Summary
Sifford: Many don't know what I've done or the foundation myself and many others laid so we can have a [Tiger Woods] today. What the kids today need to know is that golf didn't start in 1997, but in 1947. It's a good thing what Tiger is doing, but most kids don't know any better than Tiger Woods. That shouldn't be. They should know where the game started from, they should know their history.
Sifford: No, I'm not bitter. If you go around being bitter at people, you won't live long. I'm over 80 years old. I've put all that negative stuff behind me and I decided to look forward a long time ago. When I was going through what I did, I focused on proving that a Black man can play the game of golf as good as a White man. What I've tried to prove has been proven by Tiger Woods. I was too old when they let me play. I never did learn how to play the game the best I could, because I had too many other things to worry about.Sifford: Well, I'm really glad he has come along like he has . . . it really makes me smile . . . a big smile. They need some more (players like) Tiger Woods, but I don't know if they will find any soon, because the majority of the youth are not into golf. What Tiger has accomplished is wonderful. There is tremendous pressure on him from all angles, but the way he has handled himself is special. I'm very proud of what he has done and the way he has done it. I've gotten to know the kid and he understands and respects the players that played before him. He's a very smart guy and knows how to handle what's happening around him.Jackie Robinson (MLB), Marion Motley (NFL), Bill Russell (NBA), Jack Johnson (boxing) and Jesse Owens (track and field) all have been acknowledged as pioneers in American sports lore.See the full content of this document
Extract
Charlie Sifford Paved the Way
Most know the name of Tiger Woods. No matter if one plays golf or not Woods' name and persona is always present in the sports community.
Jackie Robinson (MLB), Marion Motley (NFL), Bill Russell (NBA), Jack Johnson (boxing) and Jesse Owens (track and field) all have been acknowledged as pioneers in American sports lore.In professional golf, Charlie Sifford is the pioneer.As Woods told me in an interview, "(Charlie) Sifford was a name I heard in my home ever since I can remember. Dad let me know that there ...See the full content of this document
Sponsored links
