
Who was the first African American golfer on the PGA Tour?
Charlie Sifford made a permanent mark in history as one of the first African American golfers to play on the PGA TOUR. In 1967 he became the first African-American golfer to win a PGA TOUR event at the greater Hartford Open.
Who founded the first black Golf Club in Washington DC?
George Adams and Helen Webb Harris founded two important Black golf clubs in Washington, D.C.: the Royal Golf Club and Wake-Robin Golf Club, respectively. Adams' and Webb's clubs led the fight to desegregate D.C.'s public golf courses, which succeeded in 1941.
Who was the most successful black golfer before Tiger Woods?
Calvin Peete won 12 PGA tournaments, beginning in 1979, making him the most successful black golfer prior to Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods is easily the most successful player of African-American descent in the history of golf.
Did you know there are African Americans in the golf industry?
When most people think of African Americans and golf they immediately think of Tiger Woods. What these people may not know is that far before Tiger, and in some cases after, there have been accomplished African American golfers that continue to pave the way for blacks to thrive in the golfing industry.

Who was the first African-American on the PGA Tour?
Charlie SiffordCharlie Sifford broke barriers throughout his life. He was the first African-American to earn a PGA TOUR card and the first to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Who was the first African-American male to play in the PGA?
Charlie Sifford After he earned his PGA Tour card in 1960, pressure from the California attorney general helped convince the PGA to drop its Caucasian-only membership rule. Sifford, at age 39, then became the PGA's first African-American player.
What was the name of the first African-American golfers Association?
The United Golfers Association (UGA)The United Golfers Association (UGA) was a group of African-American professional golfers who operated a separate series of professional golf tournaments for Blacks during the era of racial segregation in the United States.
Who was the first African American to win the Masters golf tournament?
Lee ElderOther4Best results in major championshipsMasters TournamentT17: 1979PGA ChampionshipT11: 197421 more rows
Who was the first Black golfer to win a major tournament?
That was Ted Brown in 1964. Elder didn't win the most tournaments among African-American golfers prior to the emergence of Tiger Woods. That distinction will always be reserved for Calvin Peete. And Woods was the first African-American to win each of the four major championships.
Who is the famous Black golfer?
Charlie SiffordTurned professional1948Former tour(s)PGA Tour Champions TourProfessional wins22Number of wins by tour18 more rows
Who was the first professional golfer?
Allan RobertsonThe first Amateur Championship is won by George Condie of Perth. Death of Allan Robertson, the first great professional golfer.
Who are the Black pro golfers?
Still, there are just four current players on the PGA Tour who are Black — two, Harold Varner III and Cameron Champ, who will play in the Rocket Mortgage Classic — and fewer than 1% of PGA of America club pros are Black.
Who was the first black golfer?
The First Black Golfer in the PGA. Charlie Sifford, puffing on his trademark cigar, plays a shot during the 1997 Senior PGA Championship. As with many other American sports, professional golf was segregated for much of the 20th century. The Professional Golfers' Association of America even went so far as to write a "Caucasian-only" clause ...
Who was the first black golfer to win a major championship?
Charlie Sifford set out to end golf's segregation after World War II. Had he done so in his prime, perhaps Sifford -- rather than Tiger Woods -- would have been the first African-American golfer to win a major championship. Nevertheless, Sifford eventually succeeded in breaking the color barrier, becoming the first black PGA golfer.
When did the PGA drop the Caucasian rule?
After he earned his PGA Tour card in 1960 , pressure from the California attorney general helped convince the PGA to drop its Caucasian-only membership rule. Sifford, at age 39, then became the PGA's first African-American player. Although past his prime, he won two PGA Tour events plus the 1975 Senior PGA Championship.
Who was the first black woman to play on the LPGA Tour?
Two years after Sifford joined the PGA Tour, Althea Gibson -- best known as a star tennis player -- became the first black woman to play on the LPGA Tour. Pete Brown was the first African-American player to win a regular PGA event, recording his victory at the 1964 Waco Turner Open.
Who won the 2000 Grand Slam?
Open and British Open and was the world’s top-ranked player for much of the following decade. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers win The Match. Golfweeks' Adam Woodard breaks down the results from the match. More Videos.
How many PGA tournaments did Calvin Peete win?
Calvin Peete won 12 PGA tournaments, beginning in 1979, making him the most successful black golfer prior to Tiger Woods.
How many golf courses were open to black people in 1939?
Estimates show that of the more than 5,000 golf facilities in the United States in 1939, fewer than 20 were open to Black players. The National celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1976 at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Who invented the golf tee?
Golf history also shows that Dr. George F. Grant of Boston invented the wooden golf tee in 1899 and had the good sense to take out a patent on it. Grant never marketed his invention and never earned a penny from his intellect. The basic model of his golf tee is still used today.
