Talkin’ Sports
With Pat
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Sorry that I missed the last two weeks or Talk’n Sport’s, but I
am back. I want to talk about a golfer named Charlie Sifford, who passed away
two weeks ago. He was the first African American golfer on the PGA Tour. That
was 1961. He had been trying for years to be allowed to compete but was always
turned downed, for most of the golf courses had a “Caucasian clause”, which
required its members to be white. He was past his prime, 38 when the PGA did
grant him membership and he went on to win two tournaments, and compete in the
U.S. OPEN AND THE PGA Championship. He was also the first African American to
be admitted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. There was a black tour organized
by the United Golf Association, the paychecks were small and the courses were
not kept up. While fighting for a spot on the PGA, he won the UGA championship
six times from 1952 to 1960 including five years in a row. He won he first
official PGA tournament in 67, and was always in the top 60 of money winners on
the tour. That was without a sponsor, coach or given equipment he paid for
everything and most of the time not only ate by himself but also had to deal
with unruly fans and their awful comments that they were allowed to make. He
was never invited to the Masters, even after he won the PGA seniors
championship in 1975. Still in 1986 after a tournament in Los Angeles, promised
a prize of $100,000, plus a new car to anyone who made a hole in one. Mr. Sifford scored the ace but was denied the
award and had to take promoters to court where he one again. They should have
known he was going to fight them and just paid up. This was an amazing story
and makes me think that if he would have been allowed to be on the tour during
his prime how many tournaments and majors he could have won?
well this past week the college basketball lost two great coaches in Dean Smith and Jerry Tarkanian. i did enjoy watching the running rebels when Tark was their coach they were fun and boy could they score points. Smith was known for running a clean program and 96% of his players graduated with degrees, now that is really something.
ReplyDeleteThe game last night between Duke and North Carolina was another good one looking like the Tar Heels were going to win but could not make the front end of 1 and 1 on the free throw line which aloud Duke to come back from being 9 points down to tie it and then win in OT. got to hit toughs free throws.
ReplyDeletetoday a total of 37 players traded in the NBA not including draft picks. that is a lot. now to see if these trades will actually help anyone.
ReplyDeletewell this weekend starts racing again with the Daytona 500 should be an interesting race and year. lets see what happens.
ReplyDeletewith six wins in a row the Kings are playing their way into the playoffs. still some hockey to go but it is good to see them play this good, the best all year, and if they can make the playoffs another run for the cup. i good time to be all coming together.
ReplyDeletestart of spring training is just around the corner.
ReplyDeletewell Oklahoma won their 4th straight game tonight and will be a tough match for their opponent in the playoffs. can't wait for the NBA playoffs to start and we are still a ways a way.
ReplyDeletestay save have a good week .
ReplyDeletestay save have a good week .
ReplyDelete