PHOTO/KEN KOONTZ

Humble Hackers member Norman Mitchell (left) presents Woman Of The Year Award to Jeanne Ross as founding Hacker Jerry “Hobo” Osborne looks on.

The Humble Hackers presented Charlotte native Jeanne Ross with its 2017 Woman Of The Year Award during the group’s second annual golf outing last week at the Dr. Charles Sifford Golf Course at Charlotte’s Revolution Park.

Ross is the widow of late civil rights leader, social and political activist James L. “Jim” Ross. As a team, Jeanne and Jim were avid golfers and philanthropists. After his death, Jeanne Ross took up the charge of establishing a golf tournament in Jim’s name to raise money for the Ross Foundation. The funds are used for scholarships and other purposes to help disadvantaged young adults from the Grier Heights neighborhood to advance their education and get job training.

Charlotte golfer Jerry “Hobo” Osborne established the Humble Hackers to raise funds to support causes like the Ross Foundation and generate money to help aspiring young golfers from the Carolinas improve their game. Funds also support their room, board and travel to tournaments and golf lessons.

Since I started this effort several years ago,” says Osborne, “many persons from all across socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds and levels have wholeheartedly support the goals and efforts of the Humble Hackers.

“Our group is just a spirited, informal initiative aimed at helping aspiring young golfers. We honored Jeanne because of her lead in the Grier Heights Community.”

Humble Hackers prides itself on helping launch the amateur play and professional career of young African-American golfers like Gastonia native Harold Varner, III, who is now in his second year on the PGA Tour.

“Boosters like Jeanne Ross help us develop all-around good citizens,” Osborne said. “And that’s why she is our 2017 Woman Of The Year.”

The winning team in the 2017 Humble Hackers Golf Outing included: Donovan DeCosta, Freddie Baker, John Love and James “Slim” Boler.

Comments