Did African Americans play golf?
African Americans' involvement in golf has included some who held administrative positions and others, like Joe Bartholomew of New Orleans, who built courses themselves. Bartholomew's white friends were so impressed with his skills as a greens keeper that they sponsored him in architect school in New York, yet the New Orleans society refused ...
Did black golfers have access to courses?
Once Black golfers had access to courses, once the PGA opened its tournaments, the need for separate events became a thing of the past. With the assent of Tiger Woods and his golf game comes an increased interest and participation from young minorities in the game.
Who is the most successful African American golfer?
Professional golfer Calvin Peete, the most successful African American to have played on the PGA Tour, with 12 wins, prior to the emergence of Tiger Woods. (UPDATED: OCTOBER 18, 2019)—Throughout a long history of racial discrimination and segregation in the United States, African Americans have continued to struggle for equality in this nation ...
Who was the first African American to qualify for the Masters?
Lee Elder * Born July 14, 1934 in Dallas, Texas; turned pro in 1959 and joined PGA Tour in 1967; won the 1974 Monsanto Open to become the first African American to qualify for the Masters; won $1,020,514 in official PGA Tour earnings. Al Green * Born August 26, 1939 in Annapolis, Md.; turned pro in 1967; joined PGA Tour in 1973;
When did Charlie Sifford play golf?
Charlie Sifford * Born June 2, 1922 in Charlotte, N.C.; turned pro in 1948; joined PGA Tour in 1960; won the 1967 Greater Hartford Open and 1969 Los Angeles Open; among the top 60 winners on tour from 1960-69; joined Senior PGA Tour in 1980.
When did the PGA remove the Caucasian only clause?
It was not until 1961, that the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) removed the “Caucasian Only” clause from its bylaws. This clause, which resolutely excluded African Americans from participating in PGA sanctioned tournaments, shut out some of the best black golfers in our country from playing on that professional tour.
Who are the African Americans on the PGA Tour?
Tiger Woods is on the list of African Americans who have played on the PGA Tour. Pete Brown and Charlie Sifford have said Willie Brown of Houston and Dick Thomas of Baltimore also had tour cards, but neither could be confirmed.
Who is George Johnson?
George Johnson * Born December 8, 1938 in Columbus, Ga. ; turned pro in 1964; qualified for PGA Tour in 1968; won 1971 Azalea Open and had four second-place finishes in 10-year career. Al Morton * Joined PGA Tour in 1981; played in seven events in 1982, 11 total over his career.
Who is Pete Brown?
Pete Brown * Born February 2, 1935 in Port Gibson, Miss.; received Approved Tournament Player’s card in 1963; won 1964 Waco Turner Open; had best year on PGA Tour in 1970, with $56,069 in official earnings (35th on the money list). Lee Carter * Born January 14, 1954 in Dallas, Texas; attended the University of New Mexico; turned pro in 1974;
Who was the first African American golfer to win a PGA Tour event?
Charlie Sifford made a permanent mark in history as one of the first African American golfers to play on the PGA TOUR. In 1967 he became the first African-American golfer to win a PGA TOUR event at the greater Hartford Open.
Who was the first black golfer to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association?
Althea Gibson. Not only did Althea surpass racial barriers in the game of golf, but she also broke down gender barriers with her important contributions to the game. In 1963, Althea Gibson became the first black golfer to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
Who is the most influential black golfer?
We have compiled a list of the most influential black golfers in the sport. Charlie Sifford. Char lie Sifford made a permanent mark in history as one ...
Who is the most successful African American golfer?
Calvin Peete. When it comes to success in golf, it is impossible to not mention Calvin Peete. Peete oozed with pure golf talent and ultimately became one of the most successful African American golfers in history. Peete was self-taught but was known for having one of the best driving accuracies.
Is golf a totem pole sport?
Email. When it comes to a sport that represents diversity, golf is usually the least on the totem pole, but some African American golfers have contributed to the sport in historical and monumental ways.
Who was the first black golfer?
In 1948, Ted Rhodes played in the U.S. Open at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, California and became recognized as the first African-American professional golfer. Rhodes played mostly in United Golf Association sanctioned tournaments during his career, winning about 150 times. In the 1960s Rhodes mentored several black PGA players including Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford. In 1998, posthumous, Rhodes was inducted into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame.
Who was the first African American to play on the PGA Tour?
1. Charlie Sifford. Not only was Charlie Sifford the first African American to play on the PGA Tour, but he also won the Greater Hartford Open in 1967 and the Los Angeles Open in 1969. He went on to win the United Golf Association’s National Negro Open six times, and the PGA Seniors’ Championship in 1975.
When did Bill Spiller start playing golf?
