Charlie Sifford

To have the greatest golfer in a generation name his child after you is the ultimate indicator of one’s contribution to the black golf world.  If you’ve seen Charlie Wood’s golf swing it’s a name well deserved.  

Charlie Sifford was the first African American to join the PGA tour in 1961 after the repeal of the Caucasian Only clause to the association’s by laws.  He knew from an early age that his life’s work was in the game of golf.  

“I was an 11th grade dropout who couldn’t go back home.  I knew one this, and that was how to play golf,” he noted in a in interview. 

Like many blacks in the south, Sifford worked as a caddy during his teenage summers. Early in his twenties he was hired by Billy Eckstine as his personal driver and golf tutor.  

His desire to pursue a career in golf was limited only by the opportunities available to him at the time.

Taking full advantage of those limited opportunities, Sifford led the opening round of the 1955 Canadian Open, causing a 24 year old Arnold Palmer to note,  “Charlie Sifford?….How on earth did Charlie Sifford shoot a 63?”  Palmer went on to win that tournament and 61 other tournaments on the PGA tour during his hall of fame career.

Charlie Sifford returned to the United States, but it would be another six years before he would be allowed to participate on the PGA tour full time.  The UGA again filled the void for Sifford as it has had for many other black golfers. Sifford won the UGA National Negro Open 6 times. 

His wins on the PGA tour were limited to just two, however his presence had an impact on the fellow players at the time as well as those who came after him.  Lee Trevino noted that Sifford should be included in the same esteem as Jackie Robinson. 

Tiger noted in a 2015 interview that he might not be in the sport if Sifford hadn’t broken that barrier.

“…..without Sifford, “I probably wouldn’t be here. My dad would have never have picked up the game. Who knows if the clause would still exist or not? But he broke it down.”