Bill Spiller

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This article is about the golfer. For the public broadcasting pioneer, see Bill W. Spiller.

Bill Spiller (1913-1988)[1] was one of the pioneers in the efforts to desegregate sports in the twentieth century. After being denied entry in the 1948 Richmond Open held in Richmond, California by the PGA of America, Spiller spent many years challenging the segregation policy of the PGA of America. The professional golf at the time was controlled by the PGA of America which required tournaments to give it final say over who could participate. One of its rules was that participants must be Caucasian. A golfer who was otherwise qualifed (such as Spiller) could be denied tournament entry for not being Caucasian.[2]

Spiller sued with the assistance of Bay Area attorney Jonathan Rowell. The basis of the lawsuit filed by Spiller and fellow golfer Ted Rhodes was that the golfers were denied a right to earn a living in the sport because the PGA was a closed shop. Under the Taft-Hartley Act such rules were against the law. Shortly before the court date, they withdrew the lawsuit in return for a promise from the PGA lawyer that the PGA would end discrimination. The PGA reneged on its end of the bargain and began sponsoring "invitational tournaments" to which blacks were not invited.[2]

In 1952, the sponsors of the new San Diego Open invited Spiller, unaware of the "Caucasians only" clause. This time he was assited by fellow invitee and former heavyweight champion Joe Louis. When both men were excluded by president of the PGA of America Horton Smith, Louis took his story to popular newpaper columnist Walter Winchell. The story quickly gained national attention as other newspapers spread the word. Once again, Spiller threatened to sue. Once again, Smith promised to change the rules. This time the PGA of America announced blacks could play, if invited. Some sponsors began inviting blacks, however the segregation clause remained.[2]

In 1960, Spiller's cause came to the attention of California attorney general (and future California Supreme Court justice) Stanley Mosk. Mosk told the PGA of America it would not be allowed to use public courses. At the time, most tournaments were held on public courses. When the PGA of America replied that it would restrict itself to private courses, Mosk promised to stop that as well. Furthermore, he began contacting state attorneys general around the country.[2]

The PGA of America relented in November 1961, removing the clause it had inserted in 1943. It was too late for for Spiller to have a successful professional golf career.[2] Spiller had not started until he was almost 30 and the clause wasn't removed until he was 48.[1] However it opened the door for the next generation of players.[2]

[edit] See also

  • Rafe Botts (1937- )
  • Pete Brown (1935- ), first black to win a PGA-sanctioned tournament in 1964
  • Lee Elder (1934- ), first African-American to play in the Masters Tournament in 1975
  • Charlie Owens (1930- )
  • Calvin Peete (1943- ), most successful African-American on the PGA Tour, with 12 wins, before the emergence of Tiger Woods
  • Ted Rhodes (1913-1969), played in United Golf Association, mentor of Elder and Sifford
  • Charlie Sifford (1922- ), first African-American to be member of the PGA Tour in 1961
  • Tiger Woods (1975- )

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Bill Spiller had an excellent golf game! The African American Registry, October 25
  2. ^ a b c d e f One man's mission Al Barkow, Golf World, ESPN, 2008-01-29