Bill Spiller didn’t take up the sport of golf until he was about 30. Spiller started competing and winning blacks-only amateur golf tournaments during the 1940s. Spiller spent most of his professional career combating racial segregation and inequalities with the PGA in golf.
When did Charles Owens join the PGA?
Charles Owens became a professional golfer in 1967 and joined the PGA Tour in 1970. During his seven years on the Tour, Owens won the 1971 Kemper Asheville Open, a “satellite” PGA Tour event. In 1987 he won the Ben Hogan Award and was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame in 2007. 10.
Who was the most successful African American golfer?
Before there was a Tiger, Calvin Peete was the most successful African-American to have played on the PGA Tour, with 12 wins. Peete was the leader in driving accuracy on the PGA Tour for 10 straight years, 1981–90, and was inducted into the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Who is Renee Powell?
Renee Powell. Renee Powell was the second African-American woman ever to play on the LPGA Tour . Powell competed in more than 250 professional golf tournaments and won the Kelly Springfield Open in Brisbane, Australia.
Who is Tiger Woods' niece?
Cheyenne Woods is the niece of Tiger Woods. In April 2011, Woods won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship. In 2012, Woods turned professional after graduating from Wake Forest. She qualified for the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open by finishing as co-medalist at her qualifier and made her professional debut at the 2012 LPGA Championship. Woods had her first professional win on the SunCoast Ladies Series in late August 2012. She is the sixth African-American to play on the LPGA Tour.
Who was the first African American tennis player to win the year end title?
First African American to hold the year-end #1 rank in tennis: Serena Williams. First African American to be named year-end world champion by the International Tennis Federation: Serena Williams.
Who was the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal?
First African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal: Alice Coachman. First African American on an Olympic basketball team and first African-American Olympic gold medal basketball winner: Don Barksdale, in the 1948 Summer Olympics.
What is the shorthand for African Americans?
The shorthand phrase for this is "breaking the color barrier".
Who was the first NBA player to play in a regular season game?
^ Clifton was the first to sign an NBA contract and subsequently play, Cooper was the first to be drafted by an NBA team, and Lloyd was the first to play in an NBA regular-season game because his team's opening game was one day before the others.
Who was the first black player to play in the NHL?
Willie O'Ree debuts with the Boston Bruins in a game against the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first Black player to play in the NHL. Willie would later be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame 60 years later
Who was the first African American to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame?
First African American to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame: Wendell Scott. First African-American commissioner of a major North American sports league: Jeffrey Orridge, Canadian Football League.
Who was the first African American to win the Super Bowl?
First African American to play in a men's major golf championship: Lee Elder ( The Masters) First African American to be named Super Bowl MVP in NFL: Franco Harris ( Pittsburgh Steelers ). Of mixed heritage, Harris was also first Italian American to win the award.
Who was the first black golfer to open a golf course in the United States?
The father-and-daughter Powells were both pioneers in their way. Businessman Bill Powell was the first Black to build, own and operate a golf course in the United States: Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio, which opened in 1948. Renee Powell was the second Black woman to gain LPGA membership.
Who was the first black golfer to play in the 1975 Masters?
Lee Elder (left) gets reassurance from Gene Littler as the pair prepare to tee off in the 1975 Masters, where Elder became the first black golfer to play that tournament.
Why was PGA member Shippen denied membership?
Shippen later worked as a clubmaker and club professional. However, the PGA of America denied membership to Shippen, due to its policy of racial discrimination. In 2011, the PGA of America posthumously made Shippen a member of the PGA. 02.
What did Louis do to help the PGA?
Louis played a vital role in the fight to desegregate the PGA Tour. At the 1952 San Diego Open, Louis, playing as an amateur on a sponsor invitation, became the first Black golfer to play a PGA Tour tournament run by the PGA of America, as the PGA did not want to block such a famous figure from the tournament. In addition to championing the desegregation of the PGA Tour—which ultimately took place in 1961—Louis supported other Black golfers and helped found The First Tee, a charitable children's organization.
When did the PGA stop certifying black golfers?
The PGA settled out of court but did not begin certifying Black golfers as PGA Professionals until late 1961. Rhodes and other Black golfers remained barred from PGA Tour events.
Where did Ted Rhodes play golf?
In the 1930s, he became golf instructor to Joe Louis and other Black celebrities. In 1940, Rhodes relocated to Southern California, and in 1948 he qualified for the U.S. Open, becoming the first Black golfer since John Shippen to play in that tournament.
Who was the golfer who was barred from the San Diego Open?
Bill Spiller after being barred from playing the 1952 San Diego Open. Bill Spiller was a top golfer in the United Golf Association who joined Ted Rhodes in fighting for the desegregation of the PGA. In 1952, Spiller was invited to play in the San Diego Open (alongside Joe Louis), but the PGA barred Spiller from entry.
