CALVIN PEETE
Peete was born in Detroit, Michigan. He played on the 1983 and 1985 U.S. Ryder Cup teams. He won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average in 1984. He was in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for several weeks when they debuted in 1986.
Peete did not begin playing golf until he was in his 20s, but immediately excelled at a game most pros learn as young children. He learned the game while peddling goods to migrant workers in Rochester, New York, playing on the public course at Genesee Valley Park. Growing up poor, Peete suffered a badly broken arm that was never properly set. He was the leader in driving accuracy on the PGA Tour for 10 straight years, 1981–90. Peete was inducted into the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Peete died after a long battle with lung cancer, in Atlanta, Georgia on April 29, 2015. He was 71.
CHARLIE OWENS
Charlie Owens was a pioneer for many reasons, one obvious reason was the color of his skin, which precluded him from playing Professional Golf during the 50's and 60's. But there were other reasons why we grant Charlie pioneer status.
Charlie sustained a leg injury while parachuting out of a plane when he was in the Army. Thus he wound up with one leg longer than the other. As a result of his injury the PGA tour allowed him to use a cart. Charlie (Not Casey Martin) was also the first to challenge the USGA on it's policy of walking only.
During his career Charlie developed a severe case of the "Yips"and as result could not putt. Instead of giving up the game, Charlie put his imagination to work and invented both the Belly Putter and the Long Putter.
Charlie sustained a leg injury while parachuting out of a plane when he was in the Army. Thus he wound up with one leg longer than the other. As a result of his injury the PGA tour allowed him to use a cart. Charlie (Not Casey Martin) was also the first to challenge the USGA on it's policy of walking only.
During his career Charlie developed a severe case of the "Yips"and as result could not putt. Instead of giving up the game, Charlie put his imagination to work and invented both the Belly Putter and the Long Putter.
JAMES BLACK
James Black, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, an exceptional skill Professional Black Golfer, during a turbulent time in American History (1960’s). Mr. Black, considered a child prodigy and self-taught caddy, he made history in 1964 at the age of 21 years by being the first black golfer to shoot 67 in the first round on the first day of his first Professional Golf Tournament.
The Los Angeles open; this unheralded skill rocked the L.A. Open and this score was not matched until more than decades later by Tiger Woods at the Greater Milwaukee Open in 1997. JIM DENT, SR
Jim Dent was born May 9, 1939 in Augusta Georgia, as a young man, Jim caddied at both Augusta National golf club and Augusta Country Club. He became a Golf professional in 1996, and joined the PGA Tour in 1990. His best year was 1974, when he won over 448,000. Since joining the Senior PGA Tour in 1989, Mr. Dent has won over $5,000,000.00 and taken eleven titles, including two in his first season. In 1990 mr. Dent won four events and finished sixth on the
money list. In 1994 He won over $950,000. Known for being an extremely long driver of the golf ball. Mr. Dent is also known as a dire hard fisherman.Mr.Dent was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in 1994. |