Friday, August 9, 2024 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts unveils a mural honoring The Greensboro Six at Gillespie Golf Course, celebrating their legacy in desegregating golf and promoting equality. Today marks a significant celebration at Gillespie Golf Course in Greensboro, N.C.
, where a mural honoring the civil rights trailblazers known as The Greensboro Six has been unveiled. Initiated during the previous year’s 84th annual Wyndham Championship, this event concludes a year-long project. Brooklyn artist Vincent Ballentine crafted the outdoor mural, which commemorates the contributions of these six men in desegregating golf.
It also celebrates the First Tee – Central Carolina, which now finds its home at Gillespie. “Just over a year ago, we stood in this exact spot and shared the story of The Greensboro Six, six civil rights pioneers who not only made history here at Gillespie but in turn, helped change the game of professional golf. This mural is our way of memorializing these heroes and sharing their story with a new generation of golfers—all of whom walk in their footsteps.
” Ryan Wilson, CEO, First Tee – Central Carolina . “Gillespie is a special place—one that has transformed over the decades to play a special role in this community. Now, as future generations of golfers come here and learn the game, it’s my hope that this piece can serve as a reminder, sparking meaningful conversation about The Greensboro Six and how their courageous story ultimately helped to uplift this community and empower others across these great 50 states.
” Vincent Ballentine, Artist. Documenting a Legacy In conjunction with today’s unveiling of The Greensboro Six mural, Wyndham Rewards, together with First Tee – Central Carolina, has revealed their plans to produce a documentary. The short film, under the guidance of Eternal Polk, a two-time Emmy-nominated director known for his acclaimed documentary “Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land,” will explore the rich history behind The Greensboro Six and the mural’s creation.
The documentary will offer exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the surviving relatives, local dignitaries, and prominent community members, providing a deep dive into the significant impact of these civil rights pioneers. “It is an honor to help bring to life the story of The Greensboro Six and their triumph over racism and discrimination. They are an example of the power of doing good and it’s my hope their story inspires others to continue the fight for equality.
” Eternal Polk, Director . The Trailblazing Greensboro Six In 1955, just days after Rosa Parks’ defiant stance in Montgomery, Dr. George Simkins and five other Black men challenged racial barriers by playing golf at the then-segregated Gillespie Golf Course.
Their act of defiance led to their arrest and conviction for trespassing, resulting in a 15-day jail sentence. Their persistent efforts, alongside numerous legal battles over the next seven years, culminated in the desegregation of Gillespie. This venue later hosted The Greater Greensboro Open (now known as the Wyndham Championship), marking it as the first PGA TOUR event in the South to admit a Black player, Charlie Sifford.
Presently, Gillespie Golf Course is the base for First Tee – Central Carolina. This initiative is a national youth development organization that utilizes golf to foster essential life skills in young people. Gillespie stands out as North Carolina’s first golf course to introduce PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), a program that uses golf to aid the rehabilitation and wellness of active-duty military personnel and veterans.
It is also one of the few facilities in the Triad equipped to serve players with spinal injuries and disabilities, offering specialized adaptive equipment and complimentary programs..
