The inaugural National Colored Golf Championship was held at Shady Rest Country Club in Scotch Plains, New Jersey in July, 1925. Harry Jackson of Washington, DC led a field of 30 golfers, shooting a 299 for 72 holes. John Shippen was second, three shots back.
Fox Movietone News had a representative at the tournament, “who took motion pictures of the clubhouse, golf links, gallery, players in action, and of the presentation of cups….” The black press helped promote golf among business and civic leaders by covering tournament play in major cities. Harry Jackson would repeat as champion in the first official UGA National Open in 1926 at Mapledale Country Club in Stow, Massachusetts, where Shippen finished fourth. In this video you can see John Shippen at the 5:36 minute mark, receiving the second place cup (he is smoking a cigarette) - see him also at 5:47 shaking hands, 6:01 holding his hat, 6:56 and 7:06 sitting on the ground holding his hat.
