According to two of Hughes’ children, Shirley Hughes and Solomon Hughes, Jr., their father urged Hiawatha Golf Course to open its doors to African American golfers. In 1948 the course changed its guidelines and allowed black golfers to enter and use all facilities in the clubhouse.
“I remember vividly hearing that they couldn’t come to the clubhouse,” said Shirley Hughes. “I vividly remember him telling me this story about how they couldn’t get into the clubhouse at all, and finally I think he was just sick of it.”
From then on, after Solomon Hughes Sr. won many times on the all-black UGA Tour, he turned to breaking down racial barriers on the all-white PGA Tour. He applied to play at the PGA’s St. Paul Open but was turned down for three years. Then, in 1952, the St. Paul Open decided to offer invitations to Hughes and Ted Rhodes, making them the first African American golfers to attend a PGA-sponsored event in Minnesota.
“I consider him a civil rights pioneer because of the things he has been through and achieved,” said Solomon Hughes, Jr. “But we as a family never heard him complain, and he was never bitter about any of the things he endured.”
Eventually Solomon Hughes Sr. became a professional club member at Hiawatha Golf Course and continued to teach many young golfers.
He died in 1987 at the age of 78.
Next Wednesday, July 21st, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is expected to approve the naming of the Hiawatha clubhouse after Solomon Hughes Sr. in honor of his legacy.
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