Editor's Note: To commemorate Black History Month, PGA.com and The PGA of America have put together this special section spotlighting some of golf's African-American heroes, focusing on those with a close connection to The PGA. Please check back frequently as we will be adding to this section throughout Black History Month.
VIDEO: DR. JEFFREY SAMMONS ON JIMMIE DEVOE
On Feb. 17, historian and professor Dr. Jeffrey Sammons visited PGA headquarters and the PGA Museum of Golf to commemorate Black History Month. At PGA HQ, Sammons presented an in-depth look at the life and impact of Jimmie DeVoe, one of the first African-Americans to gain PGA membership, a trailblazing player and a noted instructor to many celebrities and other prominent amateurs.
WATCH: Video of Sammons' presentation on DeVoe
READ: Sammons discusses pioneer DeVoe as PGA marks Black History Month
PODCAST: BILL SPILLER JR. AND EARNIE ELLISON
Bill Spiller Jr., the son of the late PGA Professional Bill Spiller, joined PGA Director of Business and Community Relations Earnie Ellison for a special podcast celebrating Black History Month. In the podcast, they discuss many African-American golf pioneers, Bill Spiller's success on the golf course and the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.
LISTEN: PGA Black History Month podcast with Spiller and Ellison
READ: Interview with the PGA's Earnie Ellison
READ: PGA post-graduate program aimed at diversifying PGA membership
RODNEY GREEN AND INNISBROOK RESORT
Minority Report: How Innisbrook Resort is helping to change the face of golf
The famed Innisbrook Resort is well-known for four championship courses, a PGA Tour event and its elite service to guests. But it's also gaining recognition for changing the way the sport is viewed in the African-American community.
READ: The story of Rodney Green and Innisbrook Resort
BIG MOMENTS, GREAT PEOPLE
From John Shippen breaking barriers at the 1896 U.S. Open to Tiger Woods shattering virtually every PGA Tour record of consequence, African-Americans have played a significant role in the development of golf down through the years. Here is a timeline of their noteworthy achievements on and off the course, and a photo gallery of prominent players:
SEE: Trailblazing African-American golfers photo gallery
READ: Timeline of African-American achievements in golf
AFRICAN-AMERICAN PIONEERS
In November of 2009, The PGA of America bestowed honorary membership on John Shippen, Bill Spiller and Ted Rhodes, three great trailblazers whose efforts ultimately led to the opening of professional golf up to all players. Boxing great Joe Louis received honorary membership at the same time.
SEE: African-American pioneers photo gallery
READ: PGA of America bestows membership on African-American pioneers
COLLECTING AND PRESERVING A VITAL GOLF LEGACY
The PGA of America and the U.S. Golf Assiciation are teaming up to create a centralized repository for artifacts and documents related to the history of African-Americans in golf. The collection will be housed at the USGA Museum in New Jersey, and traveling exhibits also will be created. Here is a story about this breakthrough initiative:
READ: PGA and USGA to preserve African-American golf history
MCDANIEL REVISITS SIGNIFICANT LIVES
Golf Digest Senior Writer Pete McDaniel, the author of "Uneven Lies: The Heroic Stories of African-Americans in Golf," visited PGA of America Headquarters in 2010 for an in-depth discussion of the lives of African-American golf pioneers John Shippen, Ted Rhodes and Bill Spiller as part of Black History Month.
WATCH: Video of McDaniel's discussion at PGA Headquarters
SEE: Photo gallery of McDaniel's visit to PGA Headquarters
LISTEN: PGA Black History Month podcast with McDaniel
WILLIAM POWELL
William J. Powell overcame numerous barriers to become one of American golf's most important pioneers. He is the only African-American to design, build, own and operate a golf course, and his Clearview Golf Club is in the National Register of Historic Places.
WATCH: PGA Distinguished Service Award tribute video to William Powell
SEE: William Powell photo gallery
READ: Golf pioneer and course builder Powell passes away at 93
READ: Powell named 2009 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner
READ: Ohio Course Owners honor Powell as Person of the Year
READ: Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame inducts pioneer Powell
RENEE POWELL
Renee Powell, the daughter of 2009 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner William Powell, is a pioneer in her own right. A member of both The PGA of America and the LPGA, and named the 2003 First Lady of Golf, Powell has dedicated her career to building diversity in the game. She recently appeared on "Good Morning America" and at a New Jersey Nets game to commemorate Black History Month.
WATCH: Powell on "Good Morning America"
SEE: Renee Powell photo gallery
READ: Powell receives honorary degree from University of St. Andrews
READ: Powell named recipient of 2003 PGA First Lady of Golf Award
READ: Powell commemorates father at New Jersey Nets game
Ted Bishop
Derek Sprague
Paul Levy
Allen Wronowski
Peter Bevacqua
Comments
Keith Mitchell
Mr. Spangler, I would like to personally thank you for providing this information regarding my former golf instructor, Gordon "Goody" Goodson. I have always wondered why Goody's name was not included as one of golf's greatest African American golfer and your information has helped to clarify history. Although I was just a young kid, I followed many of Goody's matches at Warings GC and later at Sportsmen's GC. As a young man, I received his instructions and golf tips. I was fortunate enough to attend the 1956 National UGA Championship in Washington, DC at the Tidal Basin GC. In his later years, my uncle Jim "Killer" Davis and I would take Goody to various golf courses throughout Central PA where most would give him complementary green fees in recognition of his contribution to the game. We would play at least 27 or 36 holes. Even in his eighties, Goody would score no more than bogey on the majority of the courses. As you are well aware, there were many courses in Central PA that would not permit Blacks to play at that time; even Goody. I cannot imagine any golfer with a greater love of the game than Goody. I would definitely like to see The Golf Channel's Golf in America tell the real story of Golf in America for golfers like Gordon "Red" or "Goody" Goodson.
Bob Spangler
for futher clarification on my post. The UGA was the organization of predominately black golfers. Goodson was always an amateur. The UGA tournaments he won were the National black golfers championship, therefore his was the best amateur black golfer in the country at least 3times in addition to being Pa. Publinx Champion twice, plus other victories too numerous to mention.
Bob Spangler
Your films and articles on African American golfers never mentions, possibly the best African-American golfer of his time. A guy who was better than Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder, etal. His name was Gordon Goodson from Harrisburg, Pa. He was the National UGA Champion 3 times 1948, 1952, 1956. None of these other players wanted to play him for money. The story has it that Joe Louis's manager told him to keep away from Goodson or he wouldn't have any money left. Known as Red Goodson because of his naturally red tinged hair and his freckles, there was no black golfer who did not fear him. Anybody from the golf channel wanting to learn more can contact me by my email, which you now have. Perhaps the best black player of all time (except for Tiger) deserves his recognition now.
Bob Spangler
Your films and articles on African American golfers never mentions, possibly the best African-American golfer of his time. A guy who was better than Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder, etal. His name was Gordon Goodson from Harrisburg, Pa. He was the National UGA Champion 3 times 1948, 1952, 1956. None of these other players wanted to play him for money. The story has it that Joe Louis's manager told him to keep away from Goodson or he wouldn't have any money left. Known as Red Goodson because of his naturally red tinged hair and his freckles, there was no black golfer who did not fear him. Anybody from the golf channel wanting to learn more can contact me by my email, which you now have. Perhaps the best black player of all time (except for Tiger) deserves his recognition now.