Howard Williams, AAGD photojournalist stands alongside the new signage for the Pete Brown Golf Facility located at 3200 W. Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39206
BY HOWARD WILLIAMS
June 2, 2019
The Sonny Guy Jackson, Mississippi, Municipal Golf Course Renaming Ceremony Honors Pete Brown
In 1964 Professional Golfer Pete Brown became the first African American to win a PGA-sanctioned tournament, the Waco Turner Open, held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pete’s golfing career began by playing in a tournament hosted by the United Golf Association (UGA), an organization formed by a group of African American golfers who operated a series of professional golf tournaments for Blacks during the era of racial segregation in America. At that time, Blacks could not play in PGA sanctioned tournaments due to the “Caucasian only” clause of the PGA. Many fans are unaware of the fact that in the 1950s, Pete contracted polio and was paralyzed for a year. He eventually, regained feeling back in his arms and legs and got his golfing confidence back. Then, in 1961 and 1962, Pete continued to prove his abilities with wins in The Negro Open in the UGA.
During last Tuesday’s city council meeting, leading up to the renaming celebration, Parks and Recreation Director Ison Harris Jr. learned more about golf legend Pete Brown, who was born in Port Gibson, Miss., but was raised in Jackson. Brown was born during an era when Blacks were not allowed to play at the municipal course, so he learned golf by watching others play. This fact was shared by Brown’s widow, Margaret Brown, in attendance at the City Council meeting. The City Council also presented Ms. Brown with a Proclamation. In spite of the many hindrances and difficulties, Pete went on to become a highly successful golf coach and acquired a country club membership in Jackson.
Once the PGA changed its racist policy, on September 11, 1961, Pete received his PGA card (1963) and also gained sponsorship from the prominent Spalding Sporting Goods (now owned by Callaway). Spaulding showcased their support of the champion golfer by having Pete’s name emblazoned on its Spalding golf clubs and golf balls. Pete spent 17-years winning many prestigious tournaments including the Andy Williams Open in 1970 and the Michigan Open in 1972. Overall Pete won two PGA victories and is a four-time UGA (Negro) National Open Champion.
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On the 31st of May, the City of Jackson (MS) held its second annual Mayor’s Cup. This year, the two-day golf tournament included an additional highlight: the renaming of the Sonny Guy Municipal Golf Course to its new name honoring golf great Pete Brown. Jackson (MS) Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba along with city council members, community representatives, and many of the Brown family and Pete’s longtime friends, gathered together for this special occasion to honor his legacy. Pete’s widow, Margaret Brown, was there too and she witnessed the unveiling of a beautiful, large, new sign that has been installed at the golf course designating its new name as, the Pete Brown Golf Facility.
Professional golfer Jim Dent, a very good friend of the Brown family, was unable to attend but sent a nice letter of support which was read aloud to the audience. Charlie Sifford, Jr., the son of legendary golfer Charlie Sifford, was also there and said a few words to honor the memory of Pete Brown. “I know that Pete was watching down on all of this and that he would be pleased,” said Ms. Brown, age 80, who is still in good health, getting around and staying active.
The history of the Sonny Guy golf course goes back decades to its 1947 opening when the municipal course served only for the pleasure of white players. Brown had been “involved” with the course before he moved on to become the pro at a new “Negro Golf Course,” as reported by The State Times back then, in a clipping collected by the Mississippi Sovereignty Commission. The white golf pro, and former course namesake, Sonny Guy, had previously coached golf at Mississippi State. Guy even oversaw the building of the new Grove Park Golf Course (off Livingston Road) which would serve for African Americans to play on. In 1964, Guy left Jackson to become the part owner and manager of the Confederate Heights Country Club in Rankin County near Florence, which opened for play in 1969.
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Margaret Brown absolutely adored her husband. Their holy union of marriage celebrated 58-years years before his death on May 1, 2015. During the renaming celebration, she stood humbly among the dozens of guests, greeting and thanking them for coming. She spoke from the heart about her and her husband’s life, their family, Pete’s love of family, and of his love for the game of golf. “I am happy for this tribute by the City of Jackson that honors my late husband, and I know that he would be also,” said Ms. Brown to this publication. “Our life together was magical. He was a very special person to me, and to the world.” Margaret has recently relocated back to Dayton, Ohio to be closer to her family.
“It was so nice to see so many of my cousins whom I had not seen in years,” said Ms. Brown, who was chauffeured around the city and taken good care of by the organizers. “I am really pleased with how everything turned out, and I even got a chance to visit my old elementary school, Smith Robinson, which was segregated at the time. “I was a real tomboy during my early youth years, climbing trees, fighting and getting called into the principal’s office.” She also got a chance to visit the Medgar Evers Home Museum, “We actually heard the shot on the night of June 12, 1963 when he was assassinated,” says Ms. Brown. “Then we saw the police lights but we were kept back from going over there.” The Ever’s home was located behind her and her husband’s Pete’s house at the time. “It was really something to see all of this now, and to remember that night.”
Many at the course renaming celebration who personally knew Pete spoke not so much of the man as a golfer, nor of his many wins and superb golfing abilities, but rather shared their memories of him as a great person, his jovial and positive spirit, and how he never, ever, spoke negatively about anyone or anything. It was said by one such guest that when Pete was a Pro at a golf course in Ohio, the children would knock on the office door and ask if Mr. Brown could come out and play. He loved children and he loved teaching youth his favorite sport.
PHOTO GALLERY BELOW OF GUESTS ENJOYING THE RENAMING CEREMONY
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On the surrounding walls in the course renaming reception room was a display of various photos and memorabilia of Pete’s golfing life. Items included articles from golf magazines, tournament win events and even some of the Spalding golf equipment with his name engraved in them. It was noted that Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba stated that seeing the wondrous display and hearing the words spoken by the guests truly did bring the renaming celebration of Pete Brown “the Man “all together.
