The recent June 20, 2026, Invitational Golf Tournament conducted at Hillcrest Golf Course in Orangeburg to benefit the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum was another success and produced a repeat winner. The museum is set to open later this year.
Sixty golfers throughout the Carolinas and elsewhere participated in the event, which also received a record number of sponsorships, according to tournament director Larry Mitchell.
The Peters Group of Orangeburg won the event for the second straight year and went home with the first-play trophies and the honor of having their names engraved on the prestigious Vanguard of Freedom Trophy again. Making up the winning foursome were Dr. Stephen Peters, Bayne Green, Arthur Green, and Derrick Simpson. The group carded an 18-hole 16-under par total of 56.
Other winners included Closet to the Pin Jackie Snow (male) and Inez Benjamin (female); Longest Drive Rico Caldwell (male) and Ida Mendez (female). Top raffle prizes awarded included a trip to the Cayman Islands, a 2026 SC State Celebration Championship football, autographed by Bulldog head coach Chennis Berry, and artwork by renowned artist Floyd Gordon.
Civil Rights photographer and museum founder Cecil Williams, and Mitchell praised the support that the event generated in only its second year.
“The support of the tournament was tremendous,” Williams said. “We were quite pleased at the turnout, the support of the local community and others. We had a wonderful time.”
“I’m thankful for all the support the event received,” echoed Mitchell, the tourney director. “We had 30 local hole sponsors, five Silver Sponsors, a lot of volunteers, and the weather cooperated. We look forward to next year.”