On February 5 the Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club (TDTD) celebrated the golf achievements of its juniors while hosting “A Significant Moment in Black Golf History” presentation to recognize Theodore Ted Rhodes. In 1948, Rhodes became the first Black professional golfer to play in the U.S. Open, since 1913 when John Shippen, after much protesting, was allowed to participate.
The event included a presentation of the Doris LaCour Community Leadership Award to the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) in recognition of their efforts since 2008 to create a career pathway to the Professional Golf Association (PGA) tour for minority professional golfers. The award was accepted by Cole Smith, Executive Director of the APGA Foundation, which has also invested time and resources to support junior golfers, especially those who are from underrepresented groups.
Earlier this year, on January 29, the APGA provided bus transportation to the Torrey Pines golf course in San Diego, so that the Tee Divas & Tee Dudes golf club juniors would have an opportunity to see a professional golf tournament with Black professional golfers.
In recognition of the Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club efforts to develop junior golfers in the Los Angeles community, representatives from the USGA were in attendance at the event. Mike Sweeney, Director, Regional Affairs – West and Charlie Howe, Director – U.S. Open, brought the U.S. Open Trophy to Chester Washington Golf Course, so that the junior golfers, club members and parents would have an opportunity to see and take pictures with the famed trophy.
In June 2023, the USGA will return to the greater Los Angeles area and host the 123rd U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club. The last Los Angeles based U.S. Open was held over 75 years ago at the Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades and legendary golfer Ben Hogan won that tournament. Ted Rhodes was also in that 1948 U.S. Open, even though Black golfers were not allowed to participate in mainstream Professional golf tournaments. California has always led the country in addressing issues of race and equality.
“It was a very successful event — our juniors had an opportunity to shine, along with their parents and of course – the highlight was the U.S. Open Trophy coming to Chester Washington Golf course — home to Black golf legend *Charlie Sifford,” said Jenny Bethune, Junior Chair.
The Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club currently has over 40 juniors and 10 college golfers who are members. The majority of its juniors are from the South Los Angeles community and are working towards becoming competitive golfers in order to qualify for a college golf scholarship in the future.
Bethune says, “Through our program, TDTD Junior golfers are involved in numerous golf activities and receive support from our partnerships with local golf associations. As a golf club our program is unique, because we don’t teach golf, but work with partners – Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) and Southern California Professional Golf Association (SCPGA) who provide certified youth instructors to teach golf, along with hosting junior golf tournaments.”
The Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club also advocates and serves as a resource for its junior golfers and their parents —many who are 1st generation golf parents and golfers. The TDTD Golf Clubs works with the parents, as they and their child to navigate the junior golf journey from tournaments to college golf recruiting.
As the Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club celebrates Black History month and the numerous accomplishments of Black golf professionals, the Club intends to renew its commitment to growing golfers, scholars and leaders among the youth in the South Los Angeles community.
To learn more about Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club visit https://teedivas-dudesgolf.com/
