Sifford honored at Shell Houston Open

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HOUSTON -- Shell Oil Company recognized golf pioneer Charlie Sifford with its Shell Legacy Award Tuesday evening. Sifford was the first African-American to play full-time on the PGA TOUR.

Jimmy Roberts, Charlie Sifford and Marvin Odum pose with the inaugural Shell Legacy Award.

Presented by Marvin Odum, executive vice president, Shell Exploration and Production Americas, the inaugural Shell Legacy Award honored Sifford for his professional achievements and his legacy, which paved the way for many others, including Tiger Woods.

NBC Sports commentator Jimmy Roberts was the emcee for the evening and interviewed Sifford on his memories of those times. In 1960, then 39-year-old Sifford finally received his professional playing card on the PGA TOUR. He won twice on TOUR at the 1967 Greater Hartford Open and the 1969 Los Angeles Open, as well as later winning the 1975 PGA Seniors' Championship.

Ten current PGA TOUR players -- Billy Andrade, Olin Browne, Brett Quigley, Jason Gore, Mathias Gronberg, Joe Ogilvie, Dudley Hart, Jeev Singh, Scott McCarron and Blaine McCallister -- attended the dinner to show their appreciation.

Sifford was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.