Aesop Robinson Golf Association
"State of the Association"

9 February 2000

To the Membership:

As President of the Aesop Robinson Golf Association I have been blessed with an outstanding Executive Committee and their many hardworking subcommittees. Because of them, I am pleased to report that as we enter this new millennium, the Aesop Robinson Golf Association is emotionally healthy, fiscally sound and very well prepared for the challenges of the New Year.

This statement is based on many new and varied Associations successes of the year just passed as detailed below.

The Association Recognized the Leading Pioneer for Black Golfers in the PGA

We began the year on the 6th of March by hosting an "Afternoon Chat with Charlie Sifford". Charlie openly discussed his life in golf and the many challenges and barriers he faced opening the PGA to Black Golfers. It was a joy to all who attended and the Association presented Mr. Sifford a lovely plaque that read in part, " Presented to Charlie Sifford ...in Appreciation for your many Outstanding Achievements in Golf and the Sacrifices you have made on Our Behalf."

First General Membership Meeting Set the Tone for a Successful Year

At our first General Membership meeting of the year in mid March, Morgan Kelly - a first year Activities Chairman - presented us with an outstanding Calendar of Events, which was successfully followed throughout the year.

Ernie Hall - Rules and Handicap Chairman - highlighted several rules designed to improve play and emphasized a recommendation for "Ready Play". Ernie followed up by providing each member a copy of the USGA’s Rules of Golf.

These and other business issues of the day established a consensus that we were going to have a fun year but that the business of golf and the Association would not be neglected.

A Memorial Site for Aesop Robinson

On the 15th of May under the able leadership of Garnet Vintes, Association Historian, we dedicated a Memorial Site of Honor to Aesop Robinson. The dedication ceremony was attended by the Robinson family, headed by his wife Gussie and son, Aesop Robinson Junior, along with a large contingent of Association members. Following the ceremony refreshments were served in the Clubhouse. 

The site is located adjacent to the 10th Tee on Ft Meade’s Parks Course. Please point it out to all of your playing guests and/or extend invitations for memorial visits.

Another Very Successful Junior Golf Program

During the month of July the Association, in coordination with the Ft Meade Golf Manager and his teaching staff, provided a month of twice-a-week golf lessons for fifty seven (57) boys and girls ages 8 through 17. Under the leadership of Lewis Anderson, Junior Golf Chairman, Sullivan Brown, and an average of seven Aesop members per session, a carefully designed program for teaching the basic skills of golf was conducted in the practice areas and on the courses. For the remainder of the summer (one afternoon each week), Association members supervised a variety of practice rounds and skill enhancement drills for program participants. An average of 16 to 20 junior golfers was in each session.

A successful solicitation of golf clubs for junior golfers without equipment yielded enough clubs for each needy participant to have at least three clubs of their very own. All of the clubs were sized and re-gripped by Course Management before being distributed. A special thanks to all who donated their time and/or equipment for such a worthwhile endeavor as the Junior Golf Program.

The Summer Tour and Annual Picnic

A well-attended Summer Tour took us to a number of new and challenging courses. All of us had to endure a blistering heat wave with average temperatures over 100 degrees daily. Courses played included:

Chesapeake Bay GC

Waverly Woods GC

The Bridges GC

The Links of Challedon GC

Springwood GC

Following the tournament, Ann and Garnet Vintes once again opened their palatial estate for our Annual Family Picnic. We owe much of the picnic’s success this year to Libby Randolph who solicited and arranged for member contributions of vegetables, deserts, and drinks. All of the Entrees were prepared by our "Chefs in Waiting" - John Jones (JJ), Lamont English, and Julius Conway. Our menu included Turkey, Ribs, Chicken, Fried Fish, Steamed Crabs, Sausages, Hot Dogs and Hamburgers along with just about every condiment one could imagine. We can never thank the three of them enough for their monumental effort)! The families seemed to enjoy their interpersonal exchanges, the games, the pool and just roaming the grounds while they ate and ate until all of the deserts were gone. A great time was had by all!

Recognizing Our Own

At the end of July, Mike Benham and Jesse Lovelace retired after more than twenty years of active military service in the United States Army. Association Certificates recognizing their years of outstanding and honorable service and welcoming them to the retirement community were presented to each of them

An Association Certificate was presented to Elizabeth (Libby) Randolph in recognition for her efforts to obtain required tee times week after week after week.

Ewing "Bud" Thomas was recognized as the oldest living Aesop Robinson Charter Member along with his lovely wife Ida. Each received an Association Certificate at the Annual Awards Banquet and Christmas Party. Mrs. Thomas was also presented with a large floral arrangement.

Membership Growth Continues

Under Sarah Joseph, Membership Chairperson, our membership has continued to grow. We currently have forty-five (45) Individual and Two Family Memberships.

