"Thank You" From Mrs. Gussie Robinson
	Charlie Sifford
	Former ARGA Member Named District Attorney
	Our Origin: A Catalyst For Change
	ARGA Inaugural Invitational Golf Tournaments
	ARGA Club Formation

"Thank You" From Mrs. Gussie Robinson

[The following information is an extract from a fax sent to me by Mrs. Gussie Robinson on February 11, 2000.  I had talked with her earlier about the web site and wanted to get her permission to include in this web site information about the circumstances surrounding her husband's death.  In summary, she stated that the information published herein gave her a sense of "closure."  Further, that it was important for her to finally be able to understand from a rational state of mind the acute sense of foreboding she experienced that afternoon and to associate it with eye-witness details and descriptions of what happened.]

Date:    February 11, 2000
To:       Mr. Willie Hooten - ARGA Webmaster
From:   Gussie M. Robinson
Ref:      Information for ARGA Website

Dear Mr. Hooten:

Thank you for sharing this information with me.  It seems that I am blessed over and over again by the out pouring of kindness by those who knew my husband "Robbie" and those who never knew him, but heard of him and the unfortunate event on October 9, 1978.

Yes, many of those who were with him on that fateful day, called or came to comfort or speak words of condolence to me and my family after this occurrence.  However, at that time the grief was so great and the pain so intense that I looked but could not see, listened but did not hear.  There were too many unanswered questions and I knew not the answers.  The identification of "John Doe" caused me to think that he had died alone or among strangers.

It wasn't until I returned home, after taking his body to Florida for burial, that Garnet Vintes, his wife Laura and their baby daughter came to my home and sat down and told me the story of how everyone with him did their best to help him; that the incident was so shocking that everybody left the golf course and went home grief-stricken.

The members of the Aesop Robinson Golf Association have proven to me and my family, over and over again, that Aesop was with not only friends, but a fine group of loving and caring people who are determined to see that this kind of tragedy never happens again.  There is definitely a "bonding" with this group that nourishes friendship.

Again, thank you, Willie.  I look forward to surfing the web site and informing my children, his brothers and sisters and or anyone else who may be so inclined to know these facts.

Sincerely,
Gussie M. Robinson

Comments:  "Thanks a Million!  The information is great!"

Charlie Sifford   [ Back to Top ]

On March 6, 1999, at the Clubhouse, the Aesop Robinson Golf Association was extremely proud to present to the Fort Meade, Maryland, golfing community - an author, entertainer, and a true legend of Black Professional Golf - Mr. Charlie Sifford.  Without the help and friendship of Russell <sic>, Olivia <sic>, Russell Jr., <sic>, "Rusty" Crockett, and Eric Yeager, this historical opportunity would not have been possible.

Mr. Sifford charmed us with his humility and stories of how  he managed to stay focused on his goals as a professional golfer. Mr. Sifford talked at length about his experiences with racism and answered numerous questions from the audience. He also graciously signed autographs for all of us purchased a copy of his book - "Just Let Me Play."

Excerpt from "Vicksburg Evening Post"   [ Back to Top ]

Wednesday, February 13, 1991
By Fred Messina, Staff Writer

 
Vicksburg Lawyer Named District Attorney

Gov. Ray Mabus Tuesday appointed Vicksburg lawyer Robert L. Moran [former ARGA member] District Attorney for the Ninth Circuit Court District. He will be the state's first black district attorney. Moran, 49, succeeds Frank Campbell of Vicksburg as the prosecuting attorney for the district that covers Warren, Sharkey, Issaquena and Claiborne counties. Campbell announced Jan. 4 his resignation effective Friday from the office he has held for 10 years. Campbell, 42, will re-enter the private practice of law with Teller, Martin, Chaney, Hassell and Williford of Vicksburg.

Moran, currently practicing with the law firm of Winfield and Moran of Vicksburg, is a native of Vicksburg and received his college education at the University of Maryland. He received an associate's degree in criminal justice and later while in the U.S. Army, returned to the College Park campus for his bachelor's degree in sociology and to the law school in Baltimore for his law degree.

While in the Army for 23 years, Moran was a special agent in military intelligence, performing security investigations, sabotage investigations, and investigations dealing with the suitability of people for certain military jobs. He left the Army as a Warrant Officer. Before his retirement, he was officer in charge of the Command Security Office of the Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Meade, MD. While in the service, he served at a number of stateside and overseas posts, including Fort Polk, LA, Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Rucker, AL, Korea, Vietnam and West Germany.

After his retirement, Moran stayed in Maryland for three years before returning to Vicksburg in 1988 to enter into law practice with James Winfield - his brother. He and his wife, Bobbie, have four children. He attends the Springhill Baptist Church.

While in law school, Moran was a member of the Black American Law Students Association. In Vicksburg, he is a member of the Warren County, Magnolia and Mississippi State Bar Association and of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Before being hired as district attorney to George Chaney in January 1980, Campbell practiced law in Vicksburg. After Chaney stepped down in October of the same year, Campbell was appointed to the post. He won his first election in the four-county district in December of 1980.

Moran will serve as the chief prosecutor in the district through the general election in November of this year and until swearing-in ceremonies in January of next year. He can also run for the post in the November election. One of his major tasks will be dealing with the Warren County grand jury session that begins Feb. 25. However, he will have the help of James "Buck" Penley, assistant district attorney under Campbell.

