b'In his research of that 1913 U.S. Open, Billy became enaissance Man familiar with John Shippen, considered the first American-born golf professional. Shippen first played in the U.S. Open in 1896 and placed as high as fifth in the 1902 U.S. Open.John Shippen happened to be Black, happened to be African-American, and he played in that U.S. Open, Billy said. In 1913, he was in the field. That was a big thing for me, as a Black person.And, obviously, 1913 was the year Harry Vardon and Ted Ray were making their tour across America. And they played Tacoma Country & Golf Club, so that was a really big deal.A hundred years later, in 2013, in a kind of a tip of the cap, if you will, Billy got a group of friends involved in his AP National Golf Club to honor theDurel went all in for hickory, and even won the history of golf. 2013 AP National Vintage Hickory Invitational.Toward the end of the year I wanted to do a fun tournament and bring persimmon woods into play andhowever. As with Shippen a hundred years earlier, there blade irons. It was just going to be a fun tournamenthave been hurdles. In the 1896 U.S. Open at Shinnecock to bring everyone together and just have a good time. Hills, most of the other competitors went to the USGA It evolved into a series of hickory club events, upand said they would refuse to play if Shippen and to eight a year he was organizing, some at The Homeanother player, a member of the Shinnecock Indian Course and some at Meadow Park in Tacoma. Nation, were allowed to play. The USGA said, fine, if However, it wasnt the old-style clubs that inspired him. thats the case, it will just be a two-person U.S. Open, I guess you could say Im kind of a self-proclaimedjust Shippen and the other. golf snob, Billy says. Im not a big fan of jeans andFor Billy, once his hickory events became popular, other T-shirts on the golf course. It would be really cool ifgroups of hickory players took notice. But instead of guys came out in a vest and a tie and played golf. companionship, unresolved conflicts rose to the surface.Its a look another Puyallup resident, PGA TourAt one point, Billy developed a junior golf series as well professional Ryan Moore, displayed for all the world toas a commercial endeavor with junior cartoon characters see for a couple of years. such as Sandy Par and Billy Bogey that were popular on It was a beautiful look, Billy said. It was awesome. T-shirts and one day might make their way So, the first big event for AP National was more ofinto a kids instructional book.a dress-up event, with a hickory division, a HoganThe T-shirts were popular in pro division and a Golden Bear division. shops and retail outlets, but one Everybody had to dress up, Billy said. regional retail chain quickly dropped His life in golf hasnt been all fun and games,its enthusiasm as soon as it discovered that a Black man wasnt just the salesperson, but the owner and creator of the product.There were times when I was told there were no tee times, or we cant get you out, or being followed in the pro shop, Billy said.It wasnt going to stop me. This was my thing, and I loved it, and I felt like it was for everyone.Its not just the game Durel Billy fell in love with, but also its history, traditions and even its clothes.My love for it. he added, his voice trailing off. That is what I want other people to experience.SEPT 2020 |PACIFIC NORTHWEST GOLFER19'