Invisible Golfers: African-Americans' PGA Tour-Quest

By Jeffrey JC Callaway

Since the game's introduction to America in the latter part of the 19th century, African-Americans maintained an affinity for the sport. The infamous "Caucasian Only" clause had kept blacks stagnated for sixty years; but it has been over three decades since the elimination of that clause, and, obviously, the void remains. In addition to this, there were several other issues that needed to be addressed. Many golf enthusiasts had misconceptions, or simply did not understand the necessary measures that one has to take in order to become a tour-caliber player.

Today, the lack of finances and/or sponsorship support seemingly play a major role toward allowing players to gain necessary tournament experiences in order to have a greater chance to make it onto the PGA Tour, and excel at golf's highest competitive level. Still, many had received some type of financial support at one time or another but failed to produce at the crucial time — they didn't seize the opportunity — and their support vanished. But why didn't they produce when they had the chance? What was really stopping them from getting past that final obstacle? Was there something missing in their training and mental process? Based on these questions and other ones, readers will discover that there may exist latent problems within African-Americans' games and psyche that were being overlooked constantly, which, inadvertently, has kept them from ascending to the next level.

There are particular games within professional golf that one must play — and African-Americans simply had not been playing those games very well: They range from the players' self-determinism, work ethics, and business skills, to communication and community support. The context of this book begins with the earl

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098399443

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INVISIBLE GOLFERS:

AFRICAN-AMERICANS’ PGA TOUR- QUEST

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2021 by J. C. Callaway

ISBN: 9781098399443

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review or article, without written permission from the author or publisher.

Cover Design: Joyce Coffland Artistic Concepts Oakland, California

Second Edition 2000, Third Edition 2020

Printed in the United States of America by: Amazing Experiences Press, Concord, California

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my daughter Tori, who once called me the greatest golfer in the world.

Acknowledgments

I wish to acknowledge various persons who have showed interest and made contributions toward the completion of this book. Patricia Cook, Milton McFarlane, Charles Seymour, Audrey L. Mathews, Bill Dickey, Joyce Coffland. My appreciation is also extended to the wonderful staff at the Amateur Athletic Foundation, in Los Angeles, CA, who provided research information.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Majestic Game of Golf

Chapter 2 Black Pros: The Early Years

Chapter 3 Changes

Chapter 4 The Wide-Open Tour

Chapter 5 The Senior Tour

Chapter 6 Game Awareness

Chapter 7 A Golfer’s Blueprint

Chapter 8 Bona Fide Professional

Chapter 9 The Caddie Man

Chapter 10 The Pros and Cons of Gambling

Chapter 11 Tournament Play

Chapter 12 The Sponsorship Game and Financial Woes

Chapter 13 A PGA Tour Presentation

Chapter 14 Invisible Golfers Appear

References

Illustrations

John Shippen

Lee Elder

Charlie Sifford

Teddy Rhodes

Calvin Peete

Jim Thorpe

Tiger Woods

Jim Dent

Charlie Owens

Ace Kids Golf Team

Sugar Ray Leonard

Samuel L. Jackson

Mike Williams

African American Caddies.

Fred Carter

William Wright

Alton Duhon,

Introduction

Golf has emerged as a popular sport in the United States. Millions of people of every race, creed, color and various financial backgrounds flock to courses to enjoy the scenery, camaraderie, fun, and recreation. Concurrently, the PGA Tour is experiencing rapid popularity — proven by record-breaking attendance at its tournament sites. Corporations contribute millions of dollars for tour sponsorship. Therefore, tournament purses have increased, and many players are reaping considerable income for their performances.

It is obvious, however, that African-Americans are in a state of non-existence in the professional arena; even though they currently constitute a large percentage of the sport’s population. Spectators who want to see more black players on tour are curious about why such paucity exist.

