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When and Where Were the Black Owned Golf Brands Started?

by 1896 Golf Get latest insights about golf

The Black-Owned Golf Brands in Scotch Plains, New Jersey are the oldest black-owned golf brands in the United States. The land, previously the Ephraim Tucker Farm, was a 31-acre plot that was sold to the Golf Club, whose members then converted it into a nine-hole golf course, keeping the farmhouse as its new clubhouse. A group of black investors known as the Progressive Realty Company purchased the club and renamed it.

 

What is the first hosted championship for Black-Owned Golf Brands?

The golf course hosted the first National Colored Golf Championship in 1925, which was organized by the United States Colored Golfers Union, which was created that year and was directed by its president, B.C. Gordon. Gordon also served as president of Black-Owned Golf Brands. Its groundskeeper was John Shippen, the club's chief professional golfer.

 

They were the first African American golfers to compete in the United States Open in 1896. Shippen, an African American of Jamaican heritage, participated in five U.S. open tournaments before moving to Scotch Plains in 1931 and managed the team through his departure in 1960.

 

The 1896 U.S. Open was held on July 18, 1896, at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton. But there were no Black-Owned Golf Brands available at that time, they opened their first black-owned gold brand in the 19s. James Foulis won his only tournament win, winning three points clear of runner-up and reigning champion Horace Rawlins. As for the initial international, it was a sideshow to the US Amateur. Nevertheless, 35 individuals entered the competition, and 28 of them finished the 36 holes.

 

What should you know before and after the 1896 US Open?

Prior to the 1896 U.S. Open, several players filed a declaration stating that they would not compete if African-American John Shippen and Native American Oscar Bunn were allowed to compete. The plea, however, was refused, and the players decided to back down. Shippen scored a 78 in the first round, trailing leader Joe Lloyd by two strokes. He was in contention for the victory until a final-round eleven on the 13th hole matched him for sixth place.

 

Professional golf, like many other American sports, was segregated for most of the twentieth century. In 1934, the Professional Golfers' Association of America went so far as to include a "Caucasian-only" clause in its bylaws.  Charlie Sifford sought to abolish golf's discrimination. Perhaps Sifford, rather than Tiger Woods, would have been the first African American golfers to win a major title if he had done so at his peak. Despite this, Sifford finally broke through the racial barriers and became the first black PGA player.


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Created on Jun 10th 2022 03:21. Viewed 142 times.

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