| John Shippen | |
|---|---|
 Shippen, c. 1899 | |
| Personal information | |
| Full name | John Matthew Shippen |
| Born | (1879-12-02)December 2, 1879[1] Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | May 20, 1968(1968-05-20) (aged 88) Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 158 lb (72 kg) |
| Sporting nationality |  United States |
| Career | |
| Status | Professional |
| Best results in major championships | |
| Masters Tournament | DNP |
| U.S. Open | T5:1896,1902 |
| The Open Championship | DNP |
John Matthew Shippen Jr. (December 2, 1879 – May 20, 1968) was an Americanprofessional golfer. Shippen is best known for his success at the early U.S. Opens, finishing fifth at the1896 U.S. Open and the1902 U.S. Open.[2] Shippen, of black and Native American descent, is believed to be the first American-born professional golfer.
In 1879, Shippen was born inWashington, D.C.. He was the son of a former slave andPresbyterian minister, John Shippen Sr. and Eliza Spotswood Shippen.[2] He is believed to be the first American-born golf professional.[3]
When he was nine his father was sent to serve as minister on theShinnecock Indian Reservation—close to Shinnecock Hills—one of America's earliest golf clubs. John Jr. worked as acaddie at the course and was taught to play by the club's English professional,Willie Dunn Jr.
At the age of 16, Shippen earned an assistant professional post at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club where he began giving lessons to some of the club members and became an accomplished player in his own right.[3]
The Shinnecock Hills course was chosen to host the second U.S. Open in 1896. Shippen played superb golf, finishing in fifth place.[4] Prior to the start of the tournament, some club members had been so impressed with Shippen's talent for the game that they decided to pay his entry fee for the tournament, along with that of his close friend, Oscar Bunn, a Shinnecock Indian.
When the professional entrants for the competition found out a racial controversy had begun, they threatened to boycott the event,[2] but they backed down after USGA presidentTheodore Havemeyer stated that the tournament would proceed even if only Shippen and Bunn took part. Shippen was paired withCharles B. Macdonald, winner of the firstU.S. Amateur in 1895. He was tied for second place after the first of the two rounds, and remained in contention until he drove his ball onto a sandy road at the 13th hole and scored an eleven. If he had made par on that hole, he would have made a playoff for the championship, but he still finished in a tie for fifth and won $10 as the fourth-placed non-amateur. Scottish-bornJames Foulis won the $150 first prize.
Shippen played in five more U.S. Opens, and his best finish was a tie for fifth in 1902.[5] He made his career in golf and served as professional at several clubs, the last of which wasShady Rest Golf and Country Club inNew Jersey, where he worked from 1932 until the club was acceded to the township ofScotch Plains in 1964.[2] As a professional, Shippen made and sold his own clubs which bore a stamp reading "J. M. Shippen".[6]
No other African-American played in the Open untilTed Rhodes took part in 1948.
He died on May 20, 1968, at a nursing home inNewark, New Jersey.[7] He is buried at the Rosedale Cemetery inLinden, New Jersey.[8]
When the U.S. Open was played at Shinnecock Hills in 1986, Shippen was remembered during the ABC television broadcast. For many members of the former Shady Rest club, it was the first time they had learned of his accomplishments.[9] The John Shippen Museum is located in the clubhouse of theShady Rest Golf and Country Club in Scotch Plains.[10] The John Shippen National Invitational Golf Tournament for Black Golfers was established byIntersport in 2021.[11]
In 2009, thePGA of America granted posthumous membership to Shippen, Rhodes, andBill Spiller who were denied the opportunity to become PGA members during their professional careers. The PGA also granted posthumous honorary membership to boxerJoe Louis.[12]
In 2018, Shippen was posthumously inducted in to the New Jersey Hall of Fame.[13]
| Tournament | 1896 | 1897 | 1898 | 1899 | 1900 | 1901 | 1902 | 1903 | 1904 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Open | T5 | T25 | T27 | T5 |
| Tournament | 1905 | 1906 | 1907 | 1908 | 1909 | 1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Open | CUT | T41 |
Note: Shippen played only in theU.S. Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Media related toJohn Shippen at Wikimedia Commons