Program Guide Summer 2024

Gillespie Golf Course

FEATURE STORY

A pair of grants will support plans to revitalize the historic golf course. The Parks and Recreation Department has been working on a new master plan for Gillespie Golf Course. Now grants from two national organizations will support the improvement process. In February, the PGA of America REACH Foundation awarded the City a $250,000 Places to Play Spectator Championship Legacy Grant, offered in conjunction with the 2025 PGA Championship, which will be played at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club in May 2025. The foundation noted the course’s place in civil rights history in choosing it for this grant opportunity. In 1955, six Black men led by Dr. George Simkins played the course in defiance of the whites-only rules. The advocacy of the “Greensboro Six” led to the integration of the course.

“It’s a true honor to work alongside the City of Greensboro and the Carolinas PGA Section to elevate the historic Gillespie Golf Course through our Places to Play Program,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “Gillespie Golf Course is rich with history, by revitalizing key areas of the facility we will ensure that all members of the community can enjoy this game we love for generations to come. This will not only enable golf to be learned and enjoyed, but also help to show the importance and impact of breaking barriers to accessibility.” Also in February, Wyndham Rewards announced a call for artists for a $30,000 Greensboro Six mural it will fund on the First Tee - Central Carolina building at Gillespie. “The Greensboro Six didn’t just change the history of Gillespie Golf Course - they helped change the game of golf. With this mural, it’s our hope that we can honor their historic contributions while celebrating the vital role Gillespie continues to play in our community through the

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