Ted Rhodes

Ted Rhodes’ journey was similar to that of Bill Spiller’s, in that he was talented enough to play in the PGA, but his skin color prevented him from doing so. 
 
Rhodes had an earlier start than Spiller at the game of golf.  Rhodes began golfing as a teenager in Nashville, Tennessee.  It was while he was serving in the Navy, and being deployed to World War 2, Rhodes met boxer Joe Louis, and began to teach Louis how to play golf. 
 
Rhodes was recognized as the first black professional golfer, and in 1948 played in the US Open.  After Rhodes and Spiller dropped their lawsuit amid promised changes by the PGA, Rhodes played in mostly UGA sponsored events.  Rhodes would win over 150 times in UGA tournaments before retiring. 
 
Black golfers like Lee Elder, were mentored by Rhodes after he retired and returned to Nashville in the 1960’s. 
 
Rhodes sadly passed away at the young age of 55, but his legacy lives on today in his native Tennessee, and the golf world.  The Cumberland Golf Course in Nashville was renamed to the Ted Rhodes Golf Course.  In 1988, Rhodes was inducted into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame. 
 
Both Rhodes and Bill Spiller were given membership to the PGA posthumously in 2009.  Boxer Joe Louis was also recognized as a PGA member.  Rhodes was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. 
 
Long after his death, Rhodes continues to fight for equality of black golfers in the United States, as evidenced by his charitable foundation. The Ted Rhodes Foundation was created in 1993, and is run by his granddaughter Tiffany White.  The foundation educates people about Rhodes’ legacy and promotes participation of black people in golf by hosting golf tournaments and clinics for youths and adults. 
 
The Ted Rhodes Foundation supports black students by giving scholarships to students of historically black colleges and universities.