Black History Month is a noble title given to an official month of remembering and celebrating the multitude of societal contributions made by Black people throughout U.S. history.
Minority Golf Magazine is solely devoted to persons of color throughout the U.S. and around the world, and we support the efforts of those who celebrate black contributions during February and throughout the entire year.
Given this, we have never lacked stories and the accomplishments of Black golfers to write about. Many other fine publications also contain volumes of information about black golfers. Among them are Uneven Lies, by Pete McDaniel in cooperation with Craig Bowen; Uneven Fairways, by Dr. Calvin Sinnette; and Invisible Golfers-African Americans’ PGA Tour Quest*, by J. C. Callaway. For the most part, these priceless tomes are readily available, and we suggest that you avail yourself of one or all for your information, education and reading pleasure, as each is well worth your time and attention.
While older Black golfers know the history of our “founding fathers,” many young Black golfers and most of the greater golfing community do not. As a result, so many great, Black golfers have gone unheard of or otherwise unnoticed in the annals of history and are yet to take their rightful place as being/having been golfing greats. For the record, there were three men who uniquely affected my decades as a golfer and a writer, and who are rarely spoken of today. One of the three I personally admired was Jimmy Woods.
Long before America and the world had Tiger, there was Jimmy Woods, a master golfer who set scoring records throughout the Upper Midwest region of the U.S. As a young man fresh out of Korea in the late 50’s and early ’60s, I and many others filled the greensides and fairways hoping to catch a glimpse of Woods’ golfing magic. He was the Black Golfer of the times, and there was no match for his skills. Woods played the “money game” but he was also generous in sharing tips with “us youngsters” on how we could improve and manage our games. Sharon Woods, located in the suburb of Sharonville just north of Cincinnati, Ohio, was the site of Woods’ record-setting 63—which topped their record book for decades. Even more remarkable is that Woods scored that subpar round playing left-handed! The only reason Woods was never a PGA member was because of his race—and everyone knew that.
Jimmy Lee (aka Jim) Thorpe is a PGA veteran who over the years has won many professional events (21), to include the PGA Greater Milwaukee Open (1986); the Seiko-Tucson Match Play Championships (1985 and 1986); the Transamerica (2000); the Kroger Senior Classic (2001); the Countrywide Tradition (2002); the Blue Angels Classic (2005); and the Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf championship (2014). Thorpe tied for 18 in the 1985 Masters Tournament, and he placed high in on the leaderboards of a multitude of other professional tournaments to include the U.S. Open (T4 in 1984 and T9 in 1987); the Players Championship (T10 in 1984 and T4 in 1986); and the PGA Championship in 1986 (T7). In 1996, shortly after the founding of Minority Golf Magazine, I attended the MCI Heritage Classic in Harbor Town, SC. (Minority Golf Magazine had been granted press credentials only because Thorpe was entered in the event.) I introduced myself to Thorpe while he was on the driving range, and then expected the consummate brushoff that pros often give to rookie reporters. Instead, Thorpe was extraordinarily accommodating. We talked at length and later that day he invited me to join him and some friends for dinner. A few years later, Thorpe was just as gracious to my wife, Patricia (MGM’s Senior Editor), at a Senior PGA event in Florida, granting her an interview and then introducing her to Pete Brown, Calvin Peete, Lee Elder, Chichi Rodriguez—all great players of color.
George Washington Carver (“Chuck”) Thorpe, Jim’s brother, was also a noted PGA professional and pioneer, playing most of his PGA events during the 1970’s. Prior to their PGA involvement the brothers were well-known for their golfing prowess on black tours and at events cross the U.S. that were held by the famed United Golfers Association (UGA).
Most people remember Jim in a familiar swing pose or golf setting; however, this photo reflects the inner man—a true gentleman and a real professional.
Frank Duboise never played professional golf. He didn’t have to. During the seventies, eighties and nineties, “Frank Duboise & the Chicken Scratchers” were household names on the east coast club circuit and on the R&B music charts. Based in Miami, Fla., Duboise had a love of golf and sought to promote his passion by promoting minority interests and players from around the country. He was a very early supporter of Minority Golf Magazine, and we covered his charity golf tournament held annually in Pembroke Pines, Fla., which included the Disney complex of courses. Some Florida residents may remember the fun days of the Frank “DuBoys’” Classics of the nineties. May God in Heaven be pleased with the rhythmic beat of his drums.
Throughout history and even more so today, there are untold stories of Black American contributions to the betterment of all of us. Whether directly or indirectly, all American golfers have benefitted and are now enjoying the inventions, services and/or sacrifices of those on whose shoulders we all stand.
*Currently out of print