Ted Rhodes

Theodore "Ted" Rhodes (November 9, 1913 July 4, 1969) was an African-American professional golfer.

Rhodes was born in Nashville, Tennessee and attended the city's public schools. He learned the game of golf in his teenage years while working as a caddie at Nashville's Belle Meade Country Club and Richland Country Club. In the late 1930s, Rhodes joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). He served in the United States Navy in World War II. When his tour of duty concluded, Rhodes was discharged in Chicago, where he met entertainer Billy Eckstine and heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis. He taught both men to play the game of golf, and served as Louis' personal instructor, valet and playing partner.

In the late 1940s, Rhodes moved to southern California where he was mentored by Ray Mangrum. In 1948, he played in the U.S. Open at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, California and became recognized as the first African-American professional golfer. Rhodes and fellow African-American golfer Bill Spiller initiated litigation against the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) seeking removal of the association's "Caucasian only clause". Although they prevailed in the out-of-court settlement, the PGA circumvented the agreement by changing its tournaments to "invitationals" and invited only whites to participate.

Podcasts:

PLAYLIST TIME:

Innocence

by: Dead Hearts

Tomorrow never comes
Forever falling down
There was a promise in our eyes
And it burnt brighter than the morning light
But there were some words we let die
And quickly buried them out of sight
Forever never always
Sees the sun
Forever never always comes
We loved, we lost, we loved but
Forever never always
Sees the sun
Forever never always comes
I remember those moonless nights, when forever was in our
eyes
But our promise never saw the sun and I won't sleep 'till
the morning
Forever never saw the sun
We loved, we lost
Forever never saw the sun




Latest News for: ted rhodes

This Meriden restaurant serves the best cheeseburger in CT, list says. How to go

The Bulletin 07 Feb 2025
Here's LoveFood's pick for best cheeseburger in Connecticut.Ted’s RestaurantBest Cheeseburger in Rhode Island. LoveFood named the "Steamed Cheeseburger" at Ted’s Restaurant in Meriden, Connecticut, as the best cheeseburger in the state.

About South County: We owe a debt of gratitude to those who preserve our history

The Kingstown Independent 01 Feb 2025
Kissouth, Barbara Hackey, Ted Wright, Miller, Betty Cotter, University of Rhode Island Professor William Metz, former URI President Carl Woodward, Sallie Latimer, Erica Luke, Rudi Hempe, Robert O’Neill, Donna Rodgers, and many more ... ....
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