September 16, 2002

The first annual Michael J. Berkeley Memorial Golf Tournament was held on September 16, 2002 at the Westchester Country Club in Harrison, New York, and hosted over 240 golf participants. The purpose of the annual memorial golf tournament is not only to raise funds for the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation, but also to continue to celebrate and honor Michael Berkeley's legacy. The success of the Tournament was attributed to, first, and foremost, Earl "Butch" Graves of Black Enterprise Magazine, the many corporate and individual sponsors, and the Board of Directors of the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation.

On October 14, 2001, Butch Graves announced that starting in 2002, the annual Black Enterprise Golf Tournament would be renamed the Michael J. Berkeley Memorial Golf Tournament in honor of his golf buddy and dear friend, Michael, and proceeds would benefit the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation. Also on October 14, 2001, we announced the formation of the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation, a charitable organization established to foster the growth and development of deserving minority youth in the sport of golf through education, business ventures, or a professional golf career. Within days, we received numerous contributions from friends, colleagues, family members and acquaintances. It is the intent of the Foundation to provide grants, scholarships or sponsorships to those qualified individuals who personify Michael's legacy.

We hope that the Tournament will serve as a remembrance of the love and respect we have for Michael and of what he meant to us. Many of us have grown to enjoy and appreciate the sport of golf because of Mike. For those of us who knew Mike and had a chance to interact with him, we hope to share our stories and memories with others and spread some Mike B.isms. We're sure in many occasions we have caught ourselves saying ... "Oh, no...don't go in..." or "...I can not hit a golf ball better than that..." or "...I'm the premier bunker player on the BGA..." A business colleague and friend wrote, "...while I did not know Mike, he has made a distinct and life-lasting impression on me ... guys like Mike ... inspire me to be a better husband, a better father, a better friend. For that inspiration, that gift, I am eternally grateful to guys like Mike Berkeley." We hope that through the Foundation, we can inspire others, particularly, minority youth, to emulate Mike's legacy.