Chester Washington Golf Course
In 1955, when Maggie Hathaway, an African-American social activist, applied for membership to the course’s Women’s Golf Club. The Caucasian-only group denied her application and Hathaway brought up the matter with Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. Hathaway argued that the association was not allowed to discriminate based on race when practicing on County-owned land, which she and other minorities paid taxes to help maintain. Hahn agreed, and the group was expelled from the golf course. He extended the ban throughout the County, forcing all-white golf groups to diversify and admit people of color. Sixty-five years later Chester Washington Golf Course became the only historical landmark in Los Angeles County’s golf portfolio because of these and other inspiring events that took place on the property.
In addition to leading the way in integrating the County system, Chester Washington also boasts as the home course of Dr. Charlie Sifford. One of the first two African-American Golfers to play in a PGA tournament. The portion of 120thstreet that the property rests has been renamed Charlie Sifford drive in his honor.
