MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - The Montford Point Marine Association Cherry Point Chapter 36 held a golf tournament at the Cherry Point Sound of Freedom Golf Course May 17.
“This is our inaugural golf tournament. We held this tournament in order for us to bring recognition to the original African-American Marines and the ability to preserve their legacy,” said Lester Sabook, president of the association’s Cherry Point chapter.
More than 35 Marines, retirees and civilians participated in the 18-hole tournament.
The tournament was held to help raise money for a future Montford Point Marine Memorial, which will commemorate the nation’s first African-American Marines who endured segregation and racism as well as war. The $1.8 million project is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed in June 2013. It is located in the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, N.C. The monument will be comprised of three circles that represent influences that changed the nation – the Montford Point Marines, the Marine Corps and the American public.
“This is a very important occasion for us,” said Sabook. “We are in the process of raising funds for the monument which would enshrine those original Montford Point Marines, which is less than 20,000. It is certainly time that their legacy and history be known to those who can carry on and are able to do the things that they have paved the way for us to do.”
Participants were divided into ten teams of three or four, each starting at a different hole on the course. Afterward, the teams made their way back where final scores were calculated and winners were announced.
Team 3 started the morning with one goal in mind – win. With a score of 58, that is exactly what they did.
Spending an entire day on the golf course with co-workers and friends was one of the many things Aubrey Evans, a member of the winning team, enjoyed about the fundraiser.
“Golf is my number one hobby,” said Evans. “I have been on the All-Marine Golf team for the last five years and I saw this as an opportunity to spend time with co-workers and close friends.”
It wasn’t just about the game. Many of the participants came out to the event to support the Montford Point Marines and all that they stand for.
“I enjoyed coming out here today,” said competitor Elizabeth Koen. “I drove an hour to support and spend time with the Montford Point Marines.”