Shoal Creek founder Thompson dies at 87, 20 years after controversy

The founder of Shoal Creek Country Club, whose comments about the admission of blacks created a stir, has died. Club President Bob Luckie says in a statement that 87-year-old Hall Thompson died Wednesday morning. Thompson developed the club in suburban Birmingham and it played host to the PGA Championship in 1984 and 1990, and the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1986. He was the subject of controversy before the 1990 PGA Championship after he was quoted as saying the golf club could not be forced into accepting blacks as members. Thompson claimed he was misquoted. The club now has black members, including former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Professional golf will return to Shoal Creek next year with the Regions Tradition, a PGA Champions Tour event.