Dewey Brown facts for kids
Dewey Brown Sr. (born October 24, 1899 – died December 22, 1973) was a very important person in the world of golf. He was the first known African-American member of two big golf organizations: the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
Brown joined the PGA in 1928 and the GCSAA in 1957. Before that, he worked as a caddie in New Jersey, helping golfers carry their clubs. He was also famous for making golf clubs and teaching golf in the 1920s and 1930s. He even made a set of golf clubs for President Warren G. Harding!
In 1934, something unfair happened. The PGA ended Brown's membership. Many people believe this happened because they found out he was African American. His skin was light, so they might have thought he was white before. Around the same time, the PGA added a rule saying only white people could be members.
Later in 1947, Brown bought his own golf course called Cedar River Golf Club in Indian Lake, New York. His son took over the club when Brown retired in 1972.
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Early Life and Golf
Dewey Brown Sr. was born in North Carolina in 1899. When he was a young boy, his family moved to New Jersey. He started playing golf at just eight years old, working as a caddie at the Madison Golf Course. He also helped take care of the golf course grounds.
Dewey loved golf more and more. He learned how to make golf clubs from a pro named Tom Hucknell. He worked at several golf clubs, including Shawnee-on-the-Delaware, Baltusrol Golf Club, and Hollywood Golf Club. As he worked in golf, he also became a very skilled player himself.
Many important people, like President Warren G. Harding, bought golf clubs that Dewey made by hand. Because he was so good at teaching and playing golf, Dewey also played in many local tournaments as a professional.
Breaking Barriers in Golf
In 1928, Dewey Brown made history. He became the first known African American member of the Professional Golfer's Association (PGA). Because his skin was light, many people didn't realize he was Black at first. He had quietly broken a big barrier in the sport.
But in 1934, without any warning, his membership was suddenly taken away. People believe this happened because the PGA found out he was African American. It was a strange coincidence that in the same year, the PGA changed its rules to say that only "Caucasian-only" (meaning only white people) could be members.
It took a long time, but in 1965, Dewey Brown was finally allowed back into the PGA. He was 66 years old then, so he didn't play in many big tournaments anymore. His professional playing days were mostly over.
Life After the PGA
Even after being unfairly removed from the PGA, Dewey Brown never stopped loving golf. In 1947, he bought the Cedar River Golf Club in Indian Lake, New York. This club was in the beautiful Adirondacks mountains.
At his own club, he continued to teach golf, play, and make his famous golf clubs. He owned and ran the course until he passed away. He lived the rest of his life in the Adirondacks.
While he lived there, big changes happened in golf. The unfair "Caucasian clause" was finally removed from the PGA rules in 1961. Then, in 1965, Dewey Brown was officially welcomed back into the PGA.
His Family and Legacy
Dewey Brown Sr. passed away on December 22, 1973, at the age of 74. He left behind his wife, three sons, two brothers, a sister, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
His oldest son, Ronald M. Brown, was also a very special person. Ronald was a African American pioneer too. He served the United States in World War II as a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. These brave pilots were the first African-American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces.
Years after his death, Ronald Brown and the other Tuskegee Airmen were given Congressional Gold Medals for their amazing service in the war. In 2011, Dewey Brown's grandson, Dr. Roland Brown, gave his father's Congressional Gold Medal to the Adirondack Museum. The Brown family has certainly left a big mark on both the Adirondacks and American history.
Dewey Brown's Impact
Dewey Brown was a true pioneer in golf. He is known as the first African American to join the PGA. But his impact goes beyond just playing golf.
He started from humble beginnings in North Carolina, working his way up from being a caddie to a professional golfer. People often described him as a sincere and kind man. His social impact can be compared to that of Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in baseball. Dewey Brown also helped break down racial barriers in sports.
A writer named Peter Martin once said that Dewey Brown was "a black man who was to golfing what Jackie Robinson was to major league baseball: a black pioneer in a white world, a superb athlete, a sportsman and a gentleman."
Dewey Brown was known for his smooth golf swing and his polite manner. Sportswriters even called him the "Knight of the Fairways." His journey – being accepted into the PGA, then removed, and finally welcomed back – showed the changes happening in America and the ongoing fight for equality.
Dewey Brown was a famous golf club maker, teacher, and professional golfer. But his greatest achievement was his social impact. He used his special skills and strong spirit to overcome many challenges. He helped open doors for other African American golfers to follow in his footsteps, showing great passion and perseverance for the sport of golf.
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