After speaking with my good friend Dr. Michael Cooper of Tampa, FL, he informed me that in other parts of the United States, during the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, there were golf programs for kids and teenagers. But in the Southern United States, because of the Jim Crow laws, a young black person like myself were not afforded the opportunity to experience the wonderful game of golf.
Two Fold Goodness:
April is Golf & Jazz Appreciation Month and National Black Golf Month!
I was told that in the 40’s, in the black communities of Florence and Huntsville, Alabama, the young men would fashion a stick as a club, found old golf balls and dig a hole in the ground. With that they would simulate playing golf. To the best of my knowledge, in Alabama for sure, the first black caddies/golfers did not have the time or interest in introducing their kids or other kids in the community/neighborhood to golf. I assume this because due to the Jim Crow laws, they had limited access to golf course facilities and equipment themselves.
Photo: Howard Bankhead instructs youth at golf range
I remember as a kid and as a teenager having access to football, basketball and baseball programs. The rec center had a swimming pool and tennis courts. But no Junior., or youth golf program. My father (Big Bubba Bankhead) had a set of left-handed golf clubs. In the 50’s, I was told that Big Bubba coached youth baseball in the neighborhood. When I was 10-years-old, he had me playing all of the traditional sports. I remember he wanted me to play football for the great football coach Eddie Robinson at Grambling. I know he would’ve had me playing golf, if he knew there was a future in it for the black man. I also remember when we (blacks) attended the majority white schools, because of school desegregation, there was a high school golf team. But of course, my black classmates and I had no interest in what we called that “white man’s” game.
I REMEMBER WHEN….
As I reflect back to the 70’s, and realizing historically how bad the Southern United States treated its black citizens, it is amazing that our society is as peaceful as it is today. I heard that it was said in the old days (40’s, 50’s and 60”), a lot of the black caddies were better golfers then some of the country club and touring pros. Some were even good enough to teach the rich white businessman at the country clubs how to swing the clubs and read putts. However, In spite of all the barriers and hurdles, the “Caucasians-only” clause in the PGA’s constitution barred black golfers from competing. We eventually had some black pros come up through the caddy ranks and make the big Tour. Either these were special individuals, or, they came along at the right time or both!
In 2002, I started a youth golf development program because of what the Jim Crow laws denied me in the past and because of the need for more youth golf development programs today.
“Anything positive is possible”
In order to grow and continue the success of TVYGD, we ask for your love, support and donations!
Visit our website: www.golflifeskills.org
Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172
