Charlie Sifford was a trailblazing African American golfer who broke down racial barriers in the sport of golf. Born in 1922 in North Carolina, Sifford began his professional golf career in the 1950s at a time when the sport was still segregated. Despite facing discrimination and threats of violence, Sifford persevered and became the first Black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card in 1960.

Sifford fought against the "Caucasian-only" clause that excluded Black golfers from participating in PGA events, and his efforts were instrumental in desegregating professional golf. In 1961, he won the Greater Hartford Open, becoming the first Black golfer to win a PGA Tour event. Sifford's success paved the way for future generations of Black golfers, including Tiger Woods, who have since excelled in the sport.

In 2014, Charlie Sifford was posthumously inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, recognizing his pioneering contributions to desegregating golf and his enduring legacy in the sport. Sifford's impact on golf and society at large has made him a significant figure in Black history.