In his autobiography,Just Let Me Play, Sifford described Rhodes as incomparable, but, unfortunately, ahead of his time. Wrote Sifford, "Poor Teddy just came along 20 years too soon to be a black man in professional golf. Although he tried a couple of times to break into the PGA Tour, he was just too nice a guy and too much a gentleman to fight and scratch for his constitutional right to play. Teddy didn't want any of that pushing and pressing that it took to break into the game. It was contrary to his nature."

Rhodes' career began and ended in the relative obscurity of tournaments conducted by and for people of color. However, on rare occasions, black players were welcomed into events with primarily Caucasian fields. In fact, it was an invitation to play in Chicago at the 1946 Tam O'Shanter, one of the few white-run tournaments opened to African-Americans, that unlocked a small window of opportunity for the man Sifford called "The Black Jack Nicklaus." Played over the Fourth of July weekend, The Tam O'Shanter was not sponsored by the PGA Tour but many of its regulars played in the event. Rhodes' presence drew stares from the mostly white galleries. At 5 feet 11 inches, medium build, dashing good looks, a processed hairstyle and natty attire, he struck quite a figure. He was also the only black player in the field that year and clearly felt uncomfortable with the attention. The chilly reception he received from some of the white players disconcerted him. Although he was 32, The Tam O'Shanter was his first exposure to huge, hostile crowds. But, true to his natural demeanor, Rhodes quietly competed and managed a respectable 43rd place finish, worth $150. Said two-time PGA champion Paul Runyan, "He had great skill and technique. If he had had the same advantages that we white kids had, I think he might have been a real contender. But during those days, the black kids were playing under a cloud. They were not as welcome as they should have been and as a result they didn't get a fair shot."

Rhodes excelled where he was welcome—on the UGA. Later that year, he finished runner-up to Howard Wheeler for the 1946 Negro National Open title in Pittsburgh, his first taste of success on the national level. He would go on to win the UGA championship in 1949, '50, '51 and '57.

In those days, UGA tournaments were social events in the local African-American community, frequented by celebrities dujour and superstar athletes in other arenas. It was at one of those tournaments — the Joe Louis Invitational at Rackham GC in Detroit — that Rhodes was to meet his golfing savior. Louis, a golf junkie, recognized Rhodes' potential and hired him as his "personal golf instructor," a euphemism, since what Louis became, in effect, was Rhodes' sponsor, benefactor and friend. That winter Louis sent Rhodes to Los Angeles to develop his game under the tutelage of Ray Mangrum, brother of 1946 U.S. Open winner Lloyd Mangrum. The municipal courses of Los Angeles County became Rhodes' home and venues of opportunity.

Rhodes developed into a player who could hold his own—when given the opportunity. One of those opportunities came during the 1948 U.S. Open at Riviera CC in Los Angeles, practically in Rhodes' backyard. In fact, Rhodes was familiar with the course, having finished 21st in a field of 66 at the Los Angeles Open held there in January. It was after that non-sanctioned PGA tournament that he, Bill Spiller and amateur Madison Gunther sued the PGA of America for not allowing them to play at the tour's next stop, in Richmond, Calif. The issue wouldn't be resolved until September when the PGA agreed to stop closing its events to African-Americans and the trio dropped the suit. In June, however, Rhodes wasn't so much concerned about pending litigation as he was golf's national championship. Taking advantage of local knowledge and accuracy off the tee, Rhodes opened with a one-under-par 70 to trail Ben Hogan and defending champion Lew Worsham by three shots. The aftershocks from his first round were felt in caddie yards around the country and in juke joints from South Central L.A. to Harlem, N.Y. Said Charles E. (Eddie) Miller, who presided over qualifying for USGA events for four decades, "I remember it as if it was yesterday. He (Rhodes) was quite a player, quite a swinger of the golf club. He had a huge gallery. And he scared the hell out of some Southerners after that round," a reference to the fact that the top 24 finishers in the U.S. Open received invitations to the Masters. The Rhodes "scare" was short-lived. He shot 76-77-79 the rest of the way to finish at 302, tied for 51st, 26 shots behind Hogan, who won the first of his four U.S. Opens.

Rhodes returned to the less lucrative but friendlier confines of the UGA for the remainder of the season. In August, he posted a 72-hole total of three-over-par 291 at Engineers GC on Long Island to win the inaugural Ray Robinson Open. He won $4,256 in official money that year. (In contrast, Hogan, the Player of the Year on the PGA Tour, won $32,112.) Rhodes conquered his nerves in the twin Tam O'Shanter events in 1949 and had his most impressive performance outside the UGA. First, he tied for 35th in the All-American; then, the following week, he tied for 14th in the World Championship of Golf, thanks in large part to a third-round 69. Said Tam O'Shanter promoter George S. May, "Teddy is a great golfer". All he needs is an opportunity to play in more big-time tournaments." Those opportunities were difficult to come by, but Rhodes rarely complained. Instead, he made the best of those that did come his way.

Rhodes remained a contender on the UGA into the late 1950s, despite failing health due to a kidney ailment that sapped his strength and made playing in four-day tournaments difficult. He beat Sifford by three strokes for the Negro National Open title in '57 and collected two more crowns (The Gotham Open and Progressive GC championship in Peoria, Ill.) the next year. In 1960, he was part of an african-american contingent invited to play in Havana by the Cuban government. By the time the PGA rescinded its caucasian-only clause in November of 1961, Rhodes had retired from competitive golf. He settled into the life of a respected golf instructor, first in St. Louis, then in Chicago. He taught Lee Elder the nuances of wedge play by having the young texan hit hundreds of shots between fairways at Forest Park, a public track in St. Louis. When Althea Gibson made the transition from tennis to golf in the early 1960s, she went to Rhodes for help with her short game. He spent many hours softening her hands and disposition at Cumberland Golf Course in Nashville. While teaching satisfied his need to share, nothing stirred his soul like the thrill of competition. After retirement, he lived vicariously through the careers of Sifford, Pete Brown, Rate Botts, Elder and others. His spirit accompanied them in locker rooms where they were not welcome. His deteriorating health both saddened and inspired them.

source: Uneven Lies, the Heroic Story of African-Americans in Golf

In Uneven Lies, the Heroic Story of African-Americans in Golf Pete McDaniel has written a most interesting chronological history of African-American contributions, participation and interest in the heretofore, white world of golf. this book contains beautiful photographs reflecting the joy we all feel while playing golf. in the past golf was a reflection of our american society complete with all of the racial restrictions present in this major american past-time. This history of blacks in golf will serve as the most needed light that must shine on the dark secret world of "Whites Only" golf. "Uneven Lies" presents another side to this unfortunate period in our sporting history by graphically showing that black people made significant direct and supporting contributions to this wonderful sport even under the stress of racial segregation. "Uneven Lies" takes you from the caddies, The Stanford White Club House at Shinnecock Hills Country Club, in South Hampton, New York, to the UGA, PGA and the LPGA tours. "Uneven Lies" is an exceptional, warm and engaing historic representation of the evolution of golf both socially, as a sport and metaphor for life's trials, tribulations and resolutions. Forward by Tiger Woods. Review from Amazon.com