Charles Sifford was named one of 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. It’s the nation’s highest civilian honor. Sifford was a professional golfer who helped to desegregate the Professional Golfers’ Association, despite harassment and death threats. He won six National Negro Opens before he won his challenge over the PGA’s “Caucasian only” membership policy in 1960. He went on to win official PGA events and the PGA Seniors’ Championship.
