Calvin Peete: Golf's Forgotten Star

Calvin Peete, a Black golfer who rose to the top of the PGA, is the subject of the first-ever biography, Calvin Peete: Golf's Forgotten Star. Despite facing discrimination and adversity, Peete achieved success through hard work and determination, becoming one of the best Black golfers in history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Calvin Peete, a highly underrated PGA star and one of the finest Black golfers in history, has been the subject of the first-ever biography. His remarkable journey is unparalleled in the world of golf. Born to a family of migrant laborers, Peete dropped out of school in the eighth grade and began working in the fields at the age of 23. It was at this point that he first picked up a golf club and embarked on a journey that would lead him to the pinnacle of the PGA.

In Calvin Peete: Golf's Forgotten Star, Gordon Hobson recounts Peete's incredible story for the first time. Hobson highlights how Peete stood out from the competition in numerous ways when he joined the lily-white PGA tour in 1976. Unlike many of his peers, Peete was not raised in country clubs or attended prestigious golf universities. Instead, he sported a distinctive Fu Manchu, cowboy boots, and had diamonds embedded in his teeth. Peete also had a permanently bent left elbow, which he overcame by practicing tirelessly in a public park, developing one of the most accurate swings in the history of golf.

Despite facing years of futility and despair, Peete's perseverance paid off, and he emerged as the best player on the Tour from 1982 to 1986. His twelve championships, two appearances on the US Ryder Cup team, and the prestigious Vardon Award are a testament to his talent and dedication. However, Peete's success was not without its challenges. Even after the Caucasian-only clause was removed from the PGAs bylaws, Black golfers continued to face discrimination and obstacles on their path to success.

Calvin Peete: Golf's Forgotten Star provides an inspiring account of Peete's journey. It showcases how, even without the advantages some people are born into, one can achieve success through hard work, determination, and fortitude. Peete's story serves as a reminder that talent and skill alone are not enough; one must also overcome adversity and persevere in the face of challenges. It is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability of individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

In conclusion, Calvin Peete's story is a remarkable one that deserves to be recognized and celebrated. His journey from a humble beginning to the top of the PGA is an inspiration to all who aspire to greatness. Through his hard work, determination, and fortitude, Peete overcame obstacles and achieved success against all odds. His biography, Calvin Peete: Golf's Forgotten Star, provides a valuable insight into the struggles and triumphs of Black golfers and serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance and determination.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538186855