Exciting News for Augusta: A Monument to Honor Black Golf Caddies!
Augusta, Georgia, is buzzing with excitement as a long-awaited monument dedicated to black golf caddies is finally taking shape! This project, in the works since 2020, is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the significant role that these dedicated individuals have played in the world of golf. With the installation of a stunning 20-foot-long, 7,000-pound golf tee right in the Sand Hills Historic District, the community is gearing up to celebrate and reflect on this often-overlooked piece of sports history.
Artistry Meets Community Spirit
What’s even more impressive is that local artist Baruti Tucker, who is deeply passionate about the project, is leading the creative charge. According to Tucker, the aim is to forge connections within the community through art. He passionately stated, “You can’t make a connection until you start reaching and that’s what it’s about.” He envisions a place where community members can stroll by, see the monument, and “smile and reflect.” Just imagine how breathtaking this will look at night with lights illuminating the tee!
Celebrating Caddie Legends
At the forefront of this tribute are caddies like Pappy Stokes and Carl Jackson, both of whom had the honor of caddying for Masters champions. Tucker believes that this monument is a golden opportunity to have real conversations about recognizing not just caddies, but also educators and other influential figures in Augusta. His vision is to foster a fresh dialogue around mentorship and legacy within the sport.
Joyce Law, the driving force behind this project as the organizer for the Master Champion Caddie Project, shares that the caddie profession hasn’t always received the recognition it deserves. “Although the tee focuses on the champion caddies, there are so many other people who joyfully worked as caddies, but their names are not known,” said Law. She highlights that this project is about acknowledging both the famous and the relatively unknown caddies who have enriched the sport over the years.
Resilience and Community Support
The journey has not been without its challenges. The project faced storm damage to the original site, but true to the community spirit, the second annual Augusta Duck event continued as planned, showing that support for a great cause prevails. Law emphasized the longstanding cooperative relationship between the Augusta Country Club and the Sand Hills neighborhood, making this location a perfect choice for the monument.
A Story Beyond the Tee
The monument aims to tell a much larger story than just the tee itself. Plans are in the works to add interpretive panels that will delve into the rich narrative of caddies and their impact on the game. What’s more, the project includes a series of bricks that can be inscribed with names of those who worked at the Augusta Country Club, Augusta National, and of course, the beloved caddies.
Mark Your Calendars!
Excitingly, the dedication for this monumental tribute is slated for mid-December, and it promises to be an enriching experience for the entire community. This gold tee will join two others created by the talented Ed Durant, located at the First Tee of Augusta and Forrest Hills, all contributing to a broader golf heritage trail in the area.
If you have any fascinating details or photographs related to champion caddies, you’re encouraged to reach out to Joyce Law at joycegdlaw@gmail.com. The time has come for Augusta to shine a well-deserved light on its heritage and the remarkable individuals who shaped the game of golf.
