Taking Their Place in the Pantheon: Ted Rhodes, John Shippen, Bill Spiller and Joe Louis Barrow Sr

The PGA to Grant Posthumous Memberships to Black Golf Legends

In November Rhodes, Shippen, Spiller and the Brown Bomber will finally get PGA membership status. The PGA Board of Directors put its full weight and mandate behind an effort to grant these Black golf greats of yesteryear entry into the fold. A unanimous vote by the Board earlier this summer sealed the deal. At this year’s 93rd PGA Annual Meeting in New Orleans a family member of each of these statesmen for diversity on the links will participate in the posthumous celebration. The PGA’s motivation is unequivocal: "The PGA of America believes these men, but for the color of their skin, would have been PGA members who play the game, teach the game and promote the game," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "The PGA of America recognizes the importance of honoring these gentlemen with their rightful place in golf history.

The Green Magazine offers our most joyous congrats to the families of Rhodes, Shippen, Spiller, and Louis. And kudos to the PGA for taking such a courageous step.

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