Since the game’s introduction to America (in the latter part of the 19th century), African-Americans maintained an affinity for the sport. Yet at the time of this writing, there is only one on tour — Tiger Woods. And during the previous decade, there has been only two who competed regularly — Calvin Peete and Jim Thorpe. We can clearly see that there is something definitely wrong with that scenario.

Throughout my twenty-five years of experience in golf (as a junior, high school, and university player, as well as a driving range manager, caddie, course marshal and starter), I have heard various reasons explaining why blacks remain invisible as tour players. The foremost reasons, naturally, were race discrimination and economics — which has proven to be indisputable facts. The infamous Caucasian Only clause had kept blacks stagnated for sixty years; but it has been three decades since the elimination of that clause, and, obviously, the void remains. I felt that there were several other issues that needed to be addressed. In addition, I realized that many people had misconceptions, or simply did not understand the necessary measures that one has to take in order to become a tour-caliber player.

After I decided to turn professional, I eventually realized (after five years of much heartache) that I had overlooked some primary and vital steps in preparation for my tour-quest. And, what really baffled me (and others), were the number of previous players — who possessed great skills — that fell by the wayside. Some of those golfers were considered local legends in the black community, and for unknown reasons, were unable to break through the final barrier which kept them off the tour. What also disturbed me, was seeing my contemporaries dropping out of the tour-quest as well.

Once again, the lack of finances played a role toward the extinction of those players. Still, many had received some type of financial support at one time or another but failed to produce at the crucial time — they didn’t seize the opportunity — and their support vanished. But why didn’t they produce when they had the chance? What was really stopping them from getting past that final obstacle? Was there something missing in their training and mental process? Based on these questions and other ones, I postulated the following thought: there were latent problems in African- Americans’ games and psyche, that were constantly being overlooked, which, inadvertently, kept them from ascending to the next level.

After all, there was not any current information circulating within the black community (except for the release of Charlie Sifford’s biography in 1992) that probed thoroughly into the subject on how blacks can progress onto the tour. Therefore, I began a personal exploration into the matter. And, what I basically discovered: there are particular games within professional golf that one must play — and African-Americans simply had not been playing those games very well. They range from the players’ self- determinism, work ethics and business skills, to communication and community support.

While doing my research and gathering information, I found myself on a time track: beginning with the early professionals, John Shippen and Dewey Brown. Later, I progressed through the Spiller, Rhodes, and Sifford era. And, naturally, my studies ended with Elder, Peete, Thorpe, Dent and Woods. Along the way, I noted certain qualities and skills that made these men special.

Most of the vital information, however, emerged from interviews that I conducted with past players from the 1950’s, 60s and 70s (who I affectionately call veterans), who either competed briefly on tour or made several attempts at it. In addition, I spoke to amateur players who won numerous tournaments and have been involved with the game for a number of years (some for more then five decades), and witnessed the skills of those veterans — when they were in their prime. And, of course, I talked with those who are presently making their tour-quest, as well as those who have recently dropped out. These golfers’ valuable hindsight provides wisdom and foresight for present and future professionals.

Senior professional, Jim Dent, was the only current Black PGA Tour player that granted me a full interview. However, I was fortunate enough to converse briefly with other PGA Tour players such as Nick Price, Jay Haas, Gay Brewer and Walt Zembrisky. They were amiable in sharing a few pointers and discussed their viewpoints about the realities of tour life.

The information presented herein, in my opinion, not only mentions the problems, but provides solutions. There is a popular saying which states: Those who know, know, and those who don’t know, need to know. This book in about knowing what need to be known. So, let us begin our quest.

Chapter One

The Majestic Game of Golf

The game of golf embodies naturalistic qualities that seem appealing to everyone who plays. The open space, fresh air, green grass, lakes, giant trees, and the solid earth beneath us are surroundings in which we feel completely comfortable. We all enjoy our walks down fairways, taking solemn moments to listen to birds as they chirp from nearby tree limbs. This environment induces us to express and enjoy ourselves as we play.

