Morehouse Golfer Jaelon Ridley Earns Prestigious 2026 Sifford Scholarship

ATLANTA, Ga. — Morehouse College student-athlete Jaelon “J.T.” Ridley has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2026 Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship, recognizing his academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to excellence both on and off the golf course.

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced that Ridley was chosen as one of only 12 students nationwide for the scholarship’s fourth cohort. The recipients were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country.

Ridley recently completed his first season competing for the Morehouse Maroon Tigers and now joins an elite group of scholars carrying forward the legacy of one of golf’s most influential pioneers.

Established in 2022, the Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship Fund honors the groundbreaking achievements of Dr. Charles “Charlie” L. Sifford, who became the first Black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card in 1961. The scholarship was created to help support tuition expenses for students attending HBCUs and those enrolled in accredited PGA of America Golf Management Programs.

For Ridley, the recognition represents more than financial assistance. It connects him to a legacy of perseverance, opportunity, and progress in a sport where African Americans have historically faced significant barriers.

The scholarship is supported by the Cobbs Creek Foundation, which serves as the fund’s fiscal sponsor. The historic Philadelphia golf course holds a special place in golf history, having welcomed Black and women golfers since its founding in 1916 and serving as the home course of Dr. Sifford during his years as a Philadelphia resident.

Ridley’s selection highlights the continued impact HBCU student-athletes are making in collegiate athletics and beyond. As Morehouse College continues to develop leaders in every field, Ridley’s accomplishment stands as another example of the excellence found throughout HBCU campuses nationwide.

The honor not only celebrates Ridley’s achievements but also reinforces the importance of creating pathways that support future generations of Black golfers, scholars, and leaders.

With the support of the Sifford Scholarship, Ridley joins a growing community of students dedicated to carrying forward the values of academic excellence, leadership, and service that have long defined both Morehouse College and the HBCU experience.