DALLAS — Cedar Crest Golf Course’s renovations are complete, and the course is back open. Now, they are two weeks away from hosting their first big event -- the Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest. The golf tournament for amateur golfers will be nationally televised.
It only takes one to create opportunity. A statue of Dr. Charles L. Sifford has been added to the Cedar Crest Golf Course.
“He is the Jackie Robinson of golf. He’s the first African American to get his PGA Tour card and fought like hell to get it,” said Ira Molayo, Cedar Crest General Manager and Director of Golf.
The statue gives Molayo a heavenly feel.
“I grew up playing golf at Cedar Crest,” Molayo said. “To be on those same fairways where he walked, that great man and to be able to have young people walk those same fairways, for me to walk those fairways, it’s cyclical.”
The cycle continues. Cedar Crest, Southwest Airlines and other partners will host the Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest. It will take place Nov. 13-15.
“There has not been an event like this that has been created for Black golf in this way,” said Molayo.
A total of 42 players, both men and women, will compete in the tournament. The competitors represent more than 33 colleges and universities from 21 states. Half attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Four of the 42 are high school students.
“Golf is a sport that purposely was exclusive for many many years. Golf has made a shift to be more inclusive,” said Molayo.
Dallas City Council Mayor Pro Tem, Tennell Atkins, said that inclusion will help drive economic growth.
“You look at restaurants. You look at hotels. You look at transportation,” Atkins said. “The key is it’s going to show the southern part of Dallas.”
“We’re all standing on the shoulders of someone before us. I recognize that. I want to be a part of that," Molayo said. "The young people who come after me, I want them to do the same thing. This is how the world is going to be better."
The tournament is free to the public. To register, click here.
