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June 21, 2023
First American-born Golf Professional
There were so many things to celebrate in the last few days. To all dads around the world, Happy Father's Day! The following day was Juneteenth. A Celebration of Freedom. It is important to learn from history and to recognize the wrongs of the past. We must continue to advance racial equity and justice.
The 123rd US Open Championship (golf) was at the Los Angeles Country Club last weekend. Previous weekend was the French Open (tennis). I have been busy watching games on TV and cheering for those athletes. Only one person "wins" in the tournaments, but I think every athlete is a winner. What we often don't see in those tournaments is how hard they work to get there. Today, I want to highlight this extraordinary man, Mr. John Shippen, Jr., who worked so hard to beat the odds to play golf at the Second US Open in 1896.
John Shippen was born in Washington, DC in 1879. He was of African American and Native American descnet. His family moved to Shinnecock Reservation at his early age, and he started working as a caddie at Shinnecock Hill Golf Club.
Willie Dunn, Jr., a Scottish golf professional, designed the final holes at Shinnecock Hill and taught young workers including John and his good friend Oscar Bunn (Shinnecock Indian) how to caddie and play golf. John played so well that some club members decided to pay his and Oscar's entry fees to the Second US Open tournament which was held at Shinnecock Hill in 1896.
When some players found out that African American and Native American were going to play at the tournament, they threatened to boycott the event. The USGA President, Theodore Havemeyer, said "Gentleman, you can leave or stay as you please. We are going to play this tournament tomorrow, with them - and with or without you." All entrants showed up the next morning for play.
John played well. He was tied for the lead until the 13th hole in the second round. He stroked 11 shots (+7) on the par-4 13th hole. He finished the tournament in fifth, but it was only 7 strokes difference between his score and the winning score by James Foulis of Scotland. Oscar finished in 21st.
He was awarded $10 in prize money (first prize was $150), which officially secured his place in history as first US born golf professional and the first African American golf professional.
Golfers enjoying an outing at Shady Rest Golf and Country Club in Scotch Plains, NJ, the first African-American owned and operated country club. There was no place for an African-American man or woman to play golf or play tennis.
He continued playing golf in several tournaments and worked as a golf processional at several clubs such as Maidstone Club in East Hampton, NY, Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia, PA, and Shady Rest Golf and Country Club in Scotch Plains, NJ. Shady Rest was the first African American golf club in the United States, which was established to provide recreation and entertainment for all ages. He worked at Shady Rest for more than 30 years. He passed away in 1968.
In 2009, the PGA of America posthumously bestowed John the PGA membership. He is now recognized by the USGA as America's first golf professional.
John looked back on his life and said,
"Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing when I quit school and went into golf. Maybe I should have kept going and gone to Yale like my brother. He is a teacher. I wonder until I look out the window and see that golf course. Then, I realize how much enjoyment I've gotten out of the game, and I don't wonder any more."
Written by Yu
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