Ceremony to Honor Bill Wright's Historic USGA Victory Oct 2, 2009
Bill counts World Golf Hall of Famer Charlie Sifford as a source of inspiration during his youth. Sifford was often a guest at the Wright household during visits to Seattle and amazed Bill with his practice routine. (Wwuvikings.com)
Comcast and GOLF CHANNEL Roll Out Series to Introduce America's Youth to Golf's African-American Pioneers Jul 24, 2009
Uneven Fairways, produced by GOLF CHANNEL and Moxie Pictures, features interviews with many legendary golfers, including John Shippen, Charlie Sifford, Bill Spiller, Ted Rhodes, Joe Louis, and the four time winner of the Masters, Tiger Woods. When speaking of his predecessors, Woods notes that, They were true pioneers. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
A different time Jul 2, 2009
He also got some lessons from a black golf pioneer, Charlie Sifford. "The only tournaments a black player could play in then were in St. Paul, Portland, Vancouver and Seattle," Wright said. (Wwuvikings.com)
Glover lends his glow Jun 25, 2009
Charlotte native Charlie Sifford, the Jackie Robinson of major league golf, won there in the 1967 Hartford Open -- eight years before Tiger Woods was born and Lee Elder played in the Masters. At age 45, Sifford shot a 64 during the final round to punctuate the historic day. (News & Observer -- Sports)
National golf tourney comes to Loomis Trail Golf Club May 19, 2009
" Charlie Sifford, the first black pro on the PGA tour, was a family friend and coach. At Western Wright developed a great bond with former coach and Dean of Men C.W. "Bill" McDonald. "Dean Mac," as he was called, supported Wright's journey to the national tournament, where he won. He was also scouted by the LA Lakers as a point guard. He joined the PGA tour after graduating and in his first year was invited by Chick Evans, the 1916 U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open champion, to join him and Deane... (Wwuvikings.com)
Wright's legend still grows May 19, 2009
but raised in Seattle, he learned to play golf by playing round after round with his father, Bob, and studying professionals like Sam Snead, Ed "Porky" Oliver and Charlie Sifford. "When Sam Snead came to the Northwest for tournaments my mom would take me down to Portland to watch," Wright said. (Wwuvikings.com)
The legend of Bill Wright still grows after 50 years May 17, 2009
His family befriended Charlie Sifford, who went on to desegregate the PGA Tour. And whenever Snead, Bill's favorite pro golfer, played in the Northwest, he followed him around and studied his swing. (Wwuvikings.com)
The Wright stuff May 13, 2009
Charlie Sifford, the first African-American inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, was often a guest in the Wright household during trips to Seattle. Both Wrights would watch Sifford during his practice routine. (Wwuvikings.com)
Search is on Apr 12, 2009
His father, the late heavyweight champion Joe Louis, was the first black to play in a PGA-sanctioned event at the 1952 San Diego Open, and he later gave financial and moral support when Charlie Sifford broke the color barrier in 1961 and joined the PGA Tour. Barrow said The First Tee is about to launch a new program geared toward identifying the most skilled players and putting them with golf instructors at an academy in Richmond, Va. (Prep Sports Sports -- Rivals.com)
Schwarz » Apr 5, 2009
"What he's saying is, 'Yes I am black and I'm proud to be the honorary grandson of Charlie Sifford, the Jackie Robinson of golf, but I'm not just black. I'm also white, and I'm also Asian, I'm also Native-American. All of these different things are a part of my ancestry.'". But Payton says Woods is in denial. (ESPN -- Golf)
First Tee claims some success, but still no Tiger Apr 3, 2009
"Of course, you want that. Anybody involved in the game should at least be disappointed in the landscape, the number of African-Americans competing at the very highest level.''Barrow understands better than most how golf for years catered mainly to whites.His father, the late heavyweight champion Joe Louis, was the first black to play in a PGA-sanctioned event at the 1952 San Diego Open, and he later gave financial and moral support when Charlie Sifford broke the color barrier in 1961 and joined... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Tiger still the 1 as in, the only black pro golfer Apr 2, 2009
Andy Lyons / Getty Images fileCharlie Sifford became a PGA Tour member in 1961 ... He mentioned the preponderance of golf carts, which has eliminated the kind of caddie programs that produced players from Lee Trevino to Charlie Sifford. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Woods may be No. 1 but golf is still dominated by whites Apr 2, 2009
He mentioned the preponderance of golf carts, which has eliminated the kind of caddie programmes that produced players from Lee Trevino to Charlie Sifford. And then the cost of getting involved in the game, and then the maintenance of a person trying to play day in and day out, Woods said. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Woods curious as everyone else about his return Feb 25, 2009
He said there was a "slight connection" to Charlie Sifford, the first black to join the PGA Tour, but more than anything, "We thought it sounded good." Axel, which has Swedish origins, is the name of his wife s brother. It will be remarkable if Woods can continue the pace he was on when he won the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines for his 14th career major, one he called "probably the best ever" because of his wounded knee. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Tigers cubs are his best medicine during lay-off Feb 22, 2009
Asked whether the significance of Charlie Sifford had any bearing in their name choice, Woods replied: There is a slight connection, yes. There is no doubt. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Golf Roundup: McCarron emerges from dark for lead (Today) Feb 21, 2009
Vincent Johnson, playing on the Charlie Sifford Exemption, bogeyed his final hole for a 74 to also finish three shots below the cut line. Johnson's round came undone on the fifth hole. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Tiger's expectations Feb 21, 2009
