Fredricksburg, Maryland

By: Debert Cook, CMP,  Publisher ,
African American Golfers Digest

History defines for us the fact that More than 200,000 blacks fought for the Union, and 38,000 died, the majority of disease, during the Civil War.  With the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln declared all slaves in areas rebelling against the United States to be free on January 1, 1863. (One million slaves in Union territory remained officially enslaved). Many slaves in the South did not even hear about the proclamation until months later. And many of those who did hear of it were forced to continue as slaves without Union soldiers to enforce the edict.

In golf, Charles Sifford symbolizes the transition from ‘slave’ to ‘free’.  He was the first African American to play on the PGA tour. Sifford, born in rural North Carolina in 1922, started playing golf as a young caddie in the 1930s, earning just 60 cents a day.  And, although during his adult years, he won the National Negro Open five times in a row (1952-1956), Sifford was repeatedly denied a PGA card. 

This was because there was a “Caucasians-only” clause in the PGA’s constitution that barred black golfers from competing.  Only as late as 1961 did the PGA rescind its Caucasians-only clause, which finally allowed black golfers to play regularly on the tour.  Sifford became the first black to play fulltime on the PGA Tour when he was finally invited in1960, when the PGA dropped its “Caucasian Only” rule, under pressure from the California attorney general.

In 2004, Sifford also become the first African American ever to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame (St. Augustine, Florida).

Some very interesting and historical golf sites are located in Fredericksburg VA.   When you visit, you will have the opportunity to play some great courses, while also receiving a history lesson about slavery in America and the Civil War.

At Cannon Ridge Golf Club, Lee’s Hill, and Meadows Farms Golf Course the time will go quickly, so try to pack in as much golf as possible in at these excellent Northern Virginia golf courses.

Cannon Ridge Golf Club is located in Celebrate, Virginia, a new development consisting of hotels, corporate campuses, business development, shopping, and  the National Slave Museum.   The museum is a must-visit for your itinerary, so do save at least two hours to thoroughly enjoy it while you’re in the area.

A unique feature about Celebrate, Virginia, is the tram that takes golfers from the hotel directly to the golf course.  This course was once ranked the second toughest public course in Virginia, a par 71 measuring 7010 yard from the championship tees.  Although the fairways bend right and look inviting to a right-handed golfer with a fade of the tee, the best approach to the green is from the left side of the fairway.  Most of the greens are elevated and require one more club to reach.  The greens are undulating, not very fast.  In fact, a good putter can score well on this course.   www.golfcannonridge.com

Lee’s Hill is built on land where General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, camped for the winter following the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862.  The course is located less than two miles off I-95, exit 126.  To take your mind off your golf game, read the historical plaques identifying the Civil War trenches and other landmarks on the course.  If the plaques and landmarks don’t distract you, the wetlands and water hazards will.  Thirteen of the eighteen holes are lined with either water or wetlands.  This is a beautiful course lined with many flowers.  This course requires accurate shots to score well.  http://www.leeshillgc.com

Meadows Farms Golf Course, is a unique golfing experience that you will find anywhere with its 27 hole layout that is very different from many other courses.  The owner is said to have wanted to create a golf course that is non- traditional, with no flowers or plants, just fun golf, where the green fees are affordable for the average golfer.  The name of the three nine-hole layouts says something about the course:  ISLAND GREEN NINE, LONGEST HOLE NINE, and WATERFALL NINE.  This nine-hole layout is built around a Civil War Hospital that treated both Union and Confederate Soldiers during the Civil War.  Living up to its name, the Longest Hole Nine is the longest golf hole in the United States.  It is a par 6 measuring 841 yards from the blue tees.  This is a “must play” hole.  Another unique hole on this nine is the baseball hole.  From the tee box, the green looks like a baseball infield with a home run wall.   www.meadowsfarms.com

Debert Cook is publisher of the Publisher, African American Golfer’s Digest, the nations leading print publication and online portal for avid black golfers. Established in 2003, the full color, 40 page, lifestyle magazine serves 80,000 readers every quarter and is a PGA of America Diverse Supplier.  For more visit www.AfricanAmericanGolfersDigest.com