Joe Louis is remembered as, arguably, the greatest boxer in history, but what goes relatively unknown is the impact that he had on the game of golf. A longtime fan of the game (and a known gambler who was reported to have once lost $20,000 in a single round) Louis was a golf addict in a time when racial tensions were at an all-time high and African American golfers were relegated to playing dirt tracks and dollar munis. In 1952, Louis was invited, along with several other African American golfers to play in the San Diego Open, a watershed moment for the PGA, but also a controversial one.
When the PGA found out what the San Diego Open was attempting to do in spite of the rule in the PGA rule book stating that only Caucasian golfers were allowed entry into PGA events, they initially protested, but because of Joe Louis’ incredible fame and sporting accomplishments, eventually, the color barrier was broken, and the bylaw was removed. This paved the way for great black golfers like Calvin Peete and Jim Brown (no, not that one) to make their name on the Tour, and without Louis’ efforts, Tiger Woods wouldn’t have sniffed the game.
While diversity on the PGA Tour is limited, especially amongst African Americans, what Joe Louis and his ostracized golfing peers did in that 1952 event was remarkable. Always an exclusive sport reserved for the financial and social elite, golf was slowly becoming an every-man’s game, largely in part thanks to Joe Louis. And while people remember him for either his incredible boxing career or his tax evasion or his connections to mob boss Frank Lucas, his efforts in breaking the color barrier in golf go largely unnoticed, even though he was instrumental in setting up The First Tee, a charitable group that helps out less fortunate children through the game of golf and is an incredibly successful non-profit organization.
So…thank you Joe Louis. I know this isn’t the most well-spoken token of appreciation, but the golfing world thanks you. While it may appear to be a bad award to have, I’m giving you February’s Jerk of the Month award.
Good stuff.
really nice work.
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why do blacks get the shortest month? aint no bar-b-q’s in febuary. this post is racist.
Spencer, are you afraid Rick Reilly is going to steal this topic and flesh your 500 words out to 800 and get paid a ton of money for it?
/I am
Ummm, this is a little sincere for us, isn’t it?
Spencer Joe Lewis rocks. On a serious not I thought I was Jerk of the Month according to Fetch. But I havent seen the guy since I yelled at him for bad mouthing Derrick Rose.
Tampa off topic but this cracked me up.
Yea he freaked out after that. Fuck that guy.
Joe Louis, did lose $20K in one round of golf and a lot more to a little known pro named Smiley Quick. (That is his real name.) Louis was even told Quick that he forced him out of retirement in order to make the he lost.
Go Red Wings. Thanks Joe.
ITS AMAZING HOW HE DID ITFOR SO LONG
Joe Louis owned a golf course in the Chicago area which is now called Old Oak Country Club, (Homer Glen, Il). I believe it was called “Kinsman” at the time? I am interested in learning more about the history of his golf course ownership. Can you point me in the right direction?