Annual Charity Golf Tournament Raises $46,500 for Children, Families and Veterans

The 20th Annual Jim “Mudcat” Grant Legacy All-Star Golf Tournament was a great success, and today Security Mutual Life had the honor of announcing the Tournament results: $46,500 raised to benefit children, families and U.S. military veterans in Broome County.

On behalf of the Black Aces and all the Tournament’s sponsors and supporters, Security Mutual Life Chairman Bruce W. Boyea and Security Mutual Life President and CEO Kirk R. Gravely presented $10,000 each to the Broome County Urban League, The Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton, and the food pantries of CHOW and Catholic Charities. In addition, a separate event held during the tournament raised $6,500, and those proceeds were presented to Binghamton Mayor Richard David to help support the veteran housing unit in Binghamton and provide a home for one of the residents throughout the next year.

This year’s Tournament took place on September 2 at the Links at Hiawatha Landing in honor of the late tournament founder and famed major league baseball player, entertainer, and sports broadcaster Jim “Mudcat” Grant.

“We renamed the tournament The Jim “Mudcat” Grant Legacy All-Star Tournament,” said Boyea. “We were honored to do that. I had the privilege of talking to Jim many times over the last year, and I know the tournament was very important to him.”

Grant was a member of the Black Aces—the African American Major League Baseball pitchers who have won 20 or more games in a single season. He brought his fellow Black Aces, his passion and memorable smile to each event and will be deeply missed.

MLB All-Star pitcher and Black Aces member Al Downing, who has been part of the All-Star Golf Tournament since its beginnings, spoke at this year’s event of the man he called his idol. “It’s always an honor to come up here,” said Downing. “Jim’s heart was in it from the moment he started to the moment he left us. He had a heart of gold.”

Hall of Fame pitcher and Black Aces member Fergie Jenkins also paid tribute that day to another longtime All-Star Golf Tournament participant who passed away this summer: MLB pitcher and fellow Black Aces member J.R. Richard. “The legacy these gentlemen have left here has been sensational, and I’m glad to be a part of it,” said Jenkins.

The Jim “Mudcat” Grant Legacy All-Star Tournament carries on Grant’s lifetime commitment to helping people, especially youth.

As part of this year’s remembrance and opening ceremony, Boyea announced the launch of the Legacy of Learning program to help prepare young people for success. It’s a partnership with Security Mutual Life, Visions Federal Credit Union, The Broome County Urban League, and The Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton.

The Urban League and Boys and Girls Club introduced the first class of 16 participants. Security Mutual has provided the students with backpacks and laptop computers for the program.

“I have to say that if there is one thing we have learned in the last year with all the challenges we face is that you have to rally as a community when it comes to our youth,” said Visions Federal Credit Union Community Development Liaison Aisha Jasper the day of the Tournament. “We are happy to support these youth, and thank you again, Bruce, for thinking of us as a community partner.”

In a recorded message played at the Tournament, Grant’s nephew, Julious Grant, thanked Security Mutual on behalf of the family. “The Legacy of Learning initiative is one I know is near and dear to his heart. We know how important mentoring was to Uncle Mudcat and preparing children for the future, and we’re really excited about that,” said Grant.

“Whenever we can do something to make the futures of our children better, we’re on board, and I am so proud of all of them,” said Marybeth Smith, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton.

“Remember the names of these young people because I told them we expect great things and I know they’re going to do some great stuff,” said Jennifer Lesko, Broome County Urban League Chief Executive Officer.

The Tournament’s remembrance ceremony also included presentation of a proclamation and a key to the City of Binghamton to Grant’s family by Binghamton Mayor Rich David. “He [Jim “Mudcat” Grant] came and spent much of his time on many different occasions with the youth of our community. It was important to him that we come together, raise money, and help those in need. He is a great man who has left a great legacy in the Southern Tier,” David had said.

Mayor David also presented a key to the city that day to Security Mutual Life Chairman Bruce W. Boyea, who accepted on behalf of Mudcat’s family and on behalf of all the event’s sponsors, supporters, and volunteers.

The All-Star tournament was founded in 2002 by Security Mutual Life together with Mudcat and his fellow Black Aces. Each year the event features guest celebrities not only from baseball, but from football, basketball, wrestling, hockey, golf, arts and entertainment, and more.

This year’s tournament featured more than 25 guest celebrities, including:

• Former Yankees player Ron “the Boomer” Blomberg.
• Former Italian Basketball League and Syracuse University basketball player Roosevelt Bouie.
• Former Syracuse University linebacker and football coach Dan Conley.
• World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Vern Law.
• Legendary wrestler, coach and 1980 U.S. Olympic team member Gene Mills.
• Super Bowl Champion Johnny Roland.
• Former 1969 World Series “Miracle Mets” MLB baseball player, broadcaster and author Art Shamsky.
• Former Denver Bronco football player and 1977 AFC Championship team co-captain John Schultz.

Be sure to see the full listing of all our 2021 guest celebrities who so generously shared their time to continue the legacy of Jim “Mudcat” Grant and help children, families and veterans in Greater Binghamton.

Note: This article was originally published on September 24, 2021, and has been updated to include the Tournament results.