 Dr.
James Navarro Wardell
1989 Greater Flint
Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: GOLF
Wife: Muriel McClendon Wardell
Daughter: Paula Renee Wardell
Son: James McClendon Wardell
When James Wardell came to Flint in 1941, history was in the making.
When Jim entered Flint Northern and wanted to participate on the golf
team, he didn't receive very much encouragement. He did, however, raise
some eyebrows and in 1946 Jim became the first black golfer in the
history of Flint high schools and Saginaw Valley. For three years (1946,
47, 48) at Northern he recorded a number of records. He won medalist
honors in golf matches, he was the first black captain of a golf team,
and the most valuable player for those three years.
Because there were no scholarships available in golf for blacks, Jim
enrolled at Flint Junior College (Mott Community College). In 1950,
Flint Junior College was Conference Champions and runner-up in 1951.
In 1947, Dr. Wardell was runner-up in the Flint Jr. Golf Association
Tournament and that same year he participated in the Negro National
Tournament in Detroit.
In 1948 he just missed being named to the Flint team to represent
Flint in the State Jr. Chamber of Commerce Tournament.
A lover of golf, James was extremely proud of his accomplishments
at Northern and in city and area tournaments. He never golfed in a
flamboyant style. Therefore, many did not know how great he was.
James continued to pursue his education at Wayne State University
and later at Meharry Medical College where he received his degree.
He is now a practicing gynecologist.
For 1989 Inductees Only: Back | Forward
<< Hall of Fame Home
|
fpl.info