Charlie Sifford, who only wanted a chance to play and broke the color barrier in golf as the first PGA Tour member, died Tuesday night, the PGA of America said.
Sifford, who recently had suffered a stroke, was 92. Details of his death and funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
PGA of America President Derek Sprague called Sifford “an uncommon and faithful servant.”
Golfer Charlie Sifford is shown in action during opening round of the Thunderbird Golf Tournament at the Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y., June 13, 1963. (AP Photo)
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“I’m standing right behind him,” Sifford said. “I said, ‘The same damn way you shot 64.’ That’s how we met.”
Sifford also received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland for his career as a pioneer.
He often attended the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone, not far from his home in Ohio. During an interview with the AP in 2000, Sifford said he was proud of the role in played in making the PGA Tour accessible to blacks.
“If I hadn’t acted like a professional when they sent me out, if I did something crazy, there would never be any blacks playing,” he said. “I toughed it out. I’m proud of it. All those people were against me, and I’m looking down on them now.”
