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John Mathew Shippen Jr. |
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African American golfer, John Mathew Shippen Jr., was born on December 5, 1879. Shippen was the fourth of nine children and was from Long Island, NY. As a youngster, John Shippen worked as a caddy at the course at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and was taught to play by the club's Scottish professional Willie Dunn.
Shippen's skills were so good, he began giving lessons at the Shinnecock Hills. At the age of 16, with the encouragement of many of the club's members, Shippen entered the United States Open Championships. He also convinced one of his young friends, Oscar Bunn, a full-blooded Shinnecock Indian, to play. Both men were the first of their race to enter the US Open. However, all were not happy to see Shippen in the US Open and threatened Theodore Havemeyer, president of the USGA. they would not play if Shippen was allowed to play. Havemeyer calmed the other golfer's down although no one know exactly what he told them. Some say he said Shippen was half Shinnecock Indian which was less offensive to the other men than African American. Other say Havemeyer took a harsher stance by stating the tournament would be played even if Shippen and Bunn were the only participants. Shippen played very well and finished in fifth place, haunted by an 11 on the par 4 13th hole. Shippen played in four more US Open tournaments but never finished higher than fifth place.
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