The Minnesota Negro Open Golf Tournament - July 31, 1949
Expert Golfers Walked Off With Prizes,
But Colorful Attire Caught Eyes of Many
Minneapolis Spokeman, August 5, 1949, p. 1, by Jane Brown
| Expert golfers may have walked off with all the trophies and prizes of the seventh annual Minnesota Negro Golf Tournament, but some of the players and spectators should have been given prizes for their colorful attire. |
| "Buba" Brown would have walked away with the grand prize for the loudest dressed golfer. He wore a blue and white polkadot shirt, tired worn-out jeans, a tri-colored tassle cap (green, red and yellow) and scuffed up tan shoes that had seen better days. |
| Green, alligator golf shoes greeted the grass under the feet of Jimmie Slemmons, mayor of Bronzeville and one of the tournament promoters. His yellow and green combination was completed with pale yellow snickers, sox and striped shirt. |
| Whoever said that women were more clothes conscious than men should have viewed the crowd in the field. The men went all out for colors, but grey took first place for predominance. |
| Many golfers chose the very neutral shade for either their complete color or major color in outfits. Among the grey wearers and looking ever so emaculate and sharp were the "champ" himself, Charles Noble, Burt Smith and an out-of-towner, Cecil Watts, of La Orange, Ill. Burt Smith made a beautiful putt on the 18th green. Mr. Watts was introducing his very attractive wife to his many friends. |
| There was plenty of color. Very tall Wilbert Dugas wore his ever bright orange shirt again this year (no fooling, it is a pretty shade). Clyde Johnson, Sr. wore a chartreuse shirt to complement his maroon trousers, cap and shoes. Dick Curtis of St. Paul had on a gay Hawaiian shirt that caught the eye, while Fern Hughes serenaded in his odd but attractive combination of fuschia cap, maroon trousers and navy blue "T" shirt. |
| Ralph "Pop" Ward sunk a long one on the 18th green and confided later that it was the only good shot he had made all day. Wonder what O. J. Thornton said when his putt stuck to the edge of the cup and wouldn't drop in? |
| "Mickey" McGuire was sand trap happy but claimed it was only on the last hole. Charles Noble stayed right on par until number 18. |
| Ernest Harris had some tough luck. You know he was favored to win the tourney. Ben Slemmons was being questioned a great deal. It made good fun. Charlene Noble Hall was (and still is) so proud of her Dad she was speechless. If he wins the cup next year it will be his property for keeps. |
| Many of the gals from St. Paul were very chic in their new hair bobs. Earline? Calloway, "Dickie"? Stokes and "Dottie" Bradley were three St. Paulites with the new hair cut. The little 13 year old boy stole the show from the women players with which he did the course. |
| Julia Powell? of St. Louis, who once again took the lady's crown wore coral peddle pushers and cap to match with a striped "T" shirt. Florence Fletcher looked smart in a blue denim skirt and casual blouse. Most of the lady golfers wore peddle pushers. |
