Caddying on the Color Line: How Black Caddies Defined and Redefined Golf in the South - Hardcover

by Craig J. Gill (Author)

A poignant exploration of the untold stories of Black caddies and their profound impact on the history of golf in the segregated South.

Caddying on the Color Line unveils the hidden history of African American caddies who navigated the racial complexities of Jim Crow golf courses. From labor exploitation to unexpected moments of dignity and resistance, their experiences shaped the sport and challenged the social order.

Discover the lives of men like Willie Peterson, who caddied for Jack Nicklaus, and Demus Taylor, who transitioned from enslavement to caddying. This is a story of resilience, skill, and the enduring pursuit of equality, revealing how Black caddies not only carried golf bags but also carried the weight of a nation's racial divide. Perfect for readers interested in African American history, sports, and the untold stories of the South.

Author Biography

CRAIG J. GILL is a Scottish writer, researcher, and historian. Having grown up playing golf and caddying for the occasional American tourist in Edinburgh and the East Neuk of Fife, he completed an undergraduate degree in History and a Master's in American Studies at the University of Glasgow.

He spent the subsequent five years in the U.S. South, studying the region's complex past. He earned a PhD in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Craig now lives in Vancouver, British Columbia-- four thousand miles from his (and golf' s) home country, but still deeply committed to illuminating a more holistic understanding of golf's rich past.