John Shippen Jr.: African-American pioneer; first American-born golf professional

www.pga.com ^ | 2/2/15 | Bob Denney

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As American golf popularity skyrocketed at the start of the 20th century, Scottish immigrant professionals like Willie Dunn found their career footing. Dunn was a combination superb player, golf instructor and owner of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, built near the Shinnecock Indian reservation in Southampton, New York.

One of Dunn’s best young students was John Matthew Shippen Jr., one of nine children of Eliza and John Shippen Sr., an African-American Presbyterian minister who had moved his family to the reservation in 1888 from Washington, D.C.

At age 15, young Shippen was introduced to golf. A year later, he was employed as a caddie at Shinnecock Hills, where he also elevated his career and in so doing became recognized as the first American-born golf professional. At Shinnecock Hills, he was a teacher, club repairman and served on the maintenance crew. In 1896, a 17-year-old Shippen, encouraged by his club, entered the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Joining him was his friend, Oscar Bunn, a Native American who was not employed as a professional.

Many Scottish and English golfers signed a petition, threatening to withdraw from the Open if Shippen and Bunn remained in the field. (READ on)

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Shippen died in 1968, in a Newark, New Jersey, nursing home at age 89. In 2009, the PGA of America bestowed posthumous membership upon Shippen, along with fellow African-American pioneers Ted Rhodes and Bill Spiller. The PGA also granted posthumous honorary membership to Joe Louis Barrow Sr. – better known as Joe Louis – the legendary world heavyweight boxing champion who became an advocate for diversity in golf.

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Full title: John Shippen Jr.: African-American pioneer; first American-born golf professional

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This is quite a story.

A segment was done yesterday on the U.S. Open coverage on this good man.

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ping

[Cowboy Bob]

What about that guy who had diamonds in his teeth. He was playing back in the 70s, think.

[Wuli]

Great story. I facebooked it. It’s a good read as we watch this year’s U.S. Open.

[cherry]

he looked half white half black, or maybe he had indian blood in him....

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"Great story. I facebooked it. It’s a good read as we watch this year’s U.S. Open."

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Thank you ...... more people need to see the story.

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What about that guy who had diamonds in his teeth. He was playing back in the 70s, I think.

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http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/12-time-tour-winner-calvin-peete-passes-away-71-1

12-Time Tour Winner Calvin Peete Passes Away at 71

The PGA Tour will never again see the likes of Calvin Peete, who died Wednesday at 71.

A self-taught golfer, Peete figured out the game under the floodlights at empty ballfields and at driving ranges and became the winningest black pro of the pre-Tiger era. He joined the Tour knowing almost nothing about tournament golf – that is unimaginable today – and leaned on veteran caddies far more experienced than he. Peete also relied, famously, on his ability to split fairways. He led the Tour in driving accuracy for 10 consecutive seasons and parlayed his skills into 12 PGA Tour victories and two Ryder Cup team appearances.

Before becoming a professional golfer, Peete made a living however he could, including selling goods to Florida farm workers from the back of his car.

He had his front teeth fitted with diamond studs, to make himself more memorable to his customers.

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Also.............

"Charlie Sifford was a professional golfer who was the first African American to play ON THE PGA TOUR.

He won the Greater Hartford Open in 1967 and the Los Angeles Open in 1969.

[Cowboy Bob]

The golfer I was thinking of was Calvin Peete.

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Another great fellow.

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https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/06/phil-mickelson-us-open-meltdown-putting-green

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Check this out!

Phil Mickleson pulls a John Daley at Shinnecock Hills. (After hitting his putt which missed the hole, he hustles over and hits his rolling golf ball on the green at 13.)

Very funny, really.

[Wuli]

I have it on the DVR but was out on errands when it happended. Came home to soon finding the talking heads talking about it; including that it is possible to interpret the rules such that Michelson would be out tomorrow, no matter what his final score is today.

I suspected Michelson would have a hard time on this course. It is totally unforgiving when you miss the fairway. Then you really have to work out of the rough, and I suspect the frustration starts early. Michelson has been good at getting him out of having missed the fairway, but the terrain at Shinnecock and the location and elevations of the greens (a few are on a green that not too far from the hole, one way or another, is at a near 45 degree angle. If you don’t get the ball to land and just sit, it’s rolling away from the hole.

Michelson I enjoy, when he makes great chip shots, out of bad areas or the bunkers, and ends with birdie. But he does miss the fairways more often than many and sometimes that miss of his is really wild. If you got trees, they may kick the ball back out to the fairway. Hah - there are no trees in the way at Shinnecock, as an obstacle or to protect your wild shot from going to far wrong.

[Wuli]

Thanks. I like the histories of unlikely succeses.