Iowa Civil Rights History

George Roddy - The First Known Black Golfer in Iowa - (Prof. Kevin Mason)

Erick Nganyange

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George Roddy the first known black golfer in the state of Iowa.

Born in 1908 in Keokuk, Iowa. Roddy famously walked from Keokuk to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa because his family couldn't afford bus fare.

He became the first Black golfer on the Iowa Hawkeyes team and was a team captain in 1930 and 1931.

He graduated in 1931 with an engineering degree. 

He became an educator and coach, Taught and coached golf at Arkansas State College (1931–1933) and North Carolina A&T (until 1948). 

Later he settled in Indianapolis, where he launched the golf program at Crispus Attucks High School. Continued competing, winning the Indianapolis city golf championship twice—once at age 57 in 1967.



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