Providing Fellowship, Camaraderie and Opportunity to Our Participants
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Original Tee Golf Classic is a diverse group of golf enthusiasts, business executives, celebrities, and influencers who come together for the Original Tee Golf Classic in (OTGC) at Wild Turkey Golf Club. The Original Tee Golf Classic in New York features a competitive golf tournament, professional instruction, nine-hole youth competition, and spectator activities.
The Honoree
LaRee’s remarkable journey has left an indelible mark on the history of the game. As the third African American woman to compete on the LPGA Tour, her trailblazing spirit follows in the footsteps of icons like Althea Gibson and Renee Powell. Throughout her illustrious career, LaRee has exemplified excellence, perseverance, and integrity—values that resonate deeply within our community.
Currently serving as the Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Richmond, LaRee continues to inspire both on and off the course. Her recent achievement of earning a Master of Liberal Arts Degree reflects her unwavering dedication to lifelong learning and personal growth.
Please join us in celebrating LaRee Pearl Sugg—a true original in every sense—as we honor her exceptional contributions and enduring legacy. We look forward to sharing this special occasion in her honor.
Currently serving as the Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Richmond, LaRee continues to inspire both on and off the course. Her recent achievement of earning a Master of Liberal Arts Degree reflects her unwavering dedication to lifelong learning and personal growth.
Please join us in celebrating LaRee Pearl Sugg—a true original in every sense—as we honor her exceptional contributions and enduring legacy. We look forward to sharing this special occasion in her honor.
The OTGC Professional Invitational
In addition to the main OTGC tournament, the OTGC features a professional invitational that provides an opportunity for some of the best Black players in the country to compete for a sizable prize. This is a great opportunity for players to compete at a high level while promoting diversity and inclusion within the sport.
The Cause
The Original Tee Golf Classic has made contributions to numerous organizations spanning over two decades. Those organizations include The Bill Dickey Scholarship Association, Golf To End Cancer, The Clearview Legacy Foundation, The Bridge Golf Academy of Harlem, PGA REACH, The Mack Champ Fund and 10 All-In Foundation. The OTGC has also incorporated an elite player component for aspiring Tour Professionals to compete for purse money.
The Inspiration
We established the True Original Award to recognize pioneers and trailblazers in the African American community. The True Original Award honors individuals exemplifying the commitment, passion, fearlessness, and original style embodied by the first recipient, Dr. Charles L. Sifford. Sifford was also the recipient of the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Crystal Springs Resort
With its debut in July 2001, Wild Turkey became Crystal Springs’ second Roger Rulewich design – an outstanding encore to his award-winning Ballyowen. Wild Turkey’s topography is best described as “basin & ridge.” As a uniquely designed golf course described as “basin & ridge,” Wild Turkey’s topography is its best merit. The layout’s two distinct terrain types combine the sheer expansiveness of Ballyowen with the rugged, multi-elevated nature of Crystal Springs.
Yardage: Black 7,202; Blue 6,555; White 5,942; Red 5,024Rating/Slope: Black 74.8/131; Blue 71.4/131; White 68.7/124; Red 69.0/118Fairways/Greens: Creeping Bent GrassRoughs Type: Mixture of Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Fescue
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship of the Original Tee Golf Classic offers a unique opportunity to reach an influential group of business executives, professionals, athletes, celebrities, and consumers who incorporate golf into their lifestyle. Partnering with Original Tee Golf aligns your brand with a highly successful and established event that attracts a sought-after consumer segment. OTGC participants are, on average:
Affluent – Average Household Income of $150k+Early Adopters – They Like to Try Products & Services That Aren’t Readily Available to the MassesInfluential – Their Opinions Are Valued by Their Peers & OthersEntrepreneurial – They Own, Build, & Run EnterprisesTech Savvy – From the Latest Gadget to Social Media
Sponsorship allows you to share in our vision of preserving the history of contributions to the game, inspiring and educating young golfers, donating to causes we believe in, and continuing our legacy. Learn about some of the Causes & Initiatives Original Tee Golf supports. Sponsorship opportunities are available on a limited and exclusive basis. Details are available upon request.
The Fresh Classic Youth Competition
The nine-hole youth competition with PGA professionals is a youth golf tournament, which features:
Junior Golfers Will Be Paired With a PGA Professional in a Nine-Hole Scramble Competition
- Lead Instructor: To Be Announced
- A Fun Golf Experience Open to Boys & Girls
- Unintimidating Scramble Format for All Junior Skill Levels
- A Chance to Win Prizes & Surprises
- Interaction With Sports Legends & Positive Role Models
Past Participants
The Original Tee Golf Classic unites the worlds of entertainment, sports, fashion, and technology and attracts golf enthusiasts who play a significant role in shaping and steering popular culture. You may call them legends, icons, pros, pioneers – we’re glad to call them friends of the OTGC. Friends and participants in the OTGC include:
- Anthony Anderson (Actor)
- Tatyana Ali (Actress)
- Carl Banks (Former NY Giants Linebacker)
- Lem Barney (NFL Hall of Famer)
- Bill Bellamy (Actor/Comedian)
- Luther “Luke” Campbell (Entertainer)
- Jaime Diaz (The Golf Channel)
- Keith Clinkscales (SVP/GM ESPN Publishing)
- Lyor Cohen (Chairman, Warner Music Group)
- Maurice DuBois (CBS2 News Co-Anchor)
- Stephanie Elam (Correspondent, CNN Business News)
- Julius “Dr. J” Erving (NBA Hall of Famer)
- George “The Iceman” Gervin (NBA Hall of Famer)
- John Graves (President/COO, Graves Ventures)
- Jemele Hill (ESPN Analyst)
- Beverly Johnson (Super Model/Entrepreneur)
- Sam Jones (NBA Hall of Famer)
- Roland Martin (TV Personality, Journalist)
- Kedar Massenburg (President, Kedar Entertainment)
- Pete McDaniel (Sr. Writer, Golf Digest)
- Earl “The Pearl” Monroe (NBA Hall of Famer)
- Alonzo Mourning (NBA Hall of Famer)
- Iain Page (Co-Anchor, Fox 29, Philadelphia) Renee Powell (LPGA, PGA Professional)
- Rosie Perez (Actress/Director/Producer)
- Julian Phillips (Fox Anchor)
- Ja Rule (Musician, Entertainer)
- William C. Rhoden (Author/NYT Sports Columnist)
- Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Actor/Director/Producer)
- Gary Sheffield (Retired NY Yankees)
- Rory Sparrow (Retired, NY Knicks)
- John Starks (Retired, NY Knicks)
- Ed Sussman (CEO Buzzr / Prev. INC.com Magazine)
- Andres “Dres” Titus (Blacksheep)
- Chris Webber (Golden State Warriors)
- Doug Williams (Retired, NFL)
- Herb Williams (Asst. Coach, NY Knicks)
- Malik Yoba (Actor)
