John Shippen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Shippen
Shippen, c. 1899
Personal information
Full name	John Matthew Shippen
Born	(1879-12-02)December 2, 1879 Washington, D.C.
Died	May 20, 1968(1968-05-20) (aged 88) Newark, New Jersey
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight	158 lb
Nationality	United States
Career
Status	Professional
Best results in Major Championships
The Masters Tournament	DNP
U.S. Open	T5: 1896, 1902
The Open Championship	DNP

John Matthew Shippen Jr. (born December 2, 1879 – died May 20, 1968) was an American golfer. He played in many of the first U.S. Opens. John was born in Washington, D.C.. His father was a former slave and a Presbyterian minister. His mother was Eliza Spotswood Shippen. John Shippen is thought to be the first American-born golf professional.

Shippen had both African American and Native American heritage. When he was 16, he became an assistant professional at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. There, he started teaching golf lessons to club members. He also became a very good player himself. Shippen's best results were at the 1896 U.S. Open. This tournament was held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. He also did well at the 1902 U.S. Open in Garden City, New York. In both tournaments, he tied for fifth place.

Early Life and Learning Golf

When John was nine, his father became a minister on the Shinnecock Reservation. This reservation was very close to Shinnecock Hills. Shinnecock Hills was one of America's first golf clubs. John Jr. worked there as a caddie. A caddie carries golf clubs for players. He learned how to play golf from the club's Scottish professional, Willie Dunn Jr..

The 1896 U.S. Open: A Big Moment

The Shinnecock Hills course was chosen to host the second U.S. Open in 1896. Shippen played very well, finishing in fifth place. Before the tournament, some club members were impressed by John's golf skills. They decided to pay his entry fee for the tournament. They also paid for his friend, Oscar Bunn, who was a Shinnecock Indian.

When the professional golfers found out about Shippen and Bunn, a disagreement started. Some pros threatened to not play in the event. But the president of the USGA, Theodore Havemeyer, stood firm. He said the tournament would happen even if only Shippen and Dunn played. Because of this, the other pros agreed to play.

Shippen was paired with Charles B. Macdonald. Macdonald had won the first U.S. Amateur in 1895. John was tied for second place after the first round. He stayed in a good position until the 13th hole. There, his ball landed on a sandy road. He scored an eleven on that hole. If he had made a normal score, he might have played in a tie-breaking round for the championship. Still, he tied for fifth place. He won $10, which was a good amount for the fourth-placed non-amateur. James Foulis, who was born in Scotland, won the first prize of $150.

John Shippen's Golf Career

Shippen played in five more U.S. Opens after 1896. His best finish was tying for fifth place again in 1902. He made golf his career. He worked as a professional at several golf clubs. His last job was at Shady Rest Golf and Country Club in New Jersey. He worked there from 1932 until 1964. At that time, the club became part of the town of Scotch Plains. As a golf professional, Shippen also made and sold his own golf clubs. These clubs had a special stamp that said "J. M. Shippen."

No other African-American golfer played in the U.S. Open until Ted Rhodes took part in 1948.

Special Recognition from the PGA

In 2009, the PGA of America gave a special honor to Shippen, Rhodes, and Bill Spiller. They were given membership after they had passed away. These golfers were not allowed to become PGA members during their careers because of their race. The PGA also gave an honorary membership to the boxer Joe Louis.

Legacy and Passing

John Shippen Museum,
Shady Rest Golf and Country Club

John Shippen passed away on May 20, 1968. He was at a nursing home in Newark, New Jersey. He is buried at the Rosedale Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey.

When the U.S. Open was played at Shinnecock Hills in 1986, John Shippen was remembered. This happened during the ABC television broadcast. Many members of the former Shady Rest club learned about his achievements for the first time. Today, the John Shippen Museum is located in the clubhouse of the Shady Rest Golf and Country Club in Scotch Plains. Also, the John Shippen National Invitational Golf Tournament for Black Golfers was started in 2021 by Intersport.

Results in Major Golf Championships

Here are John Shippen's results in the U.S. Open:

Note: Shippen only played in the U.S. Open Championship.

• "T" means a tie for a place.
• "CUT" means he did not make the cut to play in the final rounds.
• Yellow background shows he finished in the top 10.