User:Ahebra/Joseph Bartholomew (golf course designer)

Joseph M. Bartholomew (August 1, 1885-October 12, 1971) was an American golfer and golf course designer.

Early Career
Bartholomew was born New Orleans, Louisiana. At the age of seven, he began working as a caddie at the Audubon Golf Course and eventually became a greenskeeper at the course in adulthood. He then became an assistant to professional golfer Fred McLeod, where he learned how to build golf clubs. His experience as an assistant and caddie allowed him to mimic and learn the swings of the players he worked for and eventually became experienced enough to teach golfing lessons.

Career
He was the first African American man to ever build a public golf course, even though he was often barred from playing on these fields due to segregation. His first construction project was for the Metairie Golf Club. After spending time in New York learning about golf course architecture, he began construction of the Louisiana course in 1922. For the next ten years, Bartholomew designed and built several courses across Louisiana, including City Park No. 1 and City Park No. 2

Bartholomew, although he designed, maintained, and taught at several golf courses in New Orleans, was unable to play at many due to his race. Because of this, he designed and built a seven hole course on his own land and created the first private golf club that allowed African Americans in New Orleans. In addition, he constructed the Pontchartrain Park, which was Louisiana's first municipal golf course African Americans were allowed to play on. Despite the challenges and racial intolerance he faced, he was able to build a successful business. He also maintained his own construction company and expanded his business into landscaping.

Bartholomew was known for his beautiful and well designed courses, due to his work ethic and knowledge gained from working with Seth Raynor, a well known golf course architect. Bartholomew built courses around New Orleans that are still well known today, and has been able to impact the lives of many people though his work. His courses created jobs for people in his city, and made beautiful spaces that many enjoy for their beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.

Awards and Acclamations
Bartholomew was the first African-American inducted to the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame. He was also featured in Sports Illustrated for his work as a golf course architect.

In 1979, the Pontchartrain Park golf course was renamed to the Joseph M. Bartholomew, Sr. Municipal Golf Course to honor the designer and the challenges he faced. A statue of Bartholomew was also erected on the course.

The New York Times featured Bartholomew in the "Overlooked No More" series, which was created to respect women and minorities who were not included in obituaries by the newspaper.

After designing and building the Metairie Golf Club, he was named the club's first professional. Despite this, he was only able to visit the club and was prohibited from playing a round of golf.

Late Life
Having amassed a sizable wealth from his company's success, Bartholomew also earned income from real estate investments, which allowed him to become a major contributor to Dillard and Xavier Universities. He also became a regular donor to many institutions, mainly those focused on education, around the New Orleans area, including the Boy Scouts and Saint James A.M.E.

Bartholomew passed away in his home on Canal street on October 12, 1971 due to a stroke.