“8-0-FORE!” If you’re familiar with this play on Richmond’s area code, you’ll know it as the nickname of the Richmond chapter of the National Negro Golf Association. The Richmond Chapter is the host of NNGA’s 2019 Summer Tournament. The tourney is set to run from July 24 through 28 at the Club at Viniterra in New Kent County, with an evening party at Champions Brewery on July 26 open to the public. Those who attend will likely get the chance to meet the group’s most prominent and important member, National President George Philip Braxton. Mr. Braxton, who has previously served in the males-only organization as national secretary and national vice president, describes the game of golf as “a lifelong pursuit.” “There are few things more satisfying than a well struck long iron or draining a long putt for birdie,” Mr. Braxton says. “It is the pursuit of one hole, one nine holes, one round, one season where we put it all together,” he adds. NNGA was founded in 1965 by a group of black students in professional schoools to serve as less of a sports-focused club and more of a way to maintain connections across states. The organization has since expanded past its six original chapters in Richmond, New York, Washington, Cleveland, Atlanta and Philadelphia to independent chapters in more than 11 other states, including California and Texas, with nearly 200 members across the United States. The Richmond Chapter was founded in 1987 by several individuals, including former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas “Doug” Wilder. Despite a commitment to the club and its ideals so deep that he has a tattoo of the group’s logo on his leg, Mr. Braxton’s first real experience with golf was in 1993 as part of a friend’s wedding celebration. Despite never swinging a golf club before that day, Mr. Braxton quickly took to the sport. “After finally hitting one ‘on the screws,’ something went off in me like a tuning fork and I told my friend that I would play this game for the rest of my life,” Mr. Braxton says. This single moment would grow into an obsession with improving at the game. Laser-focused on sharpening his skills and making a name for himself, Mr. Braxton had inadvertently turned golfing into an experience where success dictated his enjoyment. Eventually, the necessities of family life, work and his own health would lead Mr. Braxton to shift his approach to golf. He now treats it as a vehicle for keeping close with his friends, rather than defeating them on the green. “It’s good exercise, a great reason to travel and ,if you can’t beat them in golf, there’s always the card table,” Mr. Braxton says. This take on the game has greatly informed his two terms as NNGA president. After serving for years under Winfred Kirksey and Charlie Ward as vice president, Mr. Braxton was elected in 2015 and again in 2017. His goal: To reshape the association into something that clearly shows the benefits of membership while not losing the sense of fellowship and intimacy for which NNGA was created. “We didn’t need to be a large organization, but we needed to be a viable one,” Mr. Braxton says. Any men 21 years of age or older who are interested in a potential membership can join the Richmond Chapter for their Saturday outings to get a feel for the organization. “If you are committed to traveling, like a good laugh and love golf, we may be the group for you,” Mr. Braxton says. In his professional life Mr. Braxton serves as deputy director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Office for the Defense Contract Management Agency. Meet this week’s Personality and a real golf guy, George P. Braxton:

Occupation: Deputy director, Equal Employment Opportunity Office, Defense Contract Management Agency.

Top volunteer position: National president, NNGA: A Brotherhood of African American Golfers, founded as the National Negro Golf Association.

Date and place of birth: March 13 in Richmond.

Current home: Richmond’s 4th District.

Alma maters: University of Maryland-College Park, bachelor of arts, and University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.

Family: Wife, Kelly Harris-Braxton, and sons Miles Q. Braxton, 22, and Harris B. Braxton, 10.

Why NNGA was founded: The National Negro Golf Association was founded in Lebanon, Penn., in July of 1965. Its birth was not conceived from the love of golf, but the love of camaraderie and fun. A small group of black professional students felt the need to reunite and relive some of those golden college days. Golf provided the vehicle which brought them back together in Lebanon; a midpoint between New York, Washington and Cleveland. It became apparent that a continuation of their camaraderie and their newfound love — golf — had to be perpetuated so NNGA was founded.  Since then, along with the original chapters of Cleveland, Washington and New York, Atlanta, Richmond, Philadelphia and independent chapters, four chapters have been added. Ours is a traveling club.  Members are required to travel to local, national and international golf outings during their membership tenure.

Number of members: 185 nationally.

Member profile: We are a male-only organization. The typical member is a black male, though we have non-black members, between the ages of 45 and 65. 

How many team championships won by Richmond Chapter: The Richmond Chapter has won seven of the last 10 team championships.

Nickname of the local chapter: The local chapter goes by the nickname “The 8-0-FORE!,” marrying the area code of the city and the warning shout for golf.

Organizations association partners with: We have partnered with the PGA of America for an event that is now the PGA Works Collegiate Championships, which is open to golfers at minority-serving institutions.  Additionally, we currently give to Virginia Union and Virginia State Universities golf teams.  The VSU coach, William Perkins is a member of Richmond NNGA.  Locally, we have played mixed doubles rounds with the Top Lady Clubbers, a women’s golf group.

Number of African-American owned/managed golf courses in the U.S.: I know of 16 – with the most notable being those that are a part of the Salamander Corp. owned by Sheila Johnson. Reunion, Hammock Beach (hosted us in 2013) and Innis brook (hosted us in 2009).

 As a game, golf is: A lifetime pursuit. There are few things more satisfying than a well struck long iron or a draining a long putt for birdie.  It is the pursuit of one hole, one nine holes, one round, one season, where we put it all together.

My handicap: An embarrassing 17.5 index.  I got it down to a 14 in 2017, but life happened.

Favorite course: Locally, my home course is Willow Oaks, but I will always be partial to Independence Golf Club. I rue the day VSGA sold it. Nationally, there is something spiritual about Pebble Beach. Internationally, Punta Espada Golf Club at Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic just ekes out Teeth of the Dog in the DR.

Favorite male golfer: Tiger Woods, the G.O.A.T.

Favorite female golfer: Rooting for Mariah Stackhouse, Cheyenne Woods and Ginger Howard.

Advice to aspiring golfers: You will probably not make it to the Tour, or even the Champions Tour, so just enjoy the game.

Outlook at start of the day: He woke me up so that means He wants me active today.  Let’s go get it.

How I unwind: I am known to enjoy a dram of American whiskey and a cigar from time to time.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Binge watch superhero shows on streaming services. 

At the top of my “to-do” list: Finishing what wasn’t done yesterday. Bucket list: Visit Africa.

Best late-night snack: Dessert: Ice cream; Real food: PLS (pathetic little sandwiches; any slice, pinch or pull of meat between bread, tortilla, etc.).

If I had more time, I would: Play more golf.

Person who influenced me the most: My father, George P. Braxton Sr., a WWII vet and 35-year postal worker. He taught me to never let anything get in the way of your responsibilities and to make sure that the people who depended on me were provided for. He also taught me the importance of friendship, fraternity, camaraderie and seeing a world beyond your own.

The best thing my parents ever taught me was: The harder I work, the luckier I get.

The book that influenced me the most: “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap ... and Others Don’t” by Jim Collins.

What I’m reading now: “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays” by Damon Young.

My next goal: Life after being an NNGA national officer!  Lower my handicap. Grow my avocation.