Category: Feature Articles

Much has occurred in the golf industry over the past few years, we are witnessing a change of the guard by the presence of young guns represented by the play of Jordan Spieth, Rory McElroy, Jason Day and list goes on forever. Many of them have resulted in major impacts on the industry and individual lives. The editors of Minority Golf Magazine will publish a series of articles in the coming weeks reflecting on the above-mentioned stories and importantly, there will be a reflection on the golfing greats who have passed on recently. Their legacies remain and their impact on… Read More »

Charlie Sifford shown here in a work-in-progress painting of minority golf legends by Herschel Caldwell.   At the time I was growing up in the early 60’s in Cincinnati, Ohio, Black golfers were relegated to playing at the few public courses available to them: Sharon Woods, the Lunken Airport driving range, Winton Woods–and the regional “hub” of Black golf, Avon Field. While Avon was not very long or challenging (compared to many of the newer public courses), it served as a magnet for some of the best Black players in the country, including Jim and Chuck Thorpe, Curtis Sifford, Ted… Read More »

This is old news but worth noting again as  golf moves into a new year attempting to gain participants from all corners of American society. This page will feature other ways of attracting new and keeping the old in the coming months. (ed.)         By Michael Bamberger, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated Augusta National Billy Payne announced that the club will welcome two new female members. Billy Payne improved August National today. By accepting Condi Rice and Darla Moore, he made a move in keeping with the club’s traditions. He admitted two people who love golf and who are prominent… Read More »

Tiger Woods’ Bluejack National is his first domestic course design By Herschel Caldwell MONTGOMERY, Texas — As many American golf luminaries were still stewing over the latest U.S. Ryder Cup failure, Tiger Woods was inspecting a muddy expanse about 40 minutes northwest of Houston, assessing progress on his first domestic course design, Bluejack National. With pen, paper and tablet in hand on the hush-hush visit, Woods spent a day shaping the hilly layout, which will be part of a private family club development when it opens in the fall of 2015.

 By  Pete Madden, Senior Producer, Golf.com   Illustration by Herschel Caldwel Charlie Sifford, who became the first black player to earn his PGA Tour card in 1961, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced Monday.

By Herschel Caldwell December 1994: Surgery on left knee to remove two benign tumors and scar tissue.  Dec. 13, 2002: Surgery on left knee to remove fluid inside and outside the ACL and remove benign cysts from his left knee. Misses the season opener in 2003.    August 2007: Ruptures the ACL in his left knee while running on a golf course after the British Open, but is able to keep playing. Wins five of the last six tournaments he plays, including the PGA Championship for his 13th major.   

By Doug Ferguson, Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Joe LaCava walked nearly every blade of grass on the 18th green at Valhalla Golf Club, jotting notes in his yardage book after stepping off the distances from every edge of the green to every possible pin position. It was just like any other Monday at a major. The caddie just didn’t know whether any of this information would be useful in the PGA Championship. LaCava was awaiting word on whether his boss — Tiger Woods — would be healthy enough to play the final major of the year. “I’m optimistic,” LaCava… Read More »

by Herschel Caldwell Lizette Salas is proving she deserves to be on the big stage; The 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup Team. A captain’s pick, Salas played well enough to win her match on Friday partnered with Stacy Lewis. But they ran into a buzz saw European team of Anna Nordqvist and 17 year old phenom, Caroline Hedwall losing 4&2. Salas has been a student of LPGA hall of famer and legend Nancy Lopez for nearly two years. “Sales is a brilliant golfers who has a very bright future on the LPGA, she is also grounded and has a great sense… Read More »