? *? In golf, as in life, extreme pressure must be overcome to succeed Ralph Gaillard Golf-N Around The last round of The Players Championship this past weekend was something ?Jo behold. Several relatively Jmknown pro golfers demon strated the true magnificence of golf. ? These young men playing in the final round of the rich est golf tournament in the world were not expected to even be on the leader board. They gave us an upfront and somewhat personal glimpse of the emotion and pressure involved in playing profes sional golf. As in life, they did their best and overcame adversity, and the naysayers. The winner. Craig Perks, made seven bogeys, five birdies, and one eagle, post ; ing a round of 72, and put $1.08 million in his bank account. It was not his best golf and more than once he almost blew his chances to win. However, he did over come and made golf history. He is the first player to make this prestigious tournament his first win on the PGA Tour. As I watched the final round of the tournament, I ? began to reflect on the first African-American golf pros, such as Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder, Jim Dent and another man who overcame extreme pressure, emotion, adversity, and blatant racism. The other man I was thinking about was Charles Lewis. He preferred to be called Chuck. Chuck Lewis was one of the first African Americans hired by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. as a sales repre sentative. Lewis began his career in the early 1950s, selling Reynolds products on the Southside of Chicago. Lewis was the first African American promoted to man agement in Reynolds' field sales organization, and the entire tobacco industry. In 1971, RJR promoted him again and brought him to <3 | Winston Salem, where he became the first African Ameri can man ager in the home office sales department. Lewis attended Tuskegee Institute and graduated from George Williams College in Chicago. He served as a truck driver during World War II with the famous all black "Red Ball Express" in the U.S. Army. Lewis was a natural teacher and coach. Before going to work for Reynolds, he taught and was the foot ball coach at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School in< Chicago. He had all the gifts and used them. Within five minutes of meeting him, it was as if you had known him all your life. He was a student of life and his fellowman. Proud to be a Christian, he possessed great wisdom, knowledge, personality, character, and love; he had the whole pack age. He had the God-given talent of looking beyond adversity and even racism. He was one of the most pos itive individuals you ever met. He always turned the negative into positive. He had the unique verbal ability to put things into context and perspective. One of his most memorable say ings was, "When having a conversation with an idiot, make sure that he or she is not doing the same." Another one that comes to mind is, "When you settle for mediocre work, you're in the middle of the pack. When you are in the middle jof the pack, you are as far from the top as you are from the bottom. Don't just be good at what you' do; be great at what you do." If you had the great honor of knowing and work ing with Lewis, you knew in an instant that he was great i at everything he did. Count less young African Ameri cans and other minorities began their careers, were and are successful at RJR and other major corporations because of folks such as Lewis. He took it all and despite it all stayed the task and overcame the naysayers, adversity and racial discrim ination. RJR and other cor porations are better because the Chuck Lewises of the world were in their employ. Likewise, you are a bet ter person if you knew Chuck Lewis. He was and still is one of my best friends and heroes. I miss him every day. This week is the most important week of Christian ity. Jesus died, was buried, and rose from thg. dead to save us all. Get to church on Sunday and every Sunday. Like Chuck Lewis, you will be blessed in your life if you do. Until next time, keep it in the fairway. Lewis The Motor Works Exceptional Service for You & Your Car Independent service for BMW, Mercedes, Volvo Audi, Porsche, VW Rick W. Banasik Owner/General Manager Phone: 336/759-9714 William Whitcomh Service Manager o Forsyth ?BM County's I BOSCh! only Near Wake Forest Univ. at 4021 Brownsboro Road Winston-Salem, N? 27106 Mon-Fri 7:30 am ur5:30 pm Website: www.TheMotorWorks.biz Hanes Hosiery from page HI olds faced a physical Zehulon team in the semifinals. But the Hosiery showed a lot of intes tinal fortitude in grabbing the lead and holding on down the stretch. In the championship game, Hanes Hosiery came out strong in the beginning of the game and took a lead to the locker room at intermission. However, the scrappy Washington team fought back in the second half and finally took the lead mid way through and beat back Hanes Hosiery's advances in the final minutes. Hones Hosiery 16's All-Stars Womble Carlyle is proud to salute our partner in education, R.J. Reynolds High School, and to congratulate the Black Demons on their third 4A Basketball Championship in a row. WOMBLE CARLYLE OUR LAWYERS MEAN BUSINESS Womblc Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC ?2002 GEORGIA / NORTH CAROLINA / SOUTH CAROLINA / VIRGINIA / WASHINGTON, DC THE SPORTS DEADLINE is r \ MONDAY AT 5:00 P.M. ? Apply for aCatLoan 6^omthe ?Phone! BIBrbI Come To The Winner's Circle ? '? _ 'J mth Mock/Stokes/ a and Goodyear! Quality To Win By! EAGLE PERFORMANCE AND STYLE AT AN ECONOMY PRICE ? Excellent year-round driving performance. ? Cornering power, aggressive handling. ? Sporty, contemporary styling. ? Even at highway speeds, you'll rest easy knowing that this tire is quality constructed. 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