Charlie Sifford artifacts shared with World Golf Hall of Fame

JONATHAN KOLBE | USGA

A collection of personal items owned by Charlie Sifford includes family photos, a photo of Sifford and Tiger Words, a pair of golf shoes, and Sifford’s cigars and Kangol cap.

Charlie Sifford’s golf legacy has a home in North Carolina.

The Charlotte-born golf pioneer’s family donated personal memorabilia to the USGA for display at its museum and library in Liberty Corner, N.J., as well as the World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst. Sifford, the first Black person to compete in a PGA-sanctioned tournament, is also the first Black person inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Sifford, who died in 2015 at age 92, led the way for professional golf’s desegregation the height of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. His win at the 1967 Greater Hartford Open Invitational was the first for a Black competitor on the PGA Tour. Sifford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014 by Barack Obama, the country’s first Black president.

“The Sifford family is extremely honored to entrust to the USGA Golf Museum memorabilia reflecting the life and legacy of Dr. Charles L. Sifford,” his son Charles Sifford Jr. said in a statement. “This collection of artifacts represents the grit and perseverance of an African American man’s struggles and successes during an era of racial tension and segregation. My father challenged racial barriers, changing American history and paving the way for future golfers such as Tiger Woods.

“We are equally proud that the USGA Golf Museum will use this collection to enable future generations to reflect on the key tenets of social equity and commemorate the significance of my father’s contributions to all mankind.”

The collection includes more than 200 artifacts related to Sifford’s professional career and personal life includes letters, photographs, clothing, medals, awards, golf clubs and personal items. The collection will be exhibited at the USGA Golf Museum and Library in New Jersey while select items will be on display in his locker at the new World Golf Hall of Fame, which will open on USGA’s Pinehurst campus in the spring.

“We are honored that Charles Sifford Jr. and his family have entrusted Dr. Charles Sifford’s legacy to the USGA,” Hilary Cronheim, senior director of the USGA Golf Museum and Library said in a statement. “Fundamental to our work is to preserve the story of each legend of the game in a multi-dimensional way, speaking to the breadth and depth of an individual’s life, character and impact. Sifford fought tirelessly to desegregate professional golf and paved the way for the future of equity in the sport.

“This acquisition and partnership with the Sifford family ensures that future generations will appreciate him as a pillar for the game’s history and the history of African American advancement in this country.”

Sifford was a dominant golfer on the all-Black United Golf Association before challenging PGA rules that barred Black competitors. In addition to his win at Hartford, Sifford won the 1969 Los Angeles Open and from 1952-75, earned 12 non-PGA Tour titles, including the 1957 Long Beach Open and 1963 Puerto Rico Open.

Sifford competed in 12 U.S. Opens from 1959-78, missing the cut only three times and earned a career-best finish of 21st in 1972 at Pebble Beach. He also played in seven U.S. Senior Opens as well, with a best showing of fourth in his 1980 debut at Winged Foot Golf Club in New York.

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