Chester Washington Golf Course in South Los Angeles opened in 1928, becoming the first integrated golf course in Los Angeles County and an important landmark in golf history and local community access. At a time when many golf courses enforced racial segregation, Chester Washington provided an inclusive space where golfers of all backgrounds could play together.
The course hosted the Gardena Valley Open, a tournament that welcomed Black professional golfers who were often excluded from other competitions. Charlie Sifford, a pioneering Black golfer who became the first Black player to earn full membership on the PGA TOUR, won the Gardena Valley Open three times, enhancing the course’s competitive legacy.
Today, the APGA Tour continues to hold competitions at Chester Washington Golf Course, supporting the ongoing legacy of Black professional golf. The course features a par-70 layout just under 6,300 yards, combining classic parkland holes framed by mature trees with several wider links-style holes where wind and angles present strategic challenges.
The course includes two water hazards and only two par-5 holes, both situated on the back nine, demanding skillful play throughout. Rounds are competitively priced at about $60 with a cart and under $50 to walk, making it widely accessible.
Beyond the fairways, the practice area fosters a distinctive community atmosphere with jazz and neo-soul music playing in the background. Golfers share stories and camaraderie that reflect the course’s nearly century-long identity as a place of access, legacy, competition, and community.
CSB Take
Chester Washington Golf Course stands as a meaningful symbol of progress and inclusion in golf, illustrating how the sport can break barriers and cultivate community. Its history, highlighted by Charlie Sifford’s achievements and the Gardena Valley Open, underscores the role of competition in advancing opportunity. The continued presence of the APGA Tour and a welcoming environment for golfers ensure that Chester Washington remains a vibrant part of Los Angeles golf culture, blending rich heritage with a future of inclusivity.
Source: Original report
