How the Holmes family empowers youth with golf and STEM in Atlanta

More than 70 years ago, Alfred “Tup” Holmes went to Bobby Jones Golf Course with his brother and a family friend.

The three men wanted to play a round but were told by management to leave because of their skin color. Instead of arguing or compromising, Holmes sued the city of Atlanta.

In 1955, his case, Holmes vs. City of Atlanta, went to the Supreme Court, which ruled to desegregate public golf courses. It wasn’t the last time his family pursued legal matters over ending segregation.

Six year later, Alfred’s son, Hamilton, and Charlayne Hunter became the first Black students to attend the University of Georgia after the Supreme Court ruled to integrate colleges and universities.

“My father and grandfather weren’t looking for any notoriety, fame or fortune. They wanted to do the right thing for people and have opportunities to compete,” Hamilton Holmes told UATL.

The youngest Holmes said he hopes his father and grandfather inspire diverse communities to pursue opportunities in golf, science, technology and math.

He’s the president and CEO of Alfred “Tup” Holmes Legacy Foundation, the nonprofit organization that empowers youth through golf and STEM programs to introduce them to opportunities in areas where they are underrepresented.

On Wednesday, the charity is hosting an invitation-only event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of his grandfather’s landmark case at Atlanta History Center.

Originally set for December, Holmes moved the celebration to February, during Black History Month’s centennial. “Tup’s history is a part of Black, Atlanta and Georgia’s history. These court cases were used as precedence in other parts of the country to help open opportunities for Black people in other cities,” he said.

Hamilton Holmes Jr., son of physician Hamilton E. Holmes and grandson of golfer Alfred 'Tup' Holmes, is the president and CEO of Alfred 'Tup' Holmes Legacy Foundation, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that provides youth exposure through golf and STEM programs. (Courtesy of Alfred 'Tup' Holmes Legacy Foundation)

Alfred Holmes, who was from East Point, learned golf as a teenager from his father and Black caddies. He joined Tuskegee Institute’s golf team, and became an exceptional student-athlete and competitor.

He died of cancer in 1967 at age 50. The Adams Park Golf Course was renamed Alfred “Tup” Holmes Memorial Golf Course in 1983.

Amateur golfer Alfred 'Tup' Holmes was the plaintiff in Holmes v. City of Atlanta, a Supreme Court case that desegregated public golf courses in 1955. (Alfred 'Tup' Holmes Legacy Foundation photo)

After Hamilton Holmes Sr. graduated from UGA in 1963, he became the first Black student at Emory University School of Medicine, a successful orthopedic surgeon and Grady Memorial Hospital’s medical director.

He died in 1995 at age 54.

Despite Hamilton Holmes Sr.’s accomplishments, his son said his dad rarely spoke about integrating UGA.

“He didn’t want to talk much about it. When he first got there, people were cursing, spitting at him and throwing rocks in his direction. He told me he didn’t make one friend while he was there as a student, so he just focused on what he was doing,” Holmes said.

In1961, Hamilton E. Holmes (center)  was one of the first two Black students to attend the University of Georgia. Holmes was also the first Black student to be admitted to the Emory University School of Medicine. (AJC file)

In 2018, the Alfred “Tup” Holmes Legacy Foundation was created to bridge the gap between nontraditional sports and STEM. Launching in February 2024, Holmes said his goal is to expose youth to career opportunities.

“We’re hoping to give kids some visibility to some things they normally don’t see, and we must help them see beyond their neighborhoods and move forward with their lives,” he said.

On Saturday, Alfred “Tup” Holmes Legacy Foundation is teaming with retailer PGA Tour Super Store for Hole 16 at Alfred “Tup” Holmes Memorial Golf Course. The free, family-friendly event will have a Dryvebox mobile golf simulator, a wooden maze, golf ball decoration station and prizes.

Ralph Stokes, vice president of the PGA Tour Superstore and the first Black person elected president of the Georgia State Golf Association, said he connects with the Holmes family’s commitment to social justice and bringing inclusion on the green and in the boardroom.

“’Tup’ Holmes’ legacy is a paramount part of growing the game, and his family never slowed down. We’re trying to engage small ages, adults, make it fun and bring people together, because diversity makes us better,” Stokes said.

PGA Tour Superstore vice president Ralph Stokes was named Georgia State Golf Association's first Black president in 2023. (Courtesy of PGA Tour Superstore)

Holmes said he plans to renovate Holmes Memorial Golf Course to add an interactive museum to its clubhouse. “Our goal is to make it a destination,” he said.

He added he hopes youth will consider the sacrifices his family made.

“They wanted to create opportunities to open doors for other people to come behind them. You must know the history so that you don’t repeat it,” he said.