Shoal Creek Founder Casts Doubts on Future Tourneys

Shoal Creek founder Hall Thompson said the country club might never host another major golf tournament because of the controversy that developed over its membership during the PGA Championship last month.

On Monday, the Birmingham businessman made his first public comments since the controversy when he presented a check for $25,000 to the Shelby County Commission to help defray the $52,000 in overtime that sheriff’s deputies were paid during the tournament Aug. 9-12.

Thompson was quoted in a newspaper story on June 21 as saying the all-white club would not be pressured into accepting a black member. After blacks threatened protests during the tournament and sponsors began pulling their television advertising, the club accepted a black as an honorary member.

Shoal Creek also hosted the PGA Championship in 1984, but Thompson told the county commission, “We may or may not have another championship because of this.”

Thompson said he had been “sorely abused” during the controversy.

Also, he said, “Our membership doesn’t deserve to be treated as it has been.”