He said there was a slight connection to Charlie Sifford, the first black to join the PGA Tour, but more than anything, We thought it sounded good. Axel, which has Swedish origins, is the name of his wifes brother. (MSNBC -- Sports)
McCarron takes 2-shot lead over field Feb 21, 2009
playing on the Charlie Sifford Exemption, bogeyed his last hole for a 74 to also finish three shots below the cut line. "The reason why I missed the cut was I didn't hit the shots I should have," Ishikawa said. (ESPN -- Golf)
Harig: Tiger's in it to win it » Feb 21, 2009
Tiger Woods looking forward to return at Accenture Match Play - ESPN. com true Welcome, Register Now myESPN Sign In Login Temporarily Unavailable. (ESPN -- Golf)
Mickelson's 63 good for Northern Trust lead Feb 20, 2009
The other PGA Tour debut belonged to , playing on the Charlie Sifford Exemption that is awarded to a player who represents the advancement of diversity in golf. He birdied his first hole with a wedge to tap-in range on the tricky 10th hole and calmed his nerves while shooting 70. (ESPN -- Golf)
Fallout Boys: More on Sampson aftermath Feb 19, 2009
ESPN - ESPN Insider: A year after the Kelvin Sampson situation, what of Armon Bassett and Brandon McGee. Try the NEW ESPN Search. (ESPN -- College Basketball)
Reparable Damage: Legacy of Kelvin Sampson Feb 19, 2009
At 86, Charlie Sifford continues to open doors for African-Americans in golf. Sir Allen Stanford's financial troubles should have been seen coming a mile away. (ESPN -- College Basketball)
Mickelson looking to shake his West Coast doldrums Feb 19, 2009
The other special guest at Riviera is Vincent Johnson, an Oregon State graduate who received the first Charlie Sifford Exemption for players who represents the advancement of diversity in golf. That will make it two tournaments in the last three weeks with a player of African-American heritage, and Woods hasn't even played this year as he recovers from knee surgery. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
USGA Insider: This Teacher's Always Been a Class Act Feb 19, 2009
While his determination came from his father, his inspiration came from World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Sifford, who was a guest at the Wright household on visits to Seattle and amazed Bill with his practice routine. "He stayed at the house," Wright said of the pioneering pro golfer. (Wwuvikings.com)
Sifford inspires as more blacks sought in pro golf ranks Feb 18, 2009
Tiger Woods calls Charlie Sifford, above, "The Jackie Robinson of our sport." Sifford was the first African-American to earn a card on the PGA Tour. By Jerry Potter, USA TODAY Forty years ago, Charlie Sifford, the first African American to earn a PGA Tour card, won the Los Angeles Open at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles. (USA Today -- Sports)
This Week In Golf - February 19th Through February 22nd Feb 17, 2009
He received a spot thanks to the first-ever Charlie Sifford Exemption given to a player who represents the advancement of diversity in golf. Johnson is a graduate of Oregon State and turned professional last year. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Story » Feb 12, 2009
For thousands of African-Americans who have held Tiger in high regard and claimed him as one of "our" heroes, it's the moment when he acknowledges his place in the game from a "black perspective" and seems to almost officially step forward and say that if it weren't for the struggles and sacrifices of people such as Teddy Rhodes and Charlie Sifford, he never would have been able to even play. "If it wasn't for their focus and dedication [and] great love of the game of golf, as I have said, my... (ESPN -- Golf)
Full Of Promise Feb 12, 2009
But as opportunities arose, they talked about Charlie Sifford and and other trailblazers. Joseph played in the Bill Dickey Invitational, held by the National Minority Junior Golf Association, and met other young, promising black players. (ESPN -- Golf)
PGA Tour in high demand for international players Feb 11, 2009
"We try to get the best players in the world,'' he said.He used his unrestricted exemptions on Singh, Wilson and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (the fourth spot is now the Charlie Sifford Exemption and used for a minority, this year being Vincent Johnson). The two foreign exemptions from the commissioner's office went to Ishikawa, the 17-year-old phenom, and Soren Hansen.For those baffled that Rory McIlroy at No. 15 in the world did not get a spot, the 19-year-old from Northern Ireland only... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Documentary details how black golfers played despite 'Uneven Fairways' (Today) Feb 11, 2009
Other notables are Charlie Sifford, the first African-American member of the PGA; Bill Spiller, a top African-American golfer of the 1940s and '50s; Ted Rhodes, who won 150 tournaments on the UGA Tour; Renee Powell, a female golfer whose father opened one of the only African-American-owned golf courses in the United States; and Joe Louis, the heavyweight boxing champ who became the first black golfer to compete in a PGA-sanctioned event at the 1952 San Diego Open. Several will take part in a... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Tiger's a dad again, but when is he returning? Feb 10, 2009
Woods has great respect for Charlie Sifford, the first black to become a PGA Tour member; Sifford playfully refers to Woods as my grandson. Axel is a Swedish name that means father of peace, according to the Web site birthcare. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Oregon State grad granted Sifford Exemption Feb 7, 2009
Vincent Johnson began what figures to be a long, hard road to the PGA Tour with a pep talk from Charlie Sifford, the first black member of the PGA Tour who knows a thing or two about overcoming long odds ... The coincidence of the conversation was not lost on Johnson, an Oregon State graduate who will get his first start on the PGA Tour at the Northern Trust Open later this month as the first recipient of the Charlie Sifford Exemption. (ESPN -- Golf)
