fun!’”

But it wasn’t enough to just have fun with golf, Mr. Savoy understood the importance of learning about the game’s complexities, before teaching it to others. “A good process, at my younger age, was learn to know your subject matter.

The process of learning what you know, how you know, and how you can expand and build on it is important. It’s like the old expression, ‘To thy own self be true.’”

"Looking sharp, nice slacks, pretty shirt, your cap, then you feel sharp."

Mr. Savoy retired in 1994, the same year he got certified as a professional golf instructor. He took the written and physical components of the test, which also included playing to achieve a certain score. After this, he received his professional golf instructor card from the United States Golf Teachers Federation.

However, it wasn’t enough for Mr. Savoy to get certified; he also wanted to learn the advanced technical aspects of the game. So, he signed on for the master’s component of the certification, he took the test again and wrote a thesis related to golf entitled “Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp.”

He described his thesis while spreading jam and butter on his croissant. “You remember the

boxing term? ‘Enter Gillette in the ring’ – before you get into the ring, look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp,” Mr. Savoy said. “I wrote my thesis on that. One of the ring announcers made that slogan really popular, back during the old days. The Gillette advertisement was ‘look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp.’ I used that in relation to my master’s thesis because in golf appearance matters. Looking sharp, nice slacks, pretty shirt, your cap, then you feel sharp. And if you think about it, looking sharp and feeling sharp, now we get to it.”

Building Character & Trust Before his certifications, Mr. Savoy was well aware of the characterbuilding lessons of golf. “Well, that came along at my early years in DC Parks and Recreation,” he said.

“Learning to have certain skills and being able to transfer those skills onto my younger ballplayers. But remember, I was taught growing up learning to go beyond hitting a baseball, shooting a basket.

Learning to be gracious, learning to accept defeat as graciously as the wins. And be gracious enough to say it, in other words, a teaching moment. You’re not gonna win every time, in golf you’re not gonna always get that hole in one; you’re not gonna make that putt every time. But the reverse of it is, ‘Hey, I’m out having a nice time, I’m enjoying the day.’ Small things.” continued

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

www.friendsoflangston.org | 20

FOL MORE THAN DONORS

FRIENDS OF LANGSTON PROVIDE VITAL RESOURCES TO HELP CARRY OUT THE MISSION OF THE LANGSTON GOLF COURSE CONSERVANCY STEPHEN TAYLOR, ESQ.

JOSEPH THIEMAN, ESQ.

LA'MONT BAXTER

Becoming a DC lawyer provided a seamless transition to Stephen's evolution as a political junkie. The avid scuba diver and bicyclist began supporting the Conservancy after feeling inspired by the passion of the leadership team and the mission to preserve Langston as a revered historic asset. The New York native has spent 20 years in public service, with a focus on financial services regulation, employee benefits, and taxation law. His favorite mantra comes from football coach Don Shula, “strive for perfection, but settle for excellence.”

Joseph's interest in the Conservancy's work was piqued after watching a Golf Channel documentary on Langston and learning of how this course provided a safe haven for Black golfers during and after Segregation. The Vienna, VA native, is a Partner at a corporate law firm in the San Francisco-Bay Area, and looks forward to his children one day enjoying golf--the game he loves so much. His favorite quote from Mother Teresa reminds us, “you must live life beautifully.”

Mr. Thieman is also a supporter of the Special Olympics.

La’Mont understands the role that investing time and money has in securing one’s future, so becoming a Friend of Langston was a natural fit for him. As an avid black golfer, La’Mont is familiar with the legacy that Langston holds for present and future generations. A native Washingtonian and former U.S. Marine, “Bax” also enjoys sailing while listening to Diana Krall. He loves hanging out with wife, Kelli, and their beagles, Sammy and Abby. His favorite quote, “start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible,” Francis of Assisi.

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Savoy, continued...

That awareness of these life lessons soon expanded beyond coaching golf. And in 1994, Mr. Savoy founded the Langston Junior Boys & Girls Golf program, named after the Langston Golf Course and Driving Range, one of D.C.’s first golf course for African Americans. The program received 501(c)(3) status. “Along with hitting the ball, putting the ball, and why you’re doing it; I said, ‘Ray, you gotta educate these kids minds, as far as books.’

