He first attempted to qualify for a PGA Tour event at the 1952 Phoenix Open, using an invitation obtained by former World heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis and was subjected to threats and racial abuse there and at other tournaments.
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He chose fellow Hall of Fame member South African Gary Player to present him for induction.
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Later he competed in the golf tournaments that black golfers organized for themselves as they were excluded from the PGA of America, and worked as a personal golf coach for band leader Billy Eckstine.
African-American golfers who played the course included Jimmy Taylor (golfer), Charles Owens, Ted Rhodes, Gordon Chavis, Charlie Sifford, Dick Thomas (golfer) and Cliff Harrington.
Rhodes returned to his native Nashville in the 1960s and mentored several black PGA players including Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford.
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