A Financially Healthy Association

Under the watchful eye of Julius Conway, Association Treasurer, we can report a financially strong Association. At the beginning of the year an audit by Charles Washington and Lamont English reported no discrepancies and later our records were approved by the Ft, Meade Financial Management Office. Julius has professionally supported an aggressive budget throughout the year by automating our bookkeeping process.

An Active Demand for Chaplain Support

Al Jones, Association Chaplain has guided us through an extremely active year of recognition and support of birthdays, anniversaries, hospitalizations and the losses of our love ones. Throughout the year he has been imaginative, creative, and very businesslike in fulfilling duties as our Association Chaplain. His computer and design skills have allowed him to prepare special cards and Association Certificates that have delighted many recipients. Because of his activity we have received a number of Thank You cards and notes. Alfonza Jones leads us as we continue to offer support to the following families for their loved ones lost during the pass year:

• Jean Lomax and Family
• Lewis Anderson and Family
• Arthur Mallory and Family
• Michael Benham and Family
• Eric Mathews and Family
• Ewing Thomas and Family
• James Broady and Family.

We also wish two of our recovering members, Al Freeman and Ed Nance, God's speed in their return to the links.

Meals for Needy Families

Two complete meals for needy families were presented to a local minister for Thanksgiving distribution. Two more were presented to the Chaplain of the 6^th Armored Division for distribution to military families at Christmas. This was the Association’s first effort to make the holidays more pleasant for needy families identified by the Clergy.

Scheduled Play Scoring Results (Home and Home Tournaments)

• April 17, 1999: The Association defeated the Oxen Blades of Washington, DC, 13.5 to 9.5
• August 5, 1999: The Association defeated the Royals Golf Club, one of the oldest Black Golf Clubs in the United States, 13.5 to 3.5.

A period of fellowship and refreshments followed each of the tournaments and the return matches were deferred until renovation of their home course (Langston Golf Course in Washington, DC) is complete.

Sanctioned Association Events

• 1st Place (tie) Morgan Kelly and Jack McKoy - Net 65
• 2nd Place (tie) Lewis Anderson and Garnet Vintes - Net 65
• 3rd Place (three way tie)
  McClain Garrett and Rickie Agee - Net 66
  Sheldon Caudle and Robert Riddick - Net 66
  Dennis Adams and Arthur Mallory - Net 66

May 29 & 30, 1999 - Presidents Cup (36 Holes)

• 1st Place, Sullivan Brown [9 Handicap: 69, 68 — 137]
• 2nd Place, Lewis Anderson [15 Handicap: 69, 70 — 139]
• 2nd Place, Elizabeth Randolph [12 Handicap: 74, 65 — 139]
• 3rd Place, McClain Garrett [9 Handicap: 70, 71 — 141]
• 3rd Place, Sheldon Caudle [22 Handicap: 71, 70 — 141]

June 12, 199 - Four Person Team (Best Ball)

• 1st Place 282 Devon White, Morgan Kelly, Edward Vasquez, Johnnie Dowery
• 2nd Place 292 Ernest Hall, Morgan Kelly, Edward Vasquez, Joanne Brown
• 3rd Place 298 Arthur Mallory, Alfonza Jones, Thomas Dixon, Cecil Phillips

August 7, 1999 - Team Best Ball

• 1st Place 70 Michael Benham, Morgan Kelly, Eddie Nance, Richard Daniel
• 2nd Place 71 McClain Garrett, Arthur Mallory, Sheldon Caudle, Joanne Brown
• 3rd Place 72 Robert Riddick, Alfonza Jones, Garnet Vintes, Donald DeHaney

August 28 & 29, 1999 - Club Championship (36 Holes) Championship Flight

• 1st Place, Willie Hooten [21 Handicap: 62, 63 — 125]
• 2nd Place, Arthur Mallory [11 Handicap: 62, 68 — 130]
• 3rd Place, Robert Riddick [10 Handicap: 67, 66 — 133]
• Medallist
  Arthur Mallory [11 Handicap: 62, 68 — 130]

November 6, 1999 - Turkey Shoot Winners

Ernest Hall, Arthur Mallory, Elizabeth Randolph, Cecil Phillips, Frank Fennell, Richard Daniel, Alfonza Jones, and Willie Hooten.

The Awards Banquet and Christmas Party

On 6 December, at the awards banquet, Association members and their guests enjoyed a delightful meal that was artfully prepared and served buffet style by the Ft Meade Golf Course staff. We thank each of them. Winners of the Club Championship events identified above received their prizes. Selected Association Members were recognized and received Awards. The Association’s recently elected Executive Committee for the coming year was sworn into office. Each Association member received a token Christmas Present. And Then!! The Teri Swinton Band got D-O-W-N for the rest of the night. The Lady can really Sing! A great time was had by all.

For all of this we owe a heart-felt thanks to the Executive Committee and especially to Morgan Kelly, Activities Chairman, and his Committee.