NBA Star Stephen Curry to Be Awarded ‘Charlie Sifford Award Presented by Southern Company’ for His Contributions to Advancing Diversity in Golf

By Rick Towers

Golden State Warriors’ standout, Stephen Curry, has been named as the recipient of the Charlie Sifford Award for his dedicated efforts to advance diversity within the sport of golf.

Curry took significant strides two years ago by launching Underrated Golf, an initiative committed to ensuring equity, access, and opportunities for high school athletes from all backgrounds. Furthermore, he generously funded the Howard University golf team for six years, re-establishing their presence on the Division I circuit. This contribution marked a historic moment for Howard University, which had been without a golf team since the 1970s.

The prestigious Charlie Sifford Award, which honors individuals embodying the groundbreaking achievements of Charlie Sifford through attributes such as perseverance, confidence, respect, and adaptability, was established in 2021.

The award will be presented to Stephen Curry during the World Golf Hall of Fame ceremony, scheduled for June 10 at Pinehurst, North Carolina, just ahead of the U.S. Open. Charlie Sifford was a trailblazer as the first Black player to earn a PGA Tour membership in 1961, and he was duly inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.

Curry expressed his deep gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I’m incredibly honored to be chosen as the recipient of this year’s Charlie Sifford Award and am grateful to the World Golf Hall of Fame for the recognition in this sport that I am so passionate about. I believe that we have the opportunity to grow the game of golf by providing equity, access, and opportunity to young golfers who have that same passion, dedication, and determination as so many of us out on the green.”