joe louis and the pga

Celebrating Black Golfers – Joe Louis

Joe Louis, courtesy the Detroit Historical Society.

Heavyweight boxer Joe Louis was fond of golf. He teed it up with several celebrities and sports icons of the day, including Babe Ruth. Joe also enjoyed his rounds with black golfers who were then banned from the PGA Tour. Black golfers formed their own tour, the United Golf Association and their stars had every bit the talent and skills of their white counterparts. Mr. Louis, however, had a thing or two to say about racist attitudes and was not shy about doing so. This story, posted on the Morning Read website by writer George Willis, a long-time New York sports columnist, tells about the time that Joe went toe-to-toe with the PGA. Click here to see the story on the Morning Read.