Origin and History
The Lexington Swingers Golf Club Inc. is a golfing social organization comprised of adult males and females ranging from ages 21 through
75. The club was established in 1991 with the primary purpose of (1) promoting the game of golf among youth and interested adults (2) Supporting
worthy community causes and (3) building comradery among participating members. The following paragraphs provide a brief historical summary
of the clubs origin and development from its beginning to the current date. For brevity, hereafter in this summary, the Lexington Swingers Golf Club
Inc., will be referred to simply as LSGC.
LSGC established "By Laws" during the latter half of 1991. Club colors of navy blue and aqua marine were chosen and the club
officially adopted the name"Lexington Swingers Golf Club". LSGC developed club goals and objectives and was incorporated as a none profit
organization in 1992.
The three principle founders responsible for perpetuated the initial idea of establishing a golf club were Doug Garth, Bill Holt, and Robert Murray.
The first club officers were elected in 1991 and are listed below:
President: Lyman Jones
Vice President: Doug Garth
Secretary: Lindrell Blackwell
Treasurer: Johnny Barnes
Tournament Chairman: Robert Murray
From 1991 to present, LSGC has had 6 club Presidents. Their names and terms of office are listed below:
George Logan 1994*
Manes Hazzard 1994*
Doug Garth 1995-2004 (9 yrs.)*
*Served less than full term of office
The full list of all chartered or founding members of the golf club as it existed in 1991 are listed below:
Lyman Jones Ray (Tony) Granville * O.J. Johnson
Doug Garth Leon Roberts Kenneth Johnson
Robert Murray Myron Roberts Johnny Barnes
Lindrell Blackwell William (Colonel) Holt Arnold Coffey
Fred Berdell Glenn Cowan William Barber
Don Figgs Manes Hazzard Claude Hall
Ed Barnes Bill Pittman* George Logan
Michael Woods Victor Tucker Raymond Smith
John Withrow Samuel Lanter John (Pokie) Jenkins*
Phil Chenault
*Deceased Members
Club Tournaments
The Golf Club held its first golf tournament in 1992 at the Longview Golf Course in Georgetown, Kentucky. The tournament was
deemed a memorial tournament and was named for noted Lexington Golfer and club member John Jenkins, affectionately known as "Pokie".
His contributions as an African American golfer was well documented in 1971 having finished third overall in the Lexington Men's City Golf
Tournament, which at the time was a match play tournament. During the course of the tournament in which he finished 3rd, Pokie
defeated the tournament favorite in early round competition. He was one of the more notable golfing pioneers here in Lexington, Ky.
Thus, the first memorial golf tournament was named The John "Pokie" Jenkins Memorial Golf tournament. The inaugural tournament
champion was Marcus Williams of Louisville, Kentucky.
The first club championship held by the LSGC was conducted at Kearney Hill Golf links in Lexington, Kentucky. The majority of the
current members participated and the first club champion was Doug Garth.
The John "Pokie" Jenkins Tournament continued as the clubs one and only spring open tournament through 1994. In 1994, the club
began conducting a second tournament in conjunction with a week long city wide celebration of African American history and culture known
as The Roots and Heritage Festival . The club made several adjustments in its tournament plan combining the John "Pokie" Jenkins Memorial
tournament with the Roots and Heritage tournament into a single tournament, called the Roots & Heritage Golf Classic. This tournament
increased to two days and combined the essentials of both tournaments. It continued to acknowledge John "Pokie" Jenkins, but also began
to be an annual acknowledgement and celebration of African American golfing pioneers on a national scale to notables such as John Shippen,
John Brooks Dendy, Bill Spiller, Althea Gibson, Charlie Sifford and others.
New Emblem and Colors
In keeping with the new tournament focus, the club abandoned the old colors and club emblem for a new design denoting
African American Culture and Pride. The redesigned emblem, created by Robert Murray, changed the clubs colors to Red, Black, Green,
and Gold denoting the colors made famous by the legendary Marcus Garvey. African Andinkra symbols coinciding with the clubs purpose
were placed on a coat of arms shield along with the former symbol of a man swinging a golf club.
The club patronized golf tournaments held by other golfing clubs in Bardstown and Louisville and participated in a culminating
competition with those clubs which became known as "The Big Five Tournament". This involved LSGC, Inc., Louisville Tee Bumper
GC, Kentuckiana GC, 19TH Hole GC and the Broken Tee GC. LSGC was the perpetual champion of this event and never lost.
Junior Golf
LSGC conducts an annual summer golf training program that is free to youths between the ages of 8 - 17. The program is geared
toward providing an introduction to the basic fundamentals, rules, and etiquette of golf. The LSGC later promoted the inclusion of parental
golf instruction with their children in an effort to increase support for the youths beyond the summer clinics. The summer instructional program
is financially supported by proceeds from the annual golf tournament, Lexington's Mayor, and other individuals. Significant financial support
in later years was provided by a single member of LSGC who asked to remain anonymous.
Community Service
Some of the most proud and note worthy activities of LSGC are found in its contributions to Community Service programs, charitable
causes, and individuals in need.
Since 1992, LSGC has annually provided financial support to a number of worthy community and humanitarian causes. Some but not
all of these are listed below:
- Financial support to needy families during holidays and special occasions
- Financial support to families during sickness and illness
- Financial support to families experiencing financial crisis
- Financial support to youths via college scholarships
- Financial support LSGC Junior golfers
- Financial support to other organizations sponsoring youth programs
- Financial support to Senior Citizens
NOTEWORTHY
The Lexington Swingers Golf Club Inc. has been fortunate to have many fine members join the club since it's beginning in 1991.
Several of the founding members are no longer with us and we would be remiss if we did acknowledge remember them. In addition, as with any
organization, there are those members who go well beyond expectations to support their organization. Many times, this involves sacrificing
personal time, energy, and finances to insure that the organizations grows and progresses. Special thanks, and tribute is paid to the following
individuals for contributions above and beyond.
In Special Memory
LSGC acknowledges the contribution and memory of late members John "Pokie" Jenkins, Bill Pittman, and Tony Granville.
We remember them as good golfers and most importantly, good people.
Acknowledgements and Appreciation
Special thanks to honorary member Catherine Warner, chairman and co-chairman of the Roots and Heritage festival from its beginning
to 2003, for having the insight to pull the LSGC tournament in under the Roots & Heritage Festival Umbrella. This helped to provide major financial
and spiritual support to LSGC's efforts to conduct the Roots and Heritage Golf Classic.
Special thanks to honorary member, Raymond Smith, former Branch Manger and Vice President for Bank One, who provided
major financial support for LSGC's tournament. This was during times when Bank One was the only sponsor for our golf tournament. This support
was a key factor that helped open the doors and eventually gain additional sponsorships.
Special thanks to LSGC member, Robert Murray for his contributions to the organizational structure of the club. This is evident by his
development of the emblem design, developing the club's By-Laws, helping to establish the club's Incorporation status, and over seeing the
Junior Golf program. Since the clubs beginning, Robert has been a club officer in some capacity. Since 1991 to present, he has served
as President, Secretary, Treasure, Tournament Director, Junior Golf Coordinator and Historian.
Special thanks to LSGC member Doug Garth who served as president of the LSGC from 1995 to 2004, 9yrs. During Doug's tenure
and leadership as president, the club grew from its original group of golfers who merely enjoyed playing golf together, into one of the most notable
golfing clubs in Kentucky and the Southern Region. A firm coalition was established with city government and local sponsors allowing for the
eventual growth of the noted Roots & Heritage Golf Classic, which may be the finest tournament provided by a golfing club in Kentucky.
