About Us
The Black Cats are all about youth—because that’s where our story began.
In the late 1960s, a small group of kids wearing what we called “black cats” (black Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers) spent their days on the basketball courts and baseball fields of Wilcox Park, St. Thomas, and throughout the Eastown neighborhood of Grand Rapids. Those places shaped us. They were where friendships formed, values took hold, and a deep sense of community grew—long before we understood how meaningful that would become.
Time moved on, as it does. Careers were built, families raised, lives unfolded. But the connection to one another—and to the neighborhoods that raised us—never faded. What began as childhood friendships became a yearly tradition: gathering to reconnect, to share stories, and to celebrate camaraderie, all centered around an annual golf outing.
With over four decades in the books, the annual gathering has grown well beyond the original group. Friends, family, and neighbors return each year not only to reunite, but to support something bigger than the event itself. The Black Cats remain a community shaped by shared history, enduring relationships, and a genuine appreciation for where we came from.
Why We Play
We play as a way of giving back to a community that gave so much to us.
Growing up in Grand Rapids, we were shaped by the people, places, and programs that surrounded us. Parks, schools, teams, mentors, and neighborhood spaces all played a role—sometimes quietly, sometimes profoundly. We recognize that today’s youth face a wide range of challenges, and that access to support, resources, and opportunities is not always equal or guaranteed.
Our focus is simple and grounded: to support local youth-oriented organizations that help create spaces where kids can learn, grow, and find their footing. We don’t claim to have all the answers, nor do we attempt to define every challenge. We believe that strengthening the community, in whatever ways we can, matters.
The Black Cats may be a small group, but our commitment is sincere. If coming together once a year helps create opportunity, encouragement, or stability for even one young person, then that is purpose enough. It’s our way of honoring where we came from—and of keeping that spirit alive for the next generation.