Ted Rhodes facts for kids
Theodore "Ted" Rhodes (born November 9, 1913 – died July 4, 1969) was an American professional golfer. He played a very important role in helping to end the color barrier in the sport. This barrier stopped Black golfers from playing in many tournaments.
Rhodes was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He went to public schools there. He learned to play golf as a teenager. He worked as a caddie at local golf clubs. A caddie carries golf clubs for players.
In the late 1930s, Rhodes joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This was a program that helped young men find work. He also served in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, he was discharged in Chicago. There, he met famous singer Billy Eckstine and boxing champion Joe Louis. Ted taught both of them how to play golf. He even became Joe Louis's personal golf teacher and playing partner.
Breaking Barriers in Golf
In the late 1940s, Ted Rhodes moved to southern California. He learned a lot from another golfer named Ray Mangrum. In 1948, Ted played in the U.S. Open golf tournament. This was a big deal because he became known as the first African-American professional golfer to play in such a major event.
Ted Rhodes and another Black golfer, Bill Spiller, took legal action against the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA). They wanted to remove the PGA's "Caucasian only clause." This rule meant only white golfers could be members. They won their case outside of court. However, the PGA found a way around the agreement. They changed their tournaments to "invitationals" and only invited white players.
Because of these unfair rules, Rhodes mostly played in tournaments organized by the United Golf Association. This association supported Black golfers. He won about 150 tournaments during his career.
His Lasting Impact
Ted Rhodes moved back to Nashville in the 1960s. He became a mentor to several young Black PGA players. These included famous golfers like Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford. He helped them learn and grow in the sport.
Ted Rhodes passed away at 55 years old. Just one month after his death, a golf course in Nashville was renamed in his honor. It is now called the Ted Rhodes Golf Course. In 1998, he was added to the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame.
In 2009, the PGA of America gave Ted Rhodes membership after his death. They also did this for Bill Spiller and John Shippen. Even boxer Joe Louis received honorary membership. When Tiger Woods won his first Masters tournament, he mentioned Ted Rhodes. He said Ted was one of the pioneers who made it possible for him to play golf. In 2010, Ted Rhodes was also inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
The Ted Rhodes Foundation
The Ted Rhodes Foundation was started in 1993. Its goal is to keep Ted's memory alive. It also teaches people about his important contributions to golf. The foundation hosts golf tournaments for young people and adults. It also offers golf clinics to help people learn the game.
Ted's granddaughter, Tiffany White, runs the foundation. It supports golf teams at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). For example, it helps Fisk University's golf team in Nashville. The foundation also gives scholarships to HBCU golf team members. Finally, it supports junior golf programs in cities, like First Tee of Tennessee.
