Central Florida’s Black Golf Legacy Runs Deeper Than Most People Realize

From Herbert Dixon in Bartow to generations of golfers throughout Polk County, Orlando, and Tampa, Central Florida has quietly produced an important chapter in Black golf history — one that is only beginning to be documented.

Dixon’s story anchors it: a caddie at Bartow Golf Course during segregation who became a National Negro Open champion, a member of four halls of fame, and — at 106 — a living link to the United Golfers Association era. The city of Bartow now celebrates Herbert Dixon Day every April, and the course where he wasn’t allowed to play has a driving range that bears his name.

He didn’t travel alone. Richard Lewis, his friend and fellow touring professional, crossed the country with him on the segregated circuit — one of the many Central Florida players whose careers are documented today only in fragments.

This is a living page. BLAC is continuing the research into Polk County, Orlando, and Tampa’s Black golf history — read how Herbert Dixon helped put Bartow on the national golf map, and explore BLAC Golf.