Message from the Mr. Warren Barge & The Calvin Peete Foundation
Calvin Peete was my friend of over thirty years. We met at the Heritage Classic in Hilton Head, South Carolina and traveled the world together. What I remember most is driving down Magnolia Lane to the Augusta National, an experience Calvin thought he was unworthy of. The Masters can be intimidating to a golfer, especially for a black man who joined the PGA Tour at an age when many stars were considered “past their prime”. Calvin kept a cool head and just looked at his golf ball and said, “Don’t bring me no bad news.” Although he never won the Masters, I remember Calvin truly believing that perhaps he could win The Green Jacket, and this was motivation enough to achieve greatness and unknowingly inspiring other young black golfers to believe the same.
Calvin was the leader in driving accuracy on the PGA Tour for 10 straight years, from 1981–1990, an accomplishment that has never been duplicated. Mr. Calvin Peete was inducted into the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. Calvin’s mission was always to reach back to the youth and get them involved in the game of golf. During the first annual Calvin Peete Awards, Calvin urged the attendees to push the black youth beyond even their own expectations, and to be aware that we are all examples that will shape our future.
The annual Calvin Peete Awards is a special and monumental event that acknowledges leaders and champions in their respective fields while also recognizing history and the challenges the award winners had to face to achieve their greatness. Similar to Mr. Calvin Peete and what he faced on his path to success, these awards are given to champions of their craft, those who have faced inferior circumstances and worked hard to overcome them with leadership, dedication, hard work and class.
Through the Calvin Peete Awards, The Calvin Peete Foundation is able to provide opportunities to aspiring, driven, focused and motivated youths of all skill levels to participate and develop through the game of golf. Funds raised are given to partnered charitable causes in addition to providing select junior golfers with the opportunity to play and practice golf at The Golf Club of Georgia. This monthly experience provides experiences for young children who want to learn the game, and have a desire to continue learning the game, rewarding them with competition, etiquette and perseverance. The Calvin Peete Foundation is dedicated to recognizing the deserving achievements of our community leaders while fueling the next generation of golfers from diverse backgrounds in Atlanta.
Every day, with your support and belief, I continue his message and legacy.
Warren E. Barge Jr.
