Throughout American history, the U.S. Postal Service has honored individuals whose contributions have shaped the nation and left an enduring legacy. While the late actress/comedienne Betty White was a beloved entertainer the case for honoring golfing legend John Shippen on a U.S. postage stamp far more compelling due to his groundbreaking impact on American sports and racial barriers. White is going to be honored on March 27 with the release of her portrait on a Commemorative U.S Forever Stamp, announced the U.S. Postal Service.
John Matthew Shippen, Jr. was not only the first American-born golf professional but also the first African American to play in the U.S. Open Golf Tournament in 1896. At a time when segregation and racial barriers were deeply entrenched in society, Shippen courageously competed in a sport dominated by white elites, paving the way for future generations of diverse golfers. His participation in the U.S. Open—where he finished tied for fifth—was a significant moment in sports history, breaking racial barriers long before the Civil Rights Movement.
Shippen dedicated his life to golf, serving as a professional at multiple clubs, most notably the Shady Rest Golf Course in New Jersey, the first African American-owned country club, where he worked from 1924 to 1960. A true entrepreneur, he also crafted and sold his own golf clubs, stamped with the signature “J.M. Shippen.” His legacy extends beyond the fairways, as his resilience and excellence continue to inspire African American athletes who seek to break barriers in professional sports. “It is mysterious to me as to why so many others are being honored on a U.S. Postage Stamp while golfing legend John Shippen waits in the shadows,” said Debert Cook, publisher of AAGD.
Since 2015, the John Shippen Memorial Golf Foundation has been leading a dedicated campaign to secure a U.S. Heritage or Commemorative Stamp in Shippen’s honor. This initiative, led by Ruby and Thurman Simmons, has sought to ensure that Shippen’s legacy is recognized at a national level. The Simmons couple, married for over 62 years, has spent more than three decades preserving Shippen’s story and fighting for his rightful place in history.
“The tribute stamp would be an inspiration to students, educators, and the golf community throughout the world,” Thurman Simmons said in a 2021 interview with this publication. “There’s never been any golfer, Black or otherwise, that has had a U.S. postage stamp. I also believe that it would be a great selling stamp all around the world.”
The case for Shippen’s recognition is further strengthened by the United States Postal Service’s 2020 decision to honor Arnold Palmer with a commemorative stamp in 2020, citing his role in making golf accessible to the masses. If Palmer, a beloved golfer, can receive this national honor, it is only fitting that Shippen—who broke racial barriers and was the first American-born professional golfer—receives the same distinction.
Shippen’s legacy aligns with the ideals of perseverance, excellence, and breaking racial barriers—values echoed in the words of Frederick Douglass, who once said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” Shippen’s struggle against racism and exclusion laid the foundation for the inclusion of African Americans in professional golf, making his achievements truly historic.
Honoring John Shippen with a U.S. postage stamp would not only celebrate his contributions to golf but also serve as an enduring tribute to his role in American history. It is time for the nation to recognize this trailblazer and ensure that his legacy is cemented alongside other sports greats.
4 comments
John Shippen endured the rampant racism with class and dignity in the 1896 U.S. OPEN FINISHING IN THE TOP TEN! The obstacles he overcame during that era makes him a deserving recipient of this honor.
John,
We are humbly grateful for this beautiful article written in support of John Matthew Shippen. We acknowledge all your support, guidance, and love of the game, including your dedication to the John Shippen Youth Academy .
Mr. Perry is correct! While we enjoyed her show, what Mr. Shippen endured to achieve anything, far exceeds what Ms. White did.
My being a former retired postal employee, I’m totally disappointed and outraged that these little nuggets of blatant disregard and neglect towards equity and inclusion keep resurfacing it’s ugly little head and becoming more prevalant than they were in the turbulent 60’s and 70’s.
You hate to play the race card and cry discrimination, but come on man, enough is enough. Not taking anything away from the beloved and charismatic Betty White, but she don’t get to be awarded a postal stamp before John Shippen. The first born golf professional and African American to play in the U.S. Open Golf Championship in 1896.
I understand that John Shippen hasn’t been a household name in the minds and way that Betty White has, but that’s to no fault of his. As a matter of fact it’s been a fault that Americahas to own up to, due to it’s own racist politics.
John Shippen has been like so many other pioneers of color, overlooked and made invisible.
We’ve seen this movie before, thousands of times, in spite of great strides and progress, in race relations here in this country. We still find ourselves on the short end of the stick. To borrow a quote from the late Malcolm X, “if someone sticks a knife in you six inches and pulls it out two, is that progress”?
I for one have had the privilege to have been the Head Coach of the John Shippen Youth Golf Academy, under the leadership of Thurman and Ruby Simmons, at the Scotch Hills Golf Club, in Scotch Plains, N.J. for eleven years, so I have a personal interest in this matter. The former and historic Shady Rest Golf & Country Club. That in itself is a significant story for another day perhaps.
Under the tutelage and influence of Thurman & Ruby Simmons, I was introduced to the rich history and legacy of John Shippen and the Shady Rest. I have memories of Thurman giving me a VHS video tape about John Shippen and the Shady Rest, which I personally hand carried down to the World Golf Hall of Fame during one of my many trips to Orlando. I was flying into Jacksonville on that occasion, so I-95 to Orlando goes right by the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fl. I handed it over to the authorities there, even though they said that they had never heard of him. The rest is history, Go figure.
I have another memory of Thurman & Ruby submitting a request around 2012 or 2013, to honor John Shippen for selection and confirmation for a comemorative stamp consideration to the proper authorities at La’Flant Plaza, in Washington, D.C. which was eventually denied. Myself and many others signed a petition drawn up by Thurman & Ruby. Seven years later, around 2020, COVID ERA, the legendary Arnold Palmer was awarded a comemorative stamp and well deserved, got no problem with that one, but Betty White’s induction can come a little further down the road.
Not taking anything away from Betty White, loved her chemistry and personality. From her antics with her late husband Allan London, to her lovable character on the hit Sit-Con The Golden Girls, including my all time favorite, Lake Placid, where she naively feeds the little baby crocodiles.
Great body of work, no doubt, but John Shippen’s groundbreaking, legendary, accomplishments stands at the pantheons of immortality and American History. I’m talking Mount Rushmore stuff.
I’m just saying.
John Perry
AAGD