Welcome to this episode of The Wild Golf Podcast. I am your host Michael McDonald. In celebration of Black History Month in North America, my guest on this episode is Charles Sifford Jr., the eldest son of the legendary Charlie Sifford, the first black PGA tour player who paved the way for many including Tiger Woods, who described Charlie as the Grandpa he never had. All Charlie ever wanted to do was to play the game he loved against the best players in the world but he had to courageously fight every step of the way, with the loving support of his wife Rose, in the face of appalling racism from the PGA, Augusta National, and countless sponsors. This is the story of a teenager who left the South just to be able to play the game he loved and who eventually received the recognition he deserved, culminating in his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States, in a ceremony with President Obama in the White House a year before he passed away. As Charlie said in his biography, “Just Let Me Play”, and when he was allowed to play, he proved to the world that he was one of the best at golf, and like his son Charles, he was and will always be remembered as a good man; one of the best.
You can find out more about Charlie Sifford by reading his biography, “Just Let Me Play”; the centenary celebration edition is available on Amazon.
If you like this episode, please tell your friends and leave a review on your favourite podcasting service. Please also follow us on Instagram (@wild_golf_podcast), Twitter (@wildgolfpodcast) and Facebook (Wild Golf Podcast).