(Photo: Clinton M. Bowen)
What a special privilege it was for me to be in attendance at the Memorial Homegoing Services for our Brother in Golf, Mr. Alfred “Rabbit” Dyer. A Life Celebration Service for the Professional Golfer and famous Caddie for Gary Player was held on Saturday 12/14/2019, at the Mount Rock Missionary Baptist Church in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. The Church today still has many of Rabbit’s family as its Members, and it is Pastored by one of Rabbit’s Brothers, Rev. Bernard Dyer.
Much testimony was spoken by friends and family about Rabbit’s contributions in life, about his giving spirit. Not all of the family members played or even liked golf, but almost everyone in the family caddied at the nearby Metairie Country Club in the 1950’s and early 1960’s —just for the money. Times were tough back then, but “families worked hard and helped each other out, and the neighborhoods were safe.” Some folks said they couldn’t understand why Rabbit liked that game of golf so much, but that he was still a mentor to all of them.
As for myself, an advocate of the Game and also of minority participation and diversity in the golf industry, I was really moved by certain testimony from peers and those who caddied with Rabbit on the PGA Tour, and from those who traveled and played with him on the Black Mini-Tours. We know that he has been the only Black Caddie to win all four Majors. We know that he has now been inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame. But did you know this? As his brother, Felton Dyer said: “if you traveled and played with him on the Black Mini-Tours, he would give you half of his earnings if you didn’t win anything for yourself. Just a real giving spirit.” Rabbit was truly a pioneer for all minorities in golf, and definitely a part of the “Uneven Fairways.”
(Photo: Clinton M. Bowen)
When I first started playing golf in the mid-late 1960’s, I watched the game on TV and the only Black person in the broadcast was that big tall Caddie named “Rabbit,” carrying the bag for the South African, Mr. Gary Player. Rabbit didn’t know me, but I was inspired by him (and by Gary Player and others) to continue on in my own pursuit of the game, (and in business, etc.), because I saw him, and I believed good things were possible. He was right, and I’m a testimony. We must continue our own efforts to support and inspire one another, and to acknowledge those who have helped us along the way.