Our Origin: A Catalyst for Change   [ Back to Top ]

It was on October 9, 1978 that a friendly group of golfers, who usually met on a regular basis, decided to play golf.  Instead of playing at the then "Fort George G. Meade Golf Course", they decided to play at Enterprise Golf Course in Prince George's County. They had agreed to meet at the course at a pre-designated time.

At the appointed time, six players had arrived. Those players were Jackie ("Jack") L. Martin, Phillip ("Phil") Ferguson, Eddie ("Ed") Nance, Thomas ("Tom") Davis, William ("Doc") Cason and Aesop ("Robby") Robinson. At that time, although they had played together for years, no one in the group knew that Robby’s first name was Aesop except perhaps Eddie Nance!  [Web Note: Ed reported that he and Robby had been stationed together at Ft. Belvoir. He says that they had been friends since either late 1959 or early 1960. The only other person he recalls having known Robby for nearly as long as he had known him was Alfonza Jones.] Although this group had played together many times and had also played in larger groups at Meade and other courses, they knew very little about each others personal life.  Once it was determined that no one else was going to show, the group signed up at the starter shack and paid their greens fee.  Two threesomes were agreed upon. Jack, Phil, and Ed were in the first group; Tom, Doc (a Medical Doctor), and Robby were in the second.

Everything went well while playing the front nine. It was on the back nine that tragedy struck!  On the 16th hole, half way up the hill, Robby collapsed and fell to the ground.  Tom and Doc [along with several white golfers who had witnessed Robby's collapse] rushed to check on Robby.  Doc Cason immediately realized that Robby had suffered a heart attack and proceeded to render Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.  One of the white players assisted Doc Cason by providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.  [Web Note: No one knows the name of the white golfer who tried to resuscitate Robby].

Tom, in the meantime, had taken a nearby golf cart to notify course officials and the group ahead of what had happened.  [Ed recalls that his group was on the 16th green putting when they were notified by Tom that Robby had collapsed on the fairway.]  An Enterprise staff member called Emergency 911.

In the meantime, Ed had raced back down the fairway to see if he could render assistance.  County paramedics arrived less than 15 minutes later and found Doc Cason and the white golfer still trying to revive Robby.  The paramedics used their equipment and a resuscitator in an attempt to revive Robby, but to no avail.  Robby was gone!  [Web Note: Neither Ed nor Tom was certain of the time, but both think that the heart attack occurred sometime between 1:00 - 1:30 P.M.].

His body was placed in the ambulance and taken to Prince George's County Hospital.  Ed states that, "We gave the paramedics information that we thought would help them notify Mrs. Robinson of her husbands death."  "Doc also told them that he was a Medical Doctor and provided relevant details."  "We also talked to Prince George's County police officers and told them that Robby kept his wallet in his golf bag and that his car was in the parking lot."  "However, neither the police nor the paramedics seemed to have acknowledged this information."  "As a consequence, Robby was later characterized as a 'John Doe' since his wallet, which contained personal identification, did not accompany him to the hospital."  "We later found out that a statement was issued [by the hospital] stating that Robby was playing golf with strangers!"

[Web Note: The following information/explanation was provided by Tom Davis (a commissioned police officer at that time) regarding the 'John Doe' incident. He had no recollection of having talked with either police or paramedics.]

Tom stated that, "It was policy to classify as 'John Doe' all deceased persons who could not be identified immediately upon entry into a [county] hospital."  "Apparently, hospital personnel uncovered the fact that Robby had collapsed at the Enterprise Golf Course."  "They probably called the golf course and, through whatever investigative means were at their disposal, were able not only to get Robby's name, but also his home phone number."

"I called the hospital on/about 7:00 P.M. to determine if Mrs. Robinson or family members were at the hospital."  "I talked with a pastor at the hospital who said that they had just a few minutes earlier called and talked with Mrs. Robinson about the circumstances surrounding Robby’s death."  "I immediately called Mrs. Robinson and told her about the group who had played golf with Robby." "My offer to come by the next morning at 10:00 A.M. to talk with her was accepted."  "Doc Cason was called and agreed to accompany me to Mrs. Robinson's home."  "Mrs. Robinson was sincerely appreciative of the effort everyone had taken to revive Robby."  "She was particularly relieved to know that her husband was not playing golf with strangers, but with his friends."

Garnet G. Vintes
First elected President/ Historian

He urges us to reach out to family, friends, and acquaintances on a regular basis. Take the opportunity to know people as human beings with first and last names - not just nicknames - their families, their ideals, and circles of acquaintances.  After all, you can never know with certainty when you or someone you know may need help or someone to speak on your/their behalf.

Aesop Robinson Invitational Tournament   [ Back to Top ]

Post Tournament Report Memorandum (Clarence Kennedy - Activities Chairperson)

The Aesop Robinson Golf Association hosted its Inaugural Invitational Golf Tournament on June 3, 1987 at the Fort Meade Golf Course.  The event was played on the Applewood Course with a total of 32 (members and guests) participating.

The scheduled 18-hole tournament, unfortunately, had to be reduced to a 9-hole event due to inclement weather.  However, we believe the event was pretty successful in spite of the lower than anticipated turnout for an Association event.  The NCO Club's management provided an excellent meal for our enjoyment and should be considered for future contracts supporting the event.  Congratulations goes out to the Champions of this inaugural event:

	Low Gross - Chuck Birt
	Low Net - Art Mallory