BARBARA TAYLOR
Blog: November 2011
Southern California Golf Association
2011 Hall Of Fame Induction Luncheon
On October 25, 2011, The Southern California Golf Association recognized it’s 2011 Hall of Fame class. The recognition and induction luncheon was held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, in the Universal City complex, Los Angeles, California.
Inductees included not only great players, but those ‘Greats’ right here in Sunny Southern California, who have been instrumental in the growth of the game, its history, and traditions.
Two significant figures in Southern California golf history was honored, and inducted into the Southern California Golf Hall Of Fame: Amy Alcott, and the iconic Afro-American golf legend, Dr. Charles “Charlie” Sifford, who is historically considered the Jackie Robinson of Golf.
Photo: (L) Barbara Taylor and (R) Helen Caraway with Sifford.
Charlie Sifford broke the golf games stringent color barrier in 1961– the same year the PGA of America removed its Caucasian only clause– and became the first Afro-American athlete to compete on the PGA tour. His friendship with Teddy Rhodes first brought him to Southern California in the early 1950s, where he established ties with boxer Joe Louis and singer Billy Eckstine, and became part of the famous group of golfers who made their homes in Fox Hill Culver City, California.
Mr. Sifford secured his first PGA tour victory at the Greater Hartford Open in 1967; however his crowning professional moment came at Rancho Park, Los Angeles in 1969 where he won the prestigious Los Angeles Open. Charlie Sifford also won eight (8) championships while competing on the “Chittlin Circuit”.
In 1975 Mr. Sifford was hired to be Head Pro at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course in Brecksville, Ohio.
Charlie Sifford’s additional Achievements in golf:
1957– Won the Long Beach Open.
1961– Became the first Black American player to earn a PGA Tour card. He wins the 1967 Greater Hartford Open Invitational, and the 1969 Los Angeles Open, as well as the 1975 PGA seniors championship, and the 1980 Suntree Classic on what is now the Champions Tour.
2004– Became the first Afro-American to be inducted into the world Golf Hall Of Fame.
2006 -Became the first Afro-American golfer to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
2007-Received the Old Tom Morris Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
2009-The Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles creates The Charlie Sifford Exemption for a player who represents the advancement of diversity in golf.
On July 27, 2011, The Southern California Golf Association conducted a filming for a documentary and tribute video, of six Afro-American trailblazers, at Chester Washington Golf Course who had either competed against, played with, or had significantly played a part in the success of Dr. Charles Sifford
Golfers individually interviewed and filmed for the documentary were:
Alton Duhon -1985 Won The Senior Amateur Tour1986. Qualified for the PGA Tour.
Bill Wright-1986 Qualified for the PGA Tour-Was the first Black American, and only thus far, to win the U.S Publinks Championship.
Charlie Lee-1987 Qualified for the PGA Tour, Charlie also won 6 Chitlin Tour Tournament in 1976.
Jerry Bruner-1982 Turned Pro, 2001 Won the European Senior Tour, 2011 currently playing on the European Senior Tour.
Frank Snow-1980 Won the Pro Gardena, California Open.
Fred Carter-Competed against Charlie Sifford, on several “Chitlin Circuit” tours.
On behalf of the Southern California Golf Association, and their camera crew, Doris LaCour, Founder and President of the Los Angeles Tee Divas and Tee Dudes golf club, conducted the interviews for the documentary video.
(Photo: Amy Alcott, center, with Sifford and his friend Ann Brown)
Alcott competed on the LPGA Tour for 30 seasons and was inducted into its Hall of Fame and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999.
Sifford with As part of the interview the primary question asked to each interviewee by Doris LaCure was “If you were asked to describe Charlie Sifford, as a golfer, in one word, what word would you use, to exemplify him as a role model and icon?” The words that were repeatedly mentioned in each interview describing Charlie Sifford were: Determination, Courageous, Focused and devoted to the game he loved….The game of golf!
“Ole” lucky me, being at the right place at the right time, was invited to the filming and, while there, I was permitted to take still digital camera photo shots. I also received an invitation to attend the Installation luncheon ceremony.
The completed documentary video was shown at the Induction Luncheon, as a tribute to, and in honor of, Charlie Sifford. The presentation of the video was a job well done by all involved, and thoroughly enjoyed by the invited luncheon guests. There was also a memorabilia table, that included some items of Sifford’s “memories from The past”. (Memorabilia items were provided by his 6 trailblazer golf friends that were in the video.)
The Hall of Fame presenter for Dr. Charles Sifford was Mr. Pete McDaniel, senior writer at Golf Digest and author of the book “Uneven Lies”.
Charlie’s acceptance speech was gracious, humble, and it was visible that he was deeply enthralled with the glory of the moment. His first thank you, was given to the Southern California Golf Association.
Photo: Sifford signs posters for guests.
Next, he looked around at all the guests, and said, “Wow! If I could have a dollar from everybody here, I would be a rich man!” Then, Charlie thanked and acknowledged by name each one of his golf friends that were interviewed in the video. He then took a short pause, looked around again and said, “Wow!” If I had a dollar for everybody here, I would be a rich man!!”
This last hilarious repeated musing by Charlie was capped by a, coup de gras, delivered by Rosemary Spriggs, a member of the Tee Divas. As Charlie slowly, and humbly, still enthralled in the glory of the moment, walked back to his table, Rosemary tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned slowly to acknowledge the tap, he found her standing there with a dollar bill in her hand to give him! Well, the luncheon crowd loved it and so did Charlie!! The scenario was Priceless!!
Photo: Friends of Chester Washington Golf Course surround Charlie with love.
(L-R) a guest with (back row) Bill Wright, Frank Snow, Pete McDaniel, Jerry Bruner.
The 2011 Southern California Hall of Fame installation Ceremony was well received by all attendees. It was very inspiring, educational and organized. The Inductees were well introduced, and thoroughly recognized by their presenters, and their documentary videos. It was a “Dynamite” event, and “Kudos” to the Southern California Golf Association, for a job well done.
Until next time,
Barbara Taylor
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Photos courtsty of SCGA
ABOUT BARBARA TAYLOR
In April 2011, after taking a six-year hiatus from golf lessons, Taylor decided to return to the world of Golf. When she first took lessons, she found that the transition from playing a “B” level of tennis to learning to play golf was boring, and slow as hell, and as perilous as going over Niagara Falls without a barrel. So, she made a decision (that she thought was wise at the time) to give it up! Taylor’s returned to the game came with a whole new prospective, purpose, respect, and attitude…. And, yes maturity.
Unlike when she was playing tennis, Taylor had no desire to get caught-up in the competitive frenzy. She is into golf for the shear love of the fun, travel and social interactions that she has found so delightful in the golf environment and game. However, she does want to be taken seriously.
Taylor is currently being coached by the legendary Alton Duhon, at the renown Chester Washington Golf Course, in Los Angeles. The course is also the California Golf Home of Dr. Charles Sifford.
