![]() ![]() However, a lot of people including NNGA President Randy Keller believe the property needs some renovations. Highland Park, which is owned by the City of Cleveland, is easy to access. Well-manicured courses like country clubs aren't easy or cheap to get into. What was blatant discrimination back in the 60s, is now inaccessibility for many Black golfers. “I wanted to prove that a Black man could play golf,” said Sifford in a 2015 interview, not long before he died. Sifford, who lived in Northeast Ohio, was an honorary member of Cleveland’s NNGA. You didn't have the ability to get into that private country club,” said Chandler.Įven Charlie Sifford, who pressed the PGA to end its whites-only policy, eventually became the first black golfer to join the PGA and called Highland Park his home golf course. “I was always to come to Highland and be able to play, but if I wanted to go to some of the other golf courses around here, because they were private. The association created a lane of its own at Highland Park, its own leagues and tournaments, helping to send Black students to college on golf scholarships. James and that group of guys that he mentioned were part of the National Negro Golf Association founded in the mid-60s. “When we first started having tournaments, it was one of the few golf courses that we could bring a group of guys to,” said Chandler.Īt the time, Black golfers were banned on most links and altogether in the Professional Golfer’s Association. “My grandfather played here back in the day and then my father learned how to play,” said Barnett.įor James Chandler, it is history that he and other Black golfers helped create. CLEVELAND - The saying goes, "A lot of business is handled on the golf course," but in the case of Highland Park Golf Course in Cleveland, history was made instead. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |