I saw his story on the Golf Channel a few years back. It probably coincided with his induction into the HoF. I imagine it will air again since his passing.
I was disturbed by the way he was treated. I know it was a reflection of our culture at the time, but it really got under my skin.
I am glad he was alive to see his induction into the hall. The way he conducted himself through the adversity took an amazing strength. He was a stronger man than I would have been, I'm sure.
Had he not been a victim of segregation he may have set records even Jack couldn't match ...we'll never know.
When Sifford won the much more high-profile Greater Hartford Open by one stroke in August 1967 [at age 45], shooting a final-round 64 at the Wethersfield Country Club, he received an ovation from the galleries and pats on the back from his fellow pros. His triumph represented much more than his $20,000 pay check, however.
“If you try hard enough, anything can happen,” he said with tears in his eyes.
In winning the Los Angeles Open, Sifford shot a 28 on the back nine of his opening round and went on to defeat Harold Henning in a playoff.
Sometimes gruff when interviewed, Sifford struggled to overcome anger at the opportunities he had lost to racial discrimination, and he sought psychological counseling and listened to relaxation tapes.
“That helped some,” he once said. “But nothing’s going to help 30 years taken out of your life.”