(far left) Tiffany White, Granddaughter of Ted Rhodes, Erika Birdie Shavers, Mark Lowry (back row), Dr. Michael Cooper, Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion in Golf, Craig Bowen, CBB Golf Consultants (back row), Peggy Rhodes-White, daughter of PGA professional golfer Ted Rhodes.
By Demetrice Burgess
February 12, 2020–The Jackson Park Golf Association in association with CBB Golf Consultants presented “Celebrating African American Golf Pioneers, Charting a More Diverse Future” a special Black History Month forum to over 100 attendees on February 12 in the Illinois Black Legislator’s Auditorium at The DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, IL from 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
The free public program provided a wealth of golf information as it relates to African Americans who are, or were, pioneers of the sport which was once strongly segregated throughout America’s golf courses, professional tournaments, private golf clubs, and other sectors of the sport.
Craig Bowen, president, CBB Golf Consultants
“Our ‘Celebrating African American Golf Pioneers and Chartering A More Diverse Future’ event was great last night,” said Tiffany White, Managing Director at the Ted Rhodes Foundation. “Thanks Tracy Raoul and Jackson Park Golf Association for inviting us to be on the panel! There was good dialogue about how to move the game of golf forward!” said White on her webpage posting. She declared special thanks to Sheila Barber, Linda and Michael Coles, Don Jackson, and Mylon for braving the snowstorm to support this event! Chicago residents attending the program are battling a snowstorm, high winds and record-level cold temperatures for their city this winter.
Michael Cooper with Tiffany White at DuSable Museum of African American History.
Attendees engaged in a panel session with lively dialogue and noteworthy questions about the historical significance and current-day importance of golf in the Black community. Panelists included: Peggy Rhodes-White, daughter of PGA professional golfer Ted Rhodes, Tiffany White, Granddaughter of Ted Rhodes, Andre Stephens, Sr., great-grandson of Walter and Nettie George Speedy, Dr. Michael Cooper, Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion in Golf, and Juan Espejo, PGA Profession at Maryville Golf Academy.
(L-R) Tiffany White, Tracy Raoul, Peggy Rhodes-White
Catering with light refreshments was provided by Bon Manager and the evening included a screening of “Uneven Fairways” a story of the Negro Leagues of Golf by Pete McDaniel and Dr. Calvin Sinnette and directed by Dan Levinson. Guests were also able to view interesting golf artifacts that were on display, courtesy of individuals and members of several of Chicago’s golf leagues and clubs.
Additional programs are being planned for upcoming months at the DuSable Museum of African American History and in March, for Women’s History Month, the organization will host a program on the history of women’s involvement in golf. For more information is available at https://jpgachicago.com/mission
