The Rotary Club of Fulton plans to honor one of its long-time members with a golf tournament in his honor April 17, 2026, at Tanglewood Golf Course. Charlie James, a former outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, has been a member of Fulton Rotary for more than 50 years and is a two-time past president. He’s also an avid golfer.

“Charlie is one of the nicest guys you’d ever meet and he’s done so much for the Fulton community. Since this year is the 61st anniversary of when he played in the World Series, we thought it was appropriate to name our golf tournament for him,” Amanda Gowin, Fulton Rotary president, said.

Proceeds from the tournament will go to local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Fulton.

“To have my name associated with the yearly alumni weekend golf tournament is truly an honor,” said James.

The golf tournament will be a four-man scramble, with a 28-team maximum. The $440 per team cost will include greens fees, cart rental and lunch. Registration will be at 9:00 a.m., with the tournament starting at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be available at 11:30 a.m. Awards will be at 3:00 p.m. For $525, you can register your team and sponsor a hole. Mulligans, Texas Tees, and raffle items will be available for purchase the day of the tournament. There will be contests for closest to the pin and longest drive for both men and women.

A food sponsor is being sought for $1,000, and hole sponsors are available for $100.

A two-sport athlete at the University of Missouri, Charlie James signed for $15,000 with the Cardinals as an amateur in 1958 and made his big-league debut with St. Louis on Aug. 2, 1960. He played six seasons in the big leagues (1960-1965) and was a member of the Cardinals’ 1964 World Series team that beat the New York Yankees in seven games.

Overall, he played in 510 games and hit a career .255 with 172 RBI, 29 home runs, 56 doubles and nine triples. His final season was with the Cincinnati Reds. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

While with the Cardinals, James finished a bachelor’s degree and earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering at Washington University. Fulton became home for Charlie and his wife, Jo, in 1972 when he became president of Fulton-based Central Electric Company, a power equipment manufacturing company.

James has been active in numerous civic affairs, including the Fulton Board of Education, the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, and as honorary chair of the United Way campaign with his wife. He has been a member of the WWU Board of Trustees since 1990.

2026 Charlie James Golf Tournament

Sponsored by Fulton Rotary Club.