USGA's Symposium on American Champions and Race Barrier Breakers

     When it comes to race, the USGA is trying to bridge racial barriers where the PGA Tour has not been able to do and one way is to celebrate diversity. The Tiger Woods Foundation and First Tee among different programs for juniors is trying to produce golf champions and there are golfers in the pipeline that may produce future male and female golf stars but this has largely not been accomplished. The USGA has recognized this and in anticipation of Black History Month superstars from other sports that have a golfing background are being hilighted for their contributions to the links.

   On February 18th, a special symposium will feature presentations by several presenters including Bill Wright, the first African American to win a USGA Championship and Renee Powell, a former member of the LPGA Tour. This is in conjunction of tcalled American Champions and Barrier Breakers that the museum will host the exhibitfrom February 17th through July 30th, 2012. Complete details are in the press release released below. Joe Louis and Althea Gibson are some athletes that will be featured at the museum.

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USGA Museum Honors "American Champions and Barrier Breakers" Some of the world's greatest athletic achievements have been accomplished in the face of untold adversity. Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis and Althea Gibson all excelled in their respective sports, not only performing competitively at an exceptionally high level, but shattering racial barriers in the process. In conjunction with the opening of its temporary exhibit "American Champions and Barrier Breakers," the USGA Museum will host a one-day symposium on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit will be on display from Feb. 17, 2012, to July 30, 2012, and celebrates the lives of Robinson, Louis and Gibson, their sports achievements and their important legacies. The exhibit will feature artifacts, documents and photographs of these three American icons while calling attention to the numerous contributions that African Americans have made to golf for more than a century. The one-day symposium on Feb. 18 will feature presentations by Bill Wright, the first African-American to win a USGA championship; Dr. Calvin Sinnette, author of Forbidden Fairways; Renee Powell, the second African-American woman to play on the LPGA Tour; Joe Louis Barrow Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee; and Dr. Yohuru Williams, chief historian and vice president for public education & research for the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The symposium is free and open to the public, though space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, contact the Museum receptionist at 908-234-2300 ext. 1057 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, or email museum@usga.org. In attendance at the Feb. 18 symposium will be Eric Velasquez, the award-winning artist of the book Twice as Good: The Story of William Powell and Clearview, the Only Golf Course Designed, Built, and Owned by an African American. Eric will be on-site with Renee Powell and both are willing to sign copies of the book purchased that day. All book sales will be donated to the Clearview Foundation. "American Champions and Barrier Breakers: Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis and Althea Gibson" has been developed through the African-American Golf Archive, which was created in 2010 by the United States Golf Association and The PGA of America and is housed in the USGA Museum. For more information about the USGA Museum, go to www.usgamuseum.com.