An Age-Old Question : Was Birth Record Altered to Allow Golfer on Seniors Tour?

State birth records for PGA Seniors Tour member James Herbert Williams indicate the North Carolinian is two years too young to be on the circuit, a situation that has tour officials concerned and one woman facing charges.

Williams, who won $1,494 on the seniors tour this year, was born on Sept. 27, 1936, according to state records. He told a Gastonia newspaper that he was born on the same date, but two years earlier.

“I don’t know nothing about it,” said Williams, who claimed his birthplace is Gastonia. “I ain’t told no lie about nothing. I was just born. I was born right here in this damn town as far as I know.”

The Gastonia Gazette’s questions about Williams’ birth certificate led to a State Bureau of Investigation probe of records in the Gaston County Register of Deeds office. As a result, deputy register of deeds Irene Huskins has been charged with falsifying a public document in connection with the incident.

“Obviously, I cannot comment,” said Brian Henning of the PGA, who added he was not present at the tournament where Williams collected his winnings. “I don’t have the details.”

Henning, who oversees all PGA Seniors events, said the PGA will check the facts and take the matter under legal counsel. However, Henning said, there are no safeguards to prevent such an occurrence.

“We accept the fact that if a man comes out here, he is 50. We accept that by being a golfer, that he abides by the rules. If we have been caught once, we will do something,” Henning said in an interview from San Antonio, Tex., where the seniors are competing this week.

On April 25, records at the Gaston County Register of Deeds office showed that where most of the entries under “Williams” were handwritten, the name of James Herbert Williams was typed in. Register of Deeds Alice Brown said the page was “under investigation.” Both are being held as evidence in the case against Huskins.

A check of birth records in Raleigh found that James Herbert Williams was born Sept. 27, 1936, in Marion to Earl Williams and Ruth Self. The elder Williams, who lives in Lexington, confirmed that his son was born in Marion in 1936.

In Sun City, Ariz., Williams tied for 31st place and won $1,494, 71st among the seniors’ money winners this season before the Legends of Golf tournament in Texas two weeks ago.