Pine State Athletic Club A History of the Pine State Athletic Association

The Pine State Athletic Club has organized and broadened the concept of golf in the low income and disadvantaged communities of the Inland Northwest for over fourteen years. The Associations goals include providing a community service, youth golf and scholarship programs, developing golf as a means of establishing fellowship and goodwill between all peoples.

In order to aide in this great challenge the Juneteenth Invitational Golf Tournament was founded by Homer Thompson Jr. in 1975, and repeated in 1976. In 1977 the Pine State Golf Club took over sponsorship and has continued sponsorship into the present.

Then name Juneteenth Open Golf Tournament commemorated President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The tournament is held as an “open” to encourage players at all levels to come out and participate.

The Pine State Athletic Club was founded in 1976 in Spokane, Washington. It’s founding fathers were golf enthusiasts who believed that good human relations among the various racial, religious and ethnic groups could be fostered through the organization and development of the sport of golf. These were men of vision who could see the potential for teaching character building, planning and goal setting methods and good human relations to the youth of our communities through golf. Their first efforts brought marginal results, however, as time dedication and strong belief that fold could be a tool for human growth, they persisted.

Their persistence has brought fruit to the lives of many youths and adults alike during the past fourteen years. Although the Pine State Golf Club has changed its name to the Pine State Athletic Club to broaden its appeal, its appeal and commitment has not faltered. Each year youth from low income and disadvantaged families have an opportunity to participate and grow with golf.

Today, the members of the Pine State Athletic Club continue the dream by sponsoring tournaments, holding clinics, providing scholarships and presenting role models to youth in the community.

The Juneteenth Open receives participation from golfers in thirteen states. This year we are planning for a field of ‘200’ golfers.

Our clinics have trained many novice golfers and introduced neophytes to the game!

The sponsorship of the ‘Juneteenth Open’ has provided scholarships for many Spokane youth.

The Pine State Athletic club membership has accepted the challenge of leadership as adult role models for the youth of the Inland Northwest. Won’t you please help continue this most worthy cause by supporting, participating in the events of joining the Pine State Athletic Club.

Thank you and good golfing!

Sincerely,

Roscoe Dykes

Golf Director, Pine State Athletic Club

This document in its original form was previously handed to each member of Pine State Athletic Club. In the original document was a statement of the history of the club along with a statement of community commitment. Since then, the Pine State Athletic Club has continued to give to the community. We will be keeping all previous communications and affiliations of Pine State Athletic Club now known as Pine State Golf Club.