Dewey Brown became a member of the PGA of America in 1928. Twenty-nine at the time, and working at what is presently The Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort in Delaware, he was well known for his golf skills and southern gentleman temperament. History, however, recognizes him in a more profound way – as the first African-American PGA Professional.
In 1934, Brown’s tenure as a PGA Professional was cut short when the Association implemented the Caucasian-Only Clause – forbidding individuals of African, Native American, Asian or Latino descent from joining the ranks of the PGA of America.
As historians and Brown’s living relatives tell the story, Dewey was a fair-skinned Black man and was able to avoid racial discrimination when he initially became a PGA Member. Essentially, during a time of accepted racial division, Dewey was able to pass for white and go relatively undetected in Caucasian circles.
However, Brown may have realized his career was at stake if his racial background were discovered. A story passed down through his family says that when he competed in tournaments, his son would caddie for him. Brown’s son was more noticeably African American than his father, and thus he was not allowed to address him as “father” or “dad” during competition to conceal the truth about Brown’s race.
It is speculated that in late 1933, the PGA was made aware of Brown’s racial identity. Coincidentally, the Caucasian-Only Clause legitimized the removal of Brown’s membership.
When Dewey was a child, his family made the decision to move to the affluent area of Morris County, New Jersey, where his father again purchased land for the purpose of dairy farming. Newly minted to the north, Brown began working at Madison Golf Club as a caddie where he was introduced to the game that would change his life. It was the liberal friendship of the club’s Scottish golf professionals who taught him the game and its Rules, plus how to make clubs, putting him on a path to be successful in golf. That path would prove tumultuous for Brown, but he never wavered, even after his expulsion from the PGA of America made it difficult to find sustainable work.
Unable to find a long-term employment solution because of his race, Brown took matters into his own hands. In 1947, using his savings and some of his family’s accrued wealth, Brown purchased a nine-hole golf course and a small hotel in the center of the Adirondacks – Cedar River Golf Course. Brown bought the property, which was originally a stagecoach stop and farmlands, from the Indian Lake CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps).
In 1957, Dewey Brown gained membership into the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and enjoyed a great relationship with the GCSAA until he passed away in 1973. In fact, he was buried in the green jacket and tan pants combination that’s still associated with GCSAA members. According to GCSAA Director of Communications Craig Smith, Brown is also believed to be the first African-American member of the GCSAA.
In 1961, the PGA revoked the Caucasian-Only Clause and four years later, Brown was reinstated as a PGA Professional. “The legacy of Dewey Brown and his place in golf history is very special,” says Bob Booth, the present-day PGA Head Professional at the Cedar River facility Brown founded. “I take pride in my position at Cedar River, the heritage of the club and the steps the PGA has taken over the years.”(PGA)
Other Teebits: Joseph Bramlett and Cameron Champ made the trip to the DR for the Corales Puntacana Championship. Bramlett, still celebrating his recent betrothal to his sweetheart, made the cut finishing T36, while Champ headed home after another disappointing venture. Joel Dahmen seemed to have the event in the bag with three holes remaining but he bogeyed all three holes and lost by a single shot to Garrick Higgo. Golf is a fickle game.
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