Slur on Blacks by Golf Club Gets Apology

The founder of Shoal Creek apologized for his remarks about the absence of blacks at the exclusive Shelby County golf club, but some black leaders questioned whether he went far enough.

In a letter released Wednesday night, Hall Thompson urged a rapid healing of any wounds that could scar the Professional Golfers’ Assn. Championship, which will be held at Shoal Creek in August.

Thompson was quoted in the June 21 Birmingham Post-Herald as saying the all-white club “will not be pressured” into accepting blacks.

He also was quoted as saying members of the club would feel uncomfortable if blacks were admitted. “That’s just not done in Birmingham, Ala.,” he said in the story.

In the letter signed Wednesday by Thompson at a Shoal Creek board of governors meeting, he said the comments were taken out of context.

“Regardless, those comments have now become the catalyst for continuing debate and condemnation of our community and its leaders,” Thompson said. “I truly and deeply regret that.

“I hereby apologize to those that took offense at those comments.”

The newspaper story came a day after Birmingham City Councilman William Bell questioned whether the city should pay $1,500 for an advertisement in the golf tournament’s program. A 1980 council resolution forbids city support of events at facilities that discriminate on race, creed, color or religion.

Mayor Richard Arrington told the City Council on Tuesday that the ad will not be purchased.

Bell said he was relieved by Thompson’s apology. “I think from this point we can go forward not only to make the PGA Championship the best event it can possibly be, but to make the greater Birmingham metropolitan area a better place for everyone to live.”

Abraham Woods, president of the Birmingham chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, said Thompson’s apology is “a step in the right direction,” but that it doesn’t address his main concern.

“He does not say anything about membership for blacks, that blacks will be allowed to go out there and play,” Woods said. “I’d like to see members of that group actively recruit black members. That is going to be the only way we can put this thing behind us.”