Ann Gregory

An amazing golfer who won more than 300 golf tournaments, Ann Gregory didn’t pick up the game until she moved to Gary Indiana in 1930 at age 28.

After the move to the north, Ann initially shunned golf for tennis.  Her husband Leroy, an avid golfer, was a member of the “Par-Breakers” a social group for black golfers.  When Leroy left for service in WW2, Ann picked up the game while he was overseas.

Once Ann turned her interest to golf she quickly became proficient. When her husband returned from the war she was soon beating him and the rest of his Par-Breaker friends.

However, in the 1940s there were few places in Gary Indiana where blacks were able to play a round of golf.  The Gary African American community was relegated to a 9 hole course while the white patronage enjoyed use of the 18 hole facility.

One day in 1960, Ann had had enough.  She walked into the clubhouse slammed her money on the counter and announced she would be playing the 18 hole course, and if they had a problem to call the police.  However the police were not called and the opposite happened.  More blacks followed Ann’s example and started playing the 18 hole course.

Further Reading: Playing Through Racial Barriers