Author Dan Taylor examines the career of Black golf pioneer Ted Rhodes
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 9:00 AM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026
Historian Dan Taylor explores the life and professional challenges of Ted Rhodes in his new book, Out of the Rough: Ted Rhodes and His Fight against Golf’s Color Barrier. Rhodes was a prominent Black golfer who competed in the 1948 US Open, finishing the first round three strokes behind the eventual winner Ben Hogan. Despite his performance, Rhodes faced systemic segregation that restricted his access to professional events and PGA membership for years. He participated in a 1948 lawsuit against the PGA, which resulted in the organization rebranding tournaments to maintain exclusionary practices. Throughout his career, Rhodes also served as a mentor to figures such as Lee Elder, Althea Gibson, and heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis. Tiger Woods recognized the contributions of Rhodes and other Black trailblazers during his 1997 Masters victory speech.
- •Ted Rhodes was the first Black golfer to compete in the US Open in its modern era.
- •A 1948 lawsuit against the PGA failed to end the organization's caucasian-only membership policy.
- •Rhodes instructed boxing legend Joe Louis and tennis star Althea Gibson in golf.
- •The PGA did not revise its membership requirements to include Black golfers until 1962.
- •Tiger Woods credited Rhodes as a major influence on Black participation in golf.
- 9:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — ‘The Jackie Robinson of golf’: the forgotten story of Black pioneer Ted Rhodes
- 9:00 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Jackie Robinson of golf’: the forgotten story of Black pioneer Ted Rhodes
"The man mentioned by Tiger Woods after his first Masters win paved the way for generations of Black golfers, reintegrating the US Open and challenging the PGA How good a golfer was Ted Rhodes? At the 1948 US Open, he finished the first round just three shots behind the leader – and eventual winner – Ben Hogan. But there’s more to the story: Rhodes was the first Black competitor in the tournament in its modern era, during a time of widespread segregation in American sport. Rhodes is the subject of a new book by sports historian Dan Taylor, Out of the Rough: Ted Rhodes and His Fight against Golf’s Color Barrier. The author aims to change what he sees as mainstream unfamiliarity with Rhodes, even among golf enthusiasts. Continue reading...
"The man mentioned by Tiger Woods after his first Masters win paved the way for generations of Black golfers, reintegrating the US Open and challenging the PGA
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportSep 10, 2026, 9:00 AM‘The Jackie Robinson of golf’: the forgotten story of Black pioneer Ted Rhodes
The man mentioned by Tiger Woods after his first Masters win paved the way for generations of Black golfers, reintegrating the US Open and challenging the PGA How good a golfer was Ted Rhodes? At the 1948 US Open, he finished the first round just three shots behind the leader – and eventual winner – Ben Hogan. But there’s more to the story: Rhodes was the first Black competitor in the tournament in its modern era, during a time of widespread segregation in American sport. Rhodes is the subject of a new book by sports historian Dan Taylor, Out of the Rough: Ted Rhodes and His Fight against Golf’s Color Barrier. The author aims to change what he sees as mainstream unfamiliarity with Rhodes, even among golf enthusiasts. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 9:00 AM‘Jackie Robinson of golf’: the forgotten story of Black pioneer Ted Rhodes
The man mentioned by Tiger Woods after his first Masters win paved the way for generations of Black golfers, reintegrating the US Open and challenging the PGA
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