Newtown Square, PA. Major League Baseball historically integrated for the first time when Jackie Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. That ground breaking event was one of many that would follow in which sports in the United States would finally end the imposed roadblock that non-whites faced when seeking to compete.
Unfortunately, the golf side in that equation remained stubborn.
The PGA Championship is under the domain of the PGA of America. And for many years written into the association’s bylaws was a clear Caucasian only clause prohibiting membership for all non-whites.
In 1962, the organization’s flagship event was scheduled for Brentwood CC in Los Angeles. The California Attorney General Stanley Mosk advised the PGA of America he would seek a court injunction preventing the event from being played given the stance of the association regarding non-whites competing in the event.
Interestingly, in the intervening 15 years since Robinson stepped onto a Major League Baseball field the climate of integration throughout the United States was rapidly evolving.
In 1954 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that “separate but equal” facilities in public education were unconstitutional. Nonetheless, the speed in achieving maximum progress ahead dragged onward. The final MLB team to integrate was the Boston Red Sox in 1959 — 12 years after Robinson.
In November, 1960 — a new administration came to office in Washington with the ascension of the nation’s youngest President — John F. Kennedy.
Even still — golf’s intransigence to change stubbornly remained in place.
Knowing Mosk would move ahead on his planned action to stop the PGA Championship from being played, the association’s leadership opted to move the event out of California and shift eastward to Aronimink CC — just outside of Philadelphia.
Even with such a move the leadership was fully aware the issue would remain a constant item for media and public attention.
In November of 1961, the PGA of America formally removed the clause. The momentum in expanding the rights of all citizens reached a crescendo when in 1964 then President Lyndon Baines Johnson secured passage of the historic Civil Rights Bill.
Not all doors opened immediately thereafter. The Masters did not have a Black in the field until 1975 when Lee Elder became the first. Twenty-two years later Tiger Woods would become the first to snare the green jacket with his record setting victory.
The winner at Aronomink in 1962 was Gary Player.
The South African would a few years later endure fan pushback because of his country’s stance on apartheid during the 1969 PGA Championship in Dayton, OH at the NCR Club.
How appropriate that Philadelphia — the city known for “brotherly love” — will enjoy a far different climate when the 108th PGA Championship commences Thursday.
Related: Augusta seeks to turn past pages
