Dewey Brown

Who is Dewey Brown?

Dewey Brown was the first known African-American member of the Professional Golfers' Association of America.

Brown became a member in 1928 after having worked as a caddie in New Jersey. He was a renowned golf club maker and golf teacher during the 1920s and 1930s, and he crafted a set of golf clubs for President Warren G. Harding. In 1934, he worked as an assistant golf pro at Shawnee in Pennsylvania. The PGA terminated Brown's membership when they discovered that he was African American. They previously believed he was white because of his light skin color. At the time, the PGA had a Caucasian-only clause in its bylaws.

Brown purchased Cedar River Golf Club in Indian Lake, New York, in 1947. His son took it over after Brown retired in 1972.