Holman United Methodist Church is hosting its second annual Leon Davis Memorial Golf Tournament on July 8, at the Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena.
Davis was a long member of Holman United Methodist Church. Born and raised in Brighton, Ala., he attended Clark Atlanta University in Georgia and upon graduation enlisted in the United States Army. After his honorable discharge as a Sergeant, Leon moved to the Los Angeles area and completed the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the Anderson School of Business at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).
While at UCLA, Leon met Beverly Taylor. After their graduation they were married. Two daughters would soon follow: Keisa Michelle and Marisa Ellen.
Davis worked 32-years with the City of Los Angeles in Mayor Tom Bradley’s Office of Urban Development and was charged with developing the $4.2 million Commercial Area Revitalization Program. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Crenshaw Comprehensive Community and Economic Development Program which was used by Mayor Bradley to attract a seasoned shopping center developer to take on the task of renovating the renamed Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Shopping Center.
The Office of Urban Development eventually became the City of Los Angeles Housing Department. During his stellar career with the City of Los Angeles, Davis earned numerous promotions, held various managerial positions and demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism. He continued his professional growth by completing the Certificate in Real Estate Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1992, and the Certificate in Contract Compliance at Cleveland State University in 1994.
He was also prominent in the creation of the Real Estate Development Program, which teaches minority developers the principles of real estate development. The program evolved into the Ross Program in Real Estate Development which is taught at the University of Southern California.
And, not surprisingly, he loved to play golf.
Davis passed away on January 8, 2015. The tournament is one way in keeping alive his memory for those who loved him. But it is also helps support various Holman ministries.
The July 8 tournament is at one of the Southland’s most scenic locations. Brookside has two courses, measuring 6,046 and 7,200 yards, and is framed by the San Gabriel Mountains and is adjacent to the famed Rose Bowl stadium.
Along with the golf are a putting contest, longest drive, and closest to the pin challenges.
Lunch will be available before the round of golf begins with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Dinner will be served when the golf is completed. A silent auction for a variety of prizes will commence during the dinner hour.
The cost for a single player is $125. There are also group sponsorship packages.
Among the ministries to benefit from the proceeds is The Black College Fund, which provides financial support for the 11 historically Black schools of the United Methodist Church including Bethune-Cookman University, Clark Atlanta University, Meharry Medical College and Wiley College.
Also receiving tournament proceeds is the “No More Malaria” campaign, a global partnership which seeks to treat and eliminate the disease in Africa.
For more information, registration forms and sponsorship details, visit www.holmanumc.com/event-items/leon-davis-memorial-golf-tournament/ or call Holman United Methodist Church at (323) 731-7285.
