Advocate Works to Honor Champion Caddies with Headstones

Former African American caddies who shaped golf history lie in unmarked graves at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:55pm

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An extremely blurred, impressionistic photograph of an old, weathered headstone in a lush, green cemetery, with soft, warm light filtering through the trees, conveying a sense of reverence and the passage of time.This gentle, abstracted image captures the quiet dignity and historical significