Ann Gregory was an American amateur golfer who was born on July 25, 1912, in Aberdeen, Mississippi and died on February 10, 1990, in Gary, Indiana. She was one of the most successful African American female golfers of her time and broke down racial barriers in the sport.
Ann Gregory started playing golf in the 1930s when segregation and discrimination were rampant in the United States. She was denied entry into many tournaments because of her race, but she persisted and eventually found success in the sport. In 1956, she won the United Golf Association’s National Women’s Open, which was the most prestigious tournament for African American women golfers at the time. She also won the Indiana Women’s Amateur Championship six times and was a four-time winner of the Women’s Western Golf Association Championship.
Gregory was inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame in 2002. She also received the PGA of America’s Distinguished Service Award in 1990. In addition to her accomplishments on the golf course, Gregory was also a teacher and served as a mentor to many young African American golfers.
Overall, Ann Gregory was a trailblazer for African American women in golf, and her perseverance and talent paved the way for future generations of golfers.