And so, you move into a totally different realm. I established the Langston Junior Boys & Girls Scholarship Fund. And since ’94, we’ve been able to give out financial support to our kids.”

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

Today, with the aid of mentors, the Langston Junior Boys & Girls Golf program hosts five or six groups of approximately 15 youth, that meet once a week at the Langston Golf Course. Mr. Savoy receives no financial compensation for his time with the program.

Even when he’s not mentoring, Mr. Savoy still manages to set aside time to play with his crew, despite the loss of sight in his right eye. He gave a soft chuckle from across the table. “They say, ‘Man, you not gone beg for any ups or what not?’” and I said, ‘Naw! All I wanna do is find my ball so I can hit it again!’”

Even with eyes that aren’t quite what they used to be, Mr. Savoy will look sharp, feel sharp, and be sharp, while mentoring and playing.

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THE FIRST BLACK GOLFER INVITED TO PLAY AT THE MASTERS CHANGED THE LIVES AROUND HIM BY | Corey Quinlan Taylor PHOTO | Lee Elder during the 54th Senior PGA Championship, at the PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, 1993.

LANGSTON MAGAZINE

Trailblazers aren’t often known for being kind people. They push themselves and others, they practice continuously, and are usually more interested in breaking barriers than making friends – and Heaven help you if you ask for an autograph. Lee Elder flipped this narrative in the world of golf, by changing history while still extending kindness to family, friends, and strangers.

Those in the golf world know his accomplishments. He was the first black golfer to play in the Masters in 1975 and was the first black golfer to play in the Ryders Cup, in 1979. He was presented with the Bobby Jones award in 2019 and

received several honorary doctorates – one most recently from Paine College, a historical black college in Augusta, Georgia. And in 2021, the Augusta National Golf Club announced the Lee Elder scholarships at Paine College, in his honor. Lee Elder passed away in November of last year, at the age of 87.

This renowned PGA member of 45 years had other accomplishments that are less globally known, but still revered in the hearts of others.

Non-family members were endeared so much by him that they called him “Uncle Lee.” Others knew him for his humor and his humility. He joyfully

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greeted fans and was respected by his golfing contemporaries, including the likes of Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. This was Lee Elder – the kind man, the good man.

GOLF SKILLS TO LIFE SKILLS His stepdaughter, LPGA golf coach and author, Dori O’Rourke witnessed first-hand the love that Lee Elder had for others. “Oh my gosh, he’s amazing,” she said. “I was always very, very impressed – always. I saw him always be kind, thankful, and go out of his way for photos, wherever he was. If we went into a restaurant, if we were off at a golf tournament – of course, he was inundated there. Just in life, people sent him things to autograph. He really was a kind big-hearted man who loved making people feel good. And he really enjoyed being in a position where he could do that. Absolutely!

If I could put a word on it, he was just really grateful – for everything.”

Dori’s mother married Elder in 1995, and she had known him three years prior to her mother’s wedding with him. Dori noted the beliefs Elder held in how the disciplines of golf could shape the characters of others, especially young African Americans.

“I wouldn’t know all his exact words here, but I hosted some clinics with him for the Boys & Girls Clubs, as a pro myself I would do quite a bit of the talking while he would do demonstrations and things like that,” she said. Dori added, “So as far as that in relation to African American kids, I think his big thing was just wanting them to have the same opportunities as everybody. His big charitable cause, what he cared about the most, was breaking through barriers and giving everyone similar opportunities. To him, golf absolutely changed his life and gave him such an incredible life. He wanted to share his love and passion with others, especially African Americans and under-served kids. Just making sure everyone had the same opportunities.”

"UNCLE LEE" Lee Elder had a way of drawing others into the world of golf by his patience, humor, and gregariousness.

Auctioneer Tonya Cameron remembered her first encounters with him when she was a hair stylist, in the salon of his sister-in-law’s, from his first marriage. “All his real nieces and nephews called him Uncle Lee, so we at the hair salon called him Uncle Lee, because we were all the same age at the same time,” she said.

