Charlie Sifford Scholarship Fund

Charlie Sifford was the first Black player on the PGA TOUR. He secured his first PGA victory in 1967 at the Greater Hartford Open in Connecticut at Wethersfield Country Club. To honor him, a scholarship has been created to help fund college costs for students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), or for students focusing their education on a golf management program. Any student who is or will be attending college is eligible to apply.

Charlie’s pioneering efforts created a pathway and inspiration for all underrepresented individuals to develop successful careers in golf. Similarly, the goal of the Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship is to help support college students who qualify, as they pursue their professional career of choice. The Cobbs Creek Foundation will serve as the fiscal sponsor of the Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship. From its founding in 1916, Cobbs Creek embraced both Black and women golfers and acted as the home course to Charlie Sifford during the time he was a resident of Philadelphia

Sifford also won the Los Angeles Open in 1969, then won on the PGA Tour Champions circuit in 1980. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004 and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014. He died in 2015.

Inaugural Sponsorship

The Travelers Championship, in partnership with Skins and Pins Golf Club, are the inaugural sponsors of the Sifford Scholarship Fund. The Cobbs Creek Foundation serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Fund. Cobbs Creek golf course in Philadelphia was Dr. Sifford’s home course.

“Because of everything that Charlie represents and stood for, we believe it’s important to honor his name and memory” said Nathan Grube, Travelers Championship Tournament Director.

Eligibility Requirements

Sifford HBCU Scholarship

The Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship is given annually to help cover college tuition for students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Sifford Scholars is proud to offer financial assistance to graduating high school seniors and continuing undergraduate students with a financial need, attending an HBCU. Five or more scholarships shall be awarded. These scholarships are available to all eligible students with declared or undeclared majors. Selected scholarship recipients will receive a one-year scholarship of $2,500.

Sifford Golf Management Scholarship

The Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship is given annually to help cover college tuition for students focusing their education on a golf management program. Sifford Scholars is proud to offer financial assistance to graduating high school seniors and continuing undergraduate students with a financial need, attending an accredited golf management program. Three or more scholarships shall be awarded. These scholarships are available to all eligible students. Selected scholarship recipients will receive a one-year scholarship of $2,500.

Application requirements

To apply for a Foundation Scholarship, you must complete the online application and provide the following supporting documents as instructed in the application:

Resume
FAFSA Confirmation Page (received from filing FAFSA)
Most recent transcript (unofficial or official) - Two letters of recommendation from a current school professor,teacher, faculty member, or community leader.
Essay: In a minimum of 500 words, please address the following question: What inspired you to pursue a degree in your current field of study and how do you plan to use your studies to achieve your future career goals? (Please upload your essay in PDF format.)

Process

1. Register

Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.

2. Login

3. Create

Create your online application.

4. Save

During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section.

5. Submit

On completion, save your application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.

If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Award Administrator.

Sifford Sponsors