Brown among those who blazed the trail for Calvin Peete, Tiger Woods
Just two days after the death of pro golfer Calvin Peete, winner of the 1985 Players champion, we have lost yet another pioneering African American golfer.
The Memorial service is being held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at the Corinthian Baptist Church located at 700 S. James H. Mcgee Blvd, Dayton, Ohio 45402. Telephone: 937-223-2373
Pete Brown, the first black golfer to win a PGA Tour event, died today, Friday, May 1, in Augusta, Ga., at Doctors Hospital. Brown was age 80.
Brown achieved a number of golf wins including the 1964 Waco Turner Open and the 1970 Andy Williams-San Diego Open. During his long 17-year career on the PGA Tour these were some of the greatest highlights.
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According to the Augusta Chronicle a source said that Brown had suffered from strokes and congestive heart failure in recent years.
“Pete had a lot of medical challenges,” Ramona Harriet told the Chronicle. “He was a strong man. He was a fighter. He beat all the odds. He was strong not just on the golf course but off it.” Harriet is a black golf historian who has created a traveling exhibit that honors the history of players and caddies.
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“Pete joined us as a special guest in 2010, during our very first Augusta GolfFEST program in Augusta, Ga., at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum. His bright smile lit up the room and folks from all around came to embrace him and show their love. He was not well, but made it out to the program in a wheelchair to support Ramona’s exhibit and our efforts to grow the game among minorities during Masters Week,” said Debert Cook, publisher of this publication that had previously done a feature editorial on Brown when his golf friend, Jim Dent, graciously provided him with much-needed housing.
Brown, grew up in Port Gibson, Mississippi and he started out in golf as a caddie. After turning professional he was a four-time winner of the National Negro Open, a tournament for black players during at a time when blacks were prohibited from being members of the PGA of America and playing on the PGA Tour.
In 1963, Brown finally became a PGA Tour member. This occurred just two years after Charlie Sifford, a World Golf Hall of Fame member, broke that color barrier.
Related Story: Pete Brown Statement From The Family
Related Story: Pete Brown Ceremonial Tee Shot 21 Ball Salute
