District Remembers Golf Legend Ray Savoy

January 19, 2026

Raymond A. Savoy, an 83-year-old sports icon and founder of the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club, has passed away in Washington, D.C. Throughout his life, Savoy excelled as a multi-sport athlete, playing professional football with the Baltimore Broncos and semi-professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates before dedicating himself to youth golf education. He spent 32 years working for the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, retiring as director of city youth sports programs, and became a transformative figure at the historic Langston Golf Course.

Who is affected

Raymond A. Savoy's family, including his wife Paulette Granison Savoy of 31 years, five children (including daughter Jacquin K. Savoy), eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren
Students and participants of the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club
Members of the Senior Swingers golf group (ages 55-70)
The Rev. Anthony Motley and other former students who knew Savoy as coach and mentor
Staff and regulars at Langston Golf Course, including manager Tom Brown
The broader Washington, D.C. community and local sports organizations

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article.

Why it matters

Raymond Savoy's death represents the loss of a transformative figure who broke racial barriers in golf during an era when opportunities for people of color were severely limited. His work providing free golf instruction to hundreds of youth over decades created pathways for young people in underserved communities to learn not just the sport, but essential life skills like handling stress, discipline, and determination. His legacy at the historic Langston Golf Course—one of three D.C. area courses owned by the National Park Service—established a lasting institution for youth development and community empowerment through athletics.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer