SCR156

A Concurrent Resolution urging the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp commemorating John Matthew Shippen, Jr.

Whereas, John Matthew Shippen, Jr. is considered to be the first African-American professional golfer and is known as one of America’s golf pioneers; and

Whereas, Mr. Shippen was first introduced to golf in the 1890’s, when the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club was built near the Indian reservation in Shinnecock Hills, New York; and

Whereas, Scottish golfer Willie Dunn supervised the construction of Shinnecock Hills, hiring Mr. Shippen to clear heavy brush from the plot of land that was to become one of the country’s first golf clubs; and

Whereas, Mr. Dunn made Mr. Shippen his assistant, with Mr. Shippen assuming the responsibilities of a pro at the club, performing a wide range of duties including tending to the course, repairing clubs, and serving as a scorekeeper for club tournaments; and

Whereas, In 1896, at the age of 16, Mr. Shippen was invited by members of the U.S. Open to participate in the tournament at Shinnecock Hills, with the members paying his entry fee; and

Whereas, The U.S. Open faced a boycott over the decision to include Mr. Shippen in the tournament, due to racism that existed within the sport, by other professional entrants in the tournament; and

Whereas, United States Golf Association president Theodore Havemeyer stated that the tournament would proceed even if Mr. Shippen and Oscar Bunn, his partner for the tournament, were the only ones who took part; and

Whereas, Mr. Shippen placed fifth in his first U.S. Open tournament and was the only African-American golfer to compete in the U.S. Open until 1948; and

Whereas, While pursuing a career as a professional golfer, Mr. Shippen continued to work at Shinnecock Hills until he retired in 1924; and

Whereas, After retiring, Mr. Shippen moved to New Jersey, finding his permanent home as greens keeper and head pro at Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, presently known as Scotch Hills County Club, from 1924 to 1960; and

Whereas, In 1968, Mr. Shippen passed away in a Newark, New Jersey nursing home at the age of 89 and was buried without recognition for his achievements and contributions to the sport of golf; and

Whereas, In 2009, the Professional Golfers’ Association granted Mr. Shippen posthumous membership, after being denied the opportunity to become a Professional Golfers’ Association member during his professional career; and

Whereas, The John Shippen Memorial Golf Foundation successfully embarked on a campaign to purchase and place a memorializing granite headstone at the grave site of Mr. Shippen, and now is embarking on its new effort to have a United States postage stamp issued in commemoration of Mr. Shippen; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey urges the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp commemorating John Matthew Shippen, Jr. and urges the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States Postal Service, the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service, to each member of Congress elected from this State, and to the John Shippen Memorial Golf Foundation.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the United States Postal Service to issue a postage stamp commemorating John Matthew Shippen, Jr., and urges the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service to recommend to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

John Matthew Shippen, Jr. is considered to be the first African-American professional golfer and is known as one of America’s golf pioneers. Mr. Shippen was first introduced to golf in the 1890’s, when the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club was built near the Indian reservation in Shinnecock Hills, New York. In 1896, at the age of 16, Mr. Shippen was invited by members of the U.S. Open to participate in the tournament at Shinnecock Hills, with the members paying his entry fee. Mr. Shippen placed fifth in his first U.S. Open tournament and was the only African-American golfer to compete in the U.S. Open until 1948.

After retiring, Mr. Shippen moved to New Jersey, finding his permanent home as greens keeper and head pro at Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, presently known as Scotch Hills Country Club, from 1924 to 1960. In 1968, Mr. Shippen passed away in a Newark, New Jersey nursing home at the age of 89 and was buried without recognition for his achievements and contributions to the sport of golf. In 2009, the Professional Golfers’ Association granted Mr. Shippen posthumous membership, after being denied the opportunity to become a Professional Golfers’ Association member during his professional career.