Pioneering golfer Dr. Charles L. Sifford receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Photo: Patrick McDermott/PGA of America via Getty Images

Dr. Charles L. “Charlie” Sifford had the best seat in the East Room of the White House Monday afternoon when he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

Sifford was the first African-American PGA member to successfully compete professionally on the PGA TOUR. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, is the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Sifford became the first person of color to compete in PGA-sanctioned events following the demise of the “Caucasian-only” membership clause in 1961. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004 and was bestowed an honorary doctor of law degree by the University of St. Andrews in 2006.

This latest national recognition on behalf of Sifford, spearheaded by the PGA of America, was a collaboration among golf’s leading governing bodies, national diversity-focused organizations, government officials and sports figures. Among those involved in the effort were the PGA TOUR, United States Golf Association (USGA), World Golf Foundation, 64 Members of Congress and notable athletes that included Tiger Woods, Alonzo Mourning, Bill Russell and Jim Brown.

When asked how earning this medal compared to playing for a major, Sifford clutches the ribbon and the golden star on his chest and says, “No major compares to this. Today was exciting. Great people to be around you. I loved it.”

Sifford is the third golfer to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, following Arnold Palmer (2004) and Jack Nicklaus (2005).

“The PGA of America joins our friends throughout sports today in paying tribute to Dr. Charles Sifford upon receiving this prestigious honor,” says PGA of America Interim President Derek Sprague. “The hard-fought efforts and perseverance of Dr. Sifford continue to inspire our industry to evolve and elevate all efforts in diversity and inclusion.”

Born in Charlotte, N.C., on June 2, 1922, Sifford’s interest in golf began as a boy. As he made a living through caddying, he also had the opportunity to groom his golf skills. By age 13 he was shooting par golf. However, Sifford’s advancement was limited because of race discrimination in the Jim Crow era. Even though Sifford made significant strides in his career, he continued to be a target of harassment and death threats prior to and following the abolishment of the “Caucasian-only” clause.

Former U.S. Congressman Mel Watt, a distant relative of Sifford, called the honor “bigger than sport.”

For more than 50 years, the Presidential Medal of Freedom has been presented to more than 500 individuals who have made a significant impact to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.