North Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Theodore "Ted" Rhodes
November 9, 1913 - July 4, 1969
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
1. Theodore "Ted" Rhodes Marker
Recognized as the first African-American professional golfer, Theodore "Ted" Rhodes, a native of Nashville, competed on the United Golf Association Tour. A predominately black tour, Rhodes won 150 tournaments from the late 1940s to 1960. Boxing champion Joe Louis' personal golf pro, Louis sponsored Rhodes on the UGA. In 1948, Rhodes became the first African-American professional golfer to compete on the PGA tour, when he played in the U.S. Open at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. A pioneer, Ted Rhodes blazed the PGA tour trail for African-American professional golfers. In 1998 he was inducted into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 179.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1860.
Location. 36° 11.083′ N, 86° 49.432′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Bordeaux Community and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge/Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Temple Cemetery (approx. ¾ mile away); Engine Company No. 11 (approx. 0.8 miles away); North Nashville High School (approx. one mile away); Juno Frankie Pierce (approx. one mile away); Zephaniah Alexander Looby (approx. 1.1 miles away); Coach Ed Temple (approx. 1.1 miles away); Iconography of the TSU Olympian (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
2. Theodore "Ted" Rhodes Marker reverse
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
3. Theodore "Ted" Rhodes Marker
Photographed By R. E. Smith, September 2, 2007
4. Theodore "Ted" Rhodes Golf Course - Entrance Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,251 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 10, 2007, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
