Teammate to Know: Christopher Everett

Christopher Everett, a commercial banking manager, never saw golf as part of his culture and thought it was for people who didn’t look like him. He grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina, a Black middle-class kid. Even after receiving used clubs from his uncle who was a caddie, he wasn't motivated to start playing.

Unexpected respite: Golf provided Christopher with a surprising and much-needed break from caring for his father who was battling cancer. When a friend noticed Christopher’s golf clubs gathering dust in the garage, he invited him to unwind at the driving range. There, Christopher discovered tranquility, enjoyment of the sport, and the beginnings of a greater purpose.

Purpose in practice: Today, he uses golf for himself and others. He strives to expand access, representation, and opportunity for youth of diverse backgrounds to play golf through the RLE Go Fore It! Foundation, which he created in honor of his late father.

• The organization introduces young people to the game and the broader doors it opens, such as networking opportunities, relationship building, and mentorships.
• Its annual Signature Golf Weekend raises money to support youth programming and scholarships.
• He also penned the book “Go Fore It!: A Family and Golf Story”, a fictional tale loosely based on his life that highlights the traits of discipline, perseverance, strategy, and long-term thinking that the game teaches.

Outstanding achievement: Christopher's contributions to the community resulted in his being inducted into the African American Golf Hall of Fame in 2025. It’s an honor he calls “incredibly humbling, rewarding, and special.”

Reflecting on legacy: As Truist honors Charlotte native Charlie Sifford, the first Black golfer to play on the PGA Tour by unveiling a statue at Quail Hollow during the Truist Championship, Christopher reflects on the threads that tie them.

“While Charlie’s legacy towers over mine, I see a connection in our shared purpose: opening doors and creating opportunity through golf,” he says.

“I got to meet Charlie’s son (Charlie Sifford Jr.) this year at the January PGA Show, the business-to-business expo for the golf industry; I am sure this will be a proud moment for him as well.”

Teammate to Know: Get to know Christopher better through his Q&A below, including:

• His first days on the course
• The moment passion became purpose
• What he’d say to Charlie Sifford if they could meet today
• His golf playing dream team

(Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.)

What do you remember most about your first trips to the course?
A mix of nerves and excitement. It felt like stepping into a completely new world. The small things stood out: pulling up to the bag drop; having someone take my clubs felt foreign, but memorable.

I nearly whiffed the ball, which is when you almost don’t hit the ball when you swing. That  was embarrassing! But it helped me relax. What stayed with me most was the feeling of wanting to do it again.  

How did golf then become “peace” and a place to exhale?

I never took it too seriously at first. I was learning however I could: tips at the range, YouTube videos. As competitive as I am, golf felt different. It taught me to give myself grace.

I also grew to appreciate the beautifully manicured fairways, flowing streams, and carefully curated landscapes. For four hours, my dad’s illness, work, responsibilities, all faded into the background. It became a space to exhale. Even now, as a better player, it remains a place where I can relax and connect.

When did this passion turn into a purpose?

During the pandemic, I had time to reflect, and I noticed how rarely I saw experiences like mine represented, whether on screen or in stories. At the same time, golf was building real relationships for me, yet representation was still lacking.

Exposure shapes aspiration. If a young Black boy or girl can see a character like Tyler, the main character in my book “Go Fore it!: A Family and Golf Story,” playing golf and enjoying it, something shifts. What once felt unfamiliar or out of reach suddenly feels possible. And that’s when passion becomes purpose, when your personal journey turns into a pathway for someone else.

Charlie Sifford broke barriers as the first Black golfer to play on the PGA Tour (1961) and the Truist Championship is honoring his legacy by unveiling a statue of him at the Quail Hollow course. How do you think about Sifford’s legacy and yours? Where do you see a connection?

Charlie was 38 in 1961 when he broke the color barrier on the PGA Tour. Not only did he compete, but he went on to win tournaments. His first at age 45, another at 46. Then he won the PGA Seniors’ Championship in 1975, the same year Lee Elder broke the color barrier by competing at the Masters.

To consider the additional challenges he faced, traveling to tournaments, staying in designated hotels, facing harassment on the course, yet remaining focused, composed, and still winning, is nothing short of amazing. It’s also sobering to think about how many championships he may have been denied simply because of ignorance and discrimination during his prime younger years.

I’m extremely proud to hear that a statue of him will be unveiled at Quail Hollow during the Truist Championship. It speaks volumes to Truist’s culture of inclusivity.

What do you do for work?

I’m a commercial relationship manager. I advise business owners and their management teams on banking and financial strategies that support growth and stability throughout every stage of the business lifecycle.

What is your personal purpose?

My personal purpose is to be a leader who creates new and positive experiences for others, especially for youth and young adults; helping them see possibilities, gain confidence, and access opportunities they might not have otherwise imagined.

How does your passion for golf show up in your work and contribute to you leading championship teams?

My passion for golf shows up in my work through the values and lessons the game has taught me, discipline, strategy, patience, and the ability to read situations and people. When I led teams, I approached them much like a round of golf: with preparation, clear communication, and a focus on helping everyone perform at their best.

On the lighter side:

What three words would your best friend use to describe you?

Driven, passionate, loyal.

If you could build your golf playing dream team, who would be on it?

Me, my dad, Charlie Sifford, and President Obama. I would want my son and oldest daughter to ride along. It would be a powerful experience for all of us.