Mid Island Golf Club

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Allen Leo Greene

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Allen Leo Greene had a wonderful life, having been born in Houston, Texas in 1921, and raised in a nurturing household.  Allen was given confidence, high self-esteem and became known for his charisma and charming personality.

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After graduating Tuskegee University, Allen worked as a Pullman Porter.  He moved to Denver, Colorado and became one of America's first black radio DJs.

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Handsome and always sharply dressed, Al was an extremely talented singer and entertainer. He fronted Lionel Hampton's Big Band and recorded his own records on the Decca Label.  The Greene family later moved to New York City where he worked for the Transit Authority until retirement.

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Al was an excellent Championship-level golfer.  Had he been born in a different time, he would have been a professional.  Golf was his passion, as he traveled to, and won tournaments at some of the better golf courses in the country.  Al was an active member of the Mid Island Golf Club where he served as President for two years.  He was a life member of the MIGC, as well as the founder of the Mid Island Scholarship Fund.  As a result of Al's foresight, we have awarded tens of thousands of dollars to deserving students.

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Allen loved people and was blessed with good friends, great family and a zest for the good things in life.  Two of his favorite quotes, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt," and "You owe it to yourself to live your best life to its furthest extent."

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Al lived to be 96 years old.  His love and good will truly reflects the man.

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General George A. Jones

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General Jones' service began in 1939, at age 16, when he enlisted in the New York National Guard.  He entered the regular Army in 1941, rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in 1942, and fought in both the European and Pacific Theatres during World War II.

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General Jones served outside the military as well. He was a 20-year member of the New York Fire Department and the first President of the Vulcan Society, the nation's first organization of African-American firefighters. He spent over 30 years working for Nassau County, NY, promoting employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for minorities and individuals with disabilities.  He concluded 18 years as Board Chairman of the Urban League of Long Island.

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A decorated veteran, General Jones earned the following awards:  American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; European-African Middle Eastern Theatre Medal with 2 stars; Japan Occupation Medal; Korean Service Medal with 2 brass stars; U.N. Service Medal.  In his book, "The Character of Leadership," General Jones chronicles his life in the military and combat experiences.

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Brigadier General George A. Jones was inducted into the New York State Senate's Veteran's Hall of Fame in recognition of his decades of service to our country and community.  A statue stands in his honor in his hometown Roosevelt, New York.

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Roy H. Pinkard

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Roy was born in Birmingham, Alabama on May 7, 1935, to Eugene and Charlotte Pinkard and raised with his siblings in Brownsville, Brooklyn by two strong West Indians, his mother, Charlotte and his grandmother, Mary.  They instilled in him a love of learning, respect for achievement and the desire to pursue his dreams.

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After Roy graduated from high school in Sabago, Maine, he joined the Army serving in the Korean conflict as a member of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat team as a paratrooper.  In 1956, Roy was discharged from the Army, decorated for action and determined to pursue his dreams to become an Electrical Engineer.  Married with small children and armed with the GI Bill, Roy worked and attended Pratt Institute at night always keeping his "eye on the prize."

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He graduated Pratt Institute in Brooklyn with a Degree in Electrical Engineering and continued his studies and received his Master's Degree in Business from City College.

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Roy realized his dream working as a Research Engineer at Sperry Gyroscope developing the Counter Measures' Defense System, moving on to Grumman Aircraft as a Senior Electrical Engineer designing test equipment for fighter jets and developing underwater demolition sonar, and the M.A.R.S. System at Gibb and Cox Marine Engineers.

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Working at these engineering firms Roy presented himself with confidence as a black man and took a leadership role in the Engineering Associations.  Roy represented Sperry Gyroscope at the Marches in Mongomery and Selma, Alabama.  Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, Roy organized business associates, friends and family to participate in numerous freedom marches.  He understood that freedom is not free.

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In 1964, Roy joined the engineering staff at New York City Transit Power Department bringing the same leadership qualities.  Roy mentored young engineers opening doors for them to be exposed to senior management, sharing experiences and helping them create career paths.  Roy was recognized as "The Manager of the Year" for developing a new light technology that consistently saves the Transit Authority millions of dollars.

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As Roy built a successful career as an engineer, he always remembered his roots and the needs of his community.  Giving back was business as usual.  As crime rose in his community he formed and led the 132th Back Association to protect his neighbors and his "pocket of paradise."  Roy's dedication to his community also includes his church community.  As president, Roy led the Men's Ministry at St. Bonaventure/St. Benedict the Moor RC engaging the men to be role models and mentors for the youth, raised money to support the church and helped support parishioners in need.

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Family, church and community are very important to Roy, but we all know how he loves sports.  In 1989 Roy joined the Mid Island Golf Club, sponsored by Jim Carrington and was in awe of the oldest African American golf club in the metropolitan area, and the men who made up this prestigious organization.

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Roy took this membership very seriously, working hard to build the membership, teamwork and pride in belonging to this distinguished golf club.  Roy's leadership was very evident, and he was elected to lead the Club as President for 8 years.  He is truly proud of the Club and the wonderful scholarships that are offered to students entering college.  Roy tells our youth, "in the race of scholar, if you can't win the race, then make sure the person ahead of you breaks the record."

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Roy is married to Jacqueline Arrington Pinkard and is the father of nine children and a grandfather.