Sifford to Receive National Honor


President Barack Obama announced Monday that Charlie Sifford will join several other notable Americans in receiving the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Arnold Palmer (2004) and Jack Nicklaus (2005) are the only other golfers to receive the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

The medal is given by the president and represents the country's highest honor for a civilian. Obama will present the awards during a November 24 ceremony at the White House.

Among the other 19 honorees are performers Stevie Wonder and Meryl Streep; choreographer Alvin Ailey; musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim; former "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw; author Isabel Allende; scientist Mildred Dresselhaus, economist Robert Solow; and actress Marlo Thomas. Ailey, who died in 1989, will receive the medal posthumously.

"I look forward to presenting these nineteen bold, inspiring Americans with our nation's highest civilian honor," President Barack Obama said. "From activists who fought for change to artists who explored the furthest reaches of our imagination; from scientists who kept America on the cutting edge to public servants who help write new chapters in our American story, these citizens have made extraordinary contributions to our country and the world."

Though he was an outstanding player, instead of being recognized for an illustrious career Sifford - who has just two PGA Tour victories - is being honored for his dogged determination in being a touring pro when the circuit had a Caucasian-only clause. He led the effort to have the clause rescinded in 1961, but still faced ridicule, harassment and death threats.

"Nothing bothered me, nothing stopped me," Sifford once said. "I wasn't just trying to do this for me, I was trying to do it for the world."

Tiger Woods tweeted about the award for Sifford, now 92: "You're the grandpa I never had. Your past sacrifices allow me to play golf today. I'm so happy for you Charlie."

This is not the first honor for Sifford, a native of Charlotte, N.C., who learned the game as a 10-year-old caddie at Carolina Country Club. After winning the Negro National Open six times, he received a sponsor's invitation to play in the 1961 Greater Greensboro Open at Sedgefield Country Club, becoming the first black golfer to play in a PGA-sanctioned event in the South.

After carding a 68 to take the first-round lead, he received a death threat and was taunted by fans throughout the tournament. Despite such distractions, he finished fourth.

In 2004 he became the first African-American to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Woods said then, "We owe everything to (Sifford) and others like him."

In 2006, Sifford, who now lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and, in 2011, the former Revolution Golf Course was renamed the Dr. Charles Sifford Golf Course at Revolution Park by the Mecklenburg (N.C.) Park and Recreation Department.

Pete McDaniel, author of the book, "Uneven Lies: The Heroic Story of African-Americans in Golf," said Sifford's impact had a considerable impact on the game. "Charlie was in the right place at the right time, and he persevered," McDaniel wrote.

"Others who came along after him credit him with being the Jackie Robinson of golf because he was the one who set the table for them. He faced so many challenges, and a lot of them were outside the game. That's what was so inspirational to a lot of players who came after him."

Past recipients from the sports world to receive the award include Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Arthur Ashe, Ernie Banks, Earl Blaik, Paul Bryant, Roberto Clemente, Joe DiMaggio, Billie Jean King, Robert J.H. Kiphuth, Stan Musial, Buck O'Neil, Jesse Owens, Richard Petty, Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell, Dean Smith, Ted Williams and John Wooden.