In 1896, John Shippen, a black man from Shinnecock Long Island, is widely recognized as America's first minority golf professional. In 1896, he and Oscur Bunn, a fellow minority professional, stunned the nation when they qualified for the U.S. Open. This was not easily accepted, as there were many objections and threats to boycott if Shippen and Bunn were allowed to play. However, to the credit of Theodore Havemyer, the president of the U.S. Golf Association, it was made very clear that the tournament would continue even if Shippen and Bunn were the only two participants. Needless to say, there were no boycotts and Shippen finished in fifth place. During this era, many blacks, like John Shippen, who had a shot at winning the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, had learned golf as caddies. Working as a caddy was virtually the only way minorities were able to play on private and public courses. In 1899, On December 12, Dr. George Grant patented a golf tee which raised the golf ball (made of rubber at that time) slightly off of the ground, enabling the player greater control with his wooden club and therefore of the direction and speed of the drive. Grant, who was not only one of the first African-American golfers in post-Civil War America, he was also one of two African American to first graduate from Harvard Dental school, where he later taught. His invention was the blueprint for today's wooden and plastic tees. George Grant's small invention has become a standard piece of equipment for all golfers. In 1915, many black golfers began to assemble together to form clubs, even without courses, to be certain of their overall strength in numbers. The Windy City Golf Club was active as early as 1915, in Chicago, organizing tournaments and challenging the practices that banned any non-Caucasian golfer from memberships or competition against white golfers. Similar clubs formed in New York, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. under the leadership of prominent African-Americans who had already overcome severe adversities to become doctors, architects, and businessmen and knew through experience that that when one door closes, another one opens. In 1920's. Joseph M. Bartholomew was an African-American architect who specialized in golf courses. Early in 1922, Bartholomew went to New York to obtain knowledge and experience in golf course architecture. After his return to New Orleans, Joseph began to design and some of the most brilliant golf course designs the era has ever seen. However, after months of physical labor and mental anguish to see the project to fruition, due to Bartholomew's race, he was not allowed to hit one golf ball on those courses which he build with his own hands. Over the next decade Bartholomew built a number of courses in Louisiana, including City Park No. 1, City Park No. 2 and Pontchartrain Park in New Orleans. However, the public courses, like the City Park playgrounds, were segregated, and Joseph, could not even play on the courses. In 1925. In 1925, an eclectic group of African-Americans called together by Robert H. Hawkins, all met at the 12th Street Branch of the Washington (D.C.) YMCA to join together in their struggle to unite all minority golfers and golf associations into one collective and supportive body and they called it The United States Colored Golfers Association (USCGA). In 1926. The very next year in 1926, on Labor Day weekend, the founding father's brought together professional golfers from all over the country at the Mapledale Country Club in Stow, Massachusetts, to compete for the first officially sanctioned National Championship. What was so special about this tournament is that it was the first to advocated “open” status, meaning amateurs and professionals of all races were welcomed. It was a two-day, 72-hole tournament that awarded cash prizes and trophies. However, for African-Americans it was more than winning prizes, cups and medals. At long last, they had earned an identity in the game, which had not formerly welcomed them in this country. The outcome was invaluable because nothing could have carried more pride for African Americans than to be seated next to the formerly “untouchable” PGA pioneer's, such as Walter Hagen or Gene Sarazen. The National, as it came to be known, quickly established itself as the major event for African-American golfers. The tournament was consistently a proving ground for gifted minorities during an era when they typically were not allowed to enter white tournaments. As previously mentioned, the National was far more than a golf tournament, but a place where minority golfers could come together to demonstrate, unity, strength and solidarity, all of which were stepping stones for a segregated America. In 1929. The first three Nationals were held at Mapledale, but then in 1929 upon it's closing, it began to move to different locations across the states. This same year the United States Colored Golfers Association changed its name to the United Golfers Association. The organization was divided into districts to include various black golf clubs around the country. Each district elected officers and conducted competitions. Every two years UGA members chose national officers and voted on issues relevant to the organization. This black-run golf body was every bit as serious about growing the game as the USGA and the PGA of America. In 1939. Women were encouraged to participate in the UGA from its inception, but it wasn't until 1939 that an organization for women sought affiliation with the UGA. That organization was the Chicago Women's Golf Club, which was organized by Mrs. Anna Robinson. According to one social historian, there were an estimated 5,500 courses in the United States in 1939, yet still fewer than 20 were open to minority players. In the 1940's, the UGA had become the fundamental training grounds for top African-American golfing talent such as Zeke Hartsfield, Bill Spiller, Teddy Rhodes, Charlie Sifford and Lee Elder, as well as a sanctuary for a unique subculture. Revenues generated during tournaments flourished throughout the local business communities from beauty salons to restaurants to convenience stores. Many of the major corporations supported local events through sponsorships. Tours attracted a range of celebrity athletes and entertainers, such as Joe Louis, who was a frequent attendee at UGA events, and supported the organization's fight to attain to the more lucrative PGA Tour. In 1943, a clause proposed and adopted by the PGA barred any non-Caucasian golfer from membership, meaning that even the best black players could not compete in PGA-sanctioned events. This represented a very shameful mark in professional golf. This amendment was known as the "Caucasian Clause," stating that professional golfers of the Caucasian race, over the age of 18 years, residing in North or South America, who can qualify under the terms and conditions hereinafter specified, shall be eligible for membership. This clause remained effective until 1961. At this time, there were few golf courses created by blacks in existence, however, there were exceptional black golfers with love for the game and a desire to compete. Fortunately, the barriers of racism didn't and couldn't suppress the drive or the great spirit of the game's best minority players. They were quite aware and familiar with the unlawful treatment long before the white professionals proposed the Caucasian Clause. In the 1950's, more courses opened to African-Americans and the number of talented players increased exponentially. Some of the best players of this era arose, including Ted Rhodes, Howard Wheeler, Bill Spiller, and Charlie Sifford. These gentleman were icons who fostered rapid development within the UGA network, staging tournaments all over the country. With outside pressure to liberate the game of golf increasing, it began to weigh heavy on the PGA Tour in the late '50s. The UGA offices put constant demands on PGA headquarters with letters, challenging tour officials to exercise their influence on decision-makers at the Masters. In 1970's, Lee Elder finally received the long-awaited Masters invitation in 1975. Lee was the first African American to play in the Masters Tournament, then the first to participate in a multi-racial sports event in South Africa and subsequently the first named to the U.S. Ryder Cup Team. He joined the Senior PGA Tour in 1964 and won eight times. Then in 1976, the National celebrated its 50th anniversary at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Segregation had ended, but tournament director Tim Thomas remembers arriving at Torrey Pines and being told that the tournament would have to be cancelled because the course couldn't accommodate the number of players wanting to participate. Needless to say, the tournament did go on; however, it was one of the last held by the UGA due to lack of funds to continue. In 1980's, with UGA membership declining, the National became a thing of the past. Now that minority golfers were granted access to courses and the PGA opened its tournaments, the need for the separate minority held events were no longer necessary. Today, with the assent of Tiger Woods and his golf game comes an increased interest and participation from young minorities in the game of golf. Tiger envisions this rise to impact the next ten years as they come of age and develop, both mentally and physically. |
| AFRICAN AMERICANS IN GOLF |
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