PHOTOS COURTESY Tonya Cameron / Dori O’Rourke (Below)

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In the 1980s, Lee Elder had hosted his celebrity pro-am golf tournament every year. Tonya was one of the hair stylists at the events, which took place at Hilton Head, South Carolina and Pinehurst, North Carolina. “They were really wonderful events, more like productions,” Tonya said. “And that’s where I first got introduced to the game of golf. Just the whole golfing world.” It wasn’t just a golf tournament, but it was also an elaborate fashion show with celebrity golfers as the models. She had the opportunity to style their hair and have an amazing golfing weekend, and attend a signature gala event, each time.

Though Lee Elder was not the only person who taught her golf lessons, Tonya recalled the hilarity in teaching her how to swing her club. “Um, I remember him telling me one time it’s not a baseball bat,” she chuckled. “That I remember was kinda funny. And to drop my shoulder; I just always had a problem, like almost wanting to do more baseball – swinging on the golf club. Lee was a really a funny guy, everyone loved him. Great energy.

Willing to help anybody. He taught many people to golf, not just myself, and I can’t say that he was my one-on-one instructor. I can’t go so far as to say that.

But he left his footprint with a lot of us.

Those that wanted to know.”

BOTTOM PHOTO 1974 photo of golfer Lee Elder, already 40 years old when he made history as the first Black player to tee off at the Masters--so many of his prime years squandered by the scourge of racism. (AP Photo/File) LANGSTON MAGAZINE

Tonya noted how Elder tried to expose as many people of color to golf who wanted to know. In fact, she remarked on why golf holds significance for members of the black community, especially the Langston Golf Course, in Washington, D.C. “It really is part of the fiber of D.C. for black golfers, because from what I understand it was basically just a ” dumpsite at one point in time where only folks of color could play. And so that, in and of itself, speaks of the historical significance of what it is. Many great golfers have played there, such as Calvin Peete, Charlie Sifford – people of that caliber, James Black. So it is pretty much, I would say, part of the unofficial ‘Green Book,’ so to speak. Where only we could really only go and play. So, it’s an incredible landmark that needs to have more light shined on it; just a really important part of our nation’s capital.

Between the golf sessions and friendship, Tonya would catch up with Elder and occasionally step into the presence of his famous colleagues and friends. The last time they saw each other being a couple of years ago. “I saw him in 2019, because we would all go to Christ Tucker’s celebrity golf tournament. It’s always in Atlanta. I could tell he was starting to have some health issues, but he was still out there and golfing. Being his typical Lee self. He just had a really big heart, just an extremely giving man.”

RESPECT AND CASUALNESS AMID STARDOM When Tiger Woods competed and won his first Masters competition in 1997, Lee Elder was among the spectators. Tiger, on multiple occasions, let it be known his respect for Elder. “They had a very great relationship,” Dori said. “I loved that Tiger really gave thanks to Lee and talked about Lee paving the way for him and others. And not just Lee, others as well. I think Tiger and others really had great respect for Lee. They get what a challenge it was for Lee coming up, what he did. True barrier breakers, and it’s not an easy road.”

Tonya recalled a humorous experience she shared with Elder and another famous athlete – Michael Jordan. “He was down to earth, not a pretentious bone in his body,” Tonya said of Elder.

“Michael Jordan was at one of Lee’s tournaments at the time. And sponsors give you cars to drive. We were going to the night club from the hotel – and Michael was driving. I was in the car and Uncle Lee was in the back. So, when we pulled up it was packed – no parking, and the state trooper was like, ‘move it, move it move it.’” Tonya paused. “The state trooper looked in the car and saw Lee and Michael and the trooper said, ‘Park it right there!’ And they both looked at me and said, ‘yeah, we got a little clout.’ I said ‘I guess you do!’”

Lee definitely had clout, but he rarely felt the need to show it off. That’s how the best trailblazers do it.

TOP PHOTO | Elder made his Masters debut in 1975 at Augusta National/ Lou Krasky, (AP Photo/File)

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