WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the death of Charles Sifford, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released this statement:

“Charles Sifford was not only a legendary golfer, he also broke barriers and laid important groundwork for future generations,” Brown said. “I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.”

Sifford – who lived in Brecksville – received the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony at the White House in Nov. 2014. Sifford was a professional golfer who helped desegregate the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and went on to win several PGA events and the PGA Seniors’ Championship. Sifford will be honored during a ceremony at the White House on November 24.

 

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Sifford won six National Negro Opens before successfully challenging the PGA’s “Caucasian only” rule – despite harassment and death threats – in 1960. He won his first PGA title in 1967 and another in 1969. Sifford was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.

  

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