Although the game has been around for centuries, it is always fresh and new in our experiences each time we play. We sometimes feel suspended in time, with our own thoughts, without worries or concerns about our world outside of golf. Often, we experience a sort of oblivion, which seems to have a hypnotic and tranquil effect on our being, and we seem to blend with the environment. At times we may even feel a balanced connection with our optimum selves and with nature.

Our love, anger and anxieties about the game can be expressed completely as we play; we smile, laugh, and sometimes shout vulgarities, as we watch the ball curiously, as it soars in the air, and we hope that it will come to rest at the desired spot. It is only a game some may say, but to many, golf means much more. It has infiltrated some aspect of our lives; we find ourselves contemplating our games as we engage in our daily tasks, and we sometimes set our busy schedules around our golf dates. Some of us may become somewhat religious about playing, as if it were something we must do for our own salvation; therefore, we become obsessed as if we have a form of addiction.

As in life itself, there is a certain mystery about the game, which urges us to unravel its secrets. We remain advertent and curious. As we address a shot, we may ask ourselves what the outcome will be. And this anticipation may sometimes cause us to hurry, which conflicts with the very nature of the game. So, if we choose to be wise, we must remain patient and find a way to harness our excited energies.

The game can also be elusive; one day we seem to have what it takes to be proficient, the next day we do not. No matter how good one becomes or how high one’s social status is, no one can master the game. The wealthy spend millions of dollars on the best equipment, lessons, and other paraphernalia, but it may all be in vain because a good game can’t be bought. The strong have attempted to power their way toward mastering it; but the game does not yield to strength and has sent many back-home crying. We create tournaments, so players can showcase their acquired skills, and cheer for those who tend to make it look easy. But even these players who have gained lofty achievements, recognize that there is always something more to learn, which only the game itself, in time, can cause to unfold.

Golf has a long-documented history beginning in Scotland sometime during the fifteen centuries; and, at that time, it was a game enjoyed primarily by the aristocracy. In 1754, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club became the ruling body, and St. Andrews was the main golf course for the upper class (but the course was open for play to the general public). During the 1890’s, as the game’s popularity increased, it found its way to the United States where it was played predominantly by wealthy sportsmen.

Naturally, the game of golf and real estate became a connecting point for millionaires. The game offered recreation and a social environment of the highest order, and the land, quite naturally, presented an opportunity to build something that could be considered a worthy investment. These factors were desirable for capitalist businessmen who had the foresight to recognize the large profit potential that golf courses could offer eventually, as well as provide a pleasant social atmosphere to mingle and make other business contacts. Thus, one of many beloved courses was Shinnecock Hills, in Newport, Rhode Island, built on an old Indian burial site. Indians themselves, worked as hired hands during the course’s construction; and after being built, the club became a center for socially prominent and wealthy individuals.

Ironically, the golf professionals during this period, were considered second class citizens. They were mostly artisans immigrants from Scotland, and many worked as club makers, greens keepers and caddies. Their primary duties were to serve the members. They could play with members, give them lessons, and have customer relationships with them, but could not enter the clubhouse except through entrances of the service quarters. Professionals in general were servants, and little importance was placed on their position. They faced a discrimination which denied them certain access and privileges in playing golf. That stigma of being considered low class or socially undesirable, would remain with them for decades to follow. Golf’s social class in the United States was thus established and the game existed, as a sport for certain affluent individuals in the upper echelon of America’s class structure. However, the majestic game proved inevitably to be one that could not be limited to class social structure, or to race, creed, color, or religion, when a black American (part Indian) managed to establish himself as a real player, early in American golf history.

John Shippen

From the Collection of the United States Golf Association. All Rights Reserved

Chapter Two

Black Pros: The Early Years

John Shippen, Jr.

John Matthew Shippen Jr. was born in Washington DC in 1879, and is documented as being possibly the first American born golf professional in the United States. However, the certainty of his race is unclear. While his daughter, Clara Shippen Johnson, has stated that her father was a black man and her mother was a full-blooded Indian, historical notes indicate that Shippen