Golf Pioneers | Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson is one of the greatest athletes of all-time, and making her accomplishments even more impressive is the barriers she broke in two separate sports: tennis and golf. Gibson became the first African-American to win a Tennis Grand Slam, capturing the French Open Singles title in 1956. After retiring from tennis in 1958, Gibson set her sights on a new sport, golf, where she became the first African-American to become an LPGA Member in 1963. She would compete in 171 events on the LPGA over a 14-year career.

Gibson is much more known for her tennis career, where she won 11 total Grand Slam titles, and while she never won on the LPGA, she came close at the Len Immke Buick Open in 1970, where she finished in a tie for second place.

To reach the pinnacle of one sport is hard enough, but to do it in two different sports is something only a few select names can say.  Add in the fact that she had to overcome the social and racial inequalities that African-Americans faced during that time, and her accomplishments both on the court and on the course, and her impact beyond sports, are something that should be revered amongst sports’ greatest achievements. 

Here at 2nd Swing Golf we are celebrating Black History Month with sales of our African-American Golf Pioneers Posters, which feature the likes of Althea Gibson and many more pioneers of the sport. These posters are for sale on our website, with all proceeds going towards PGA Hope. We will also match 100% of all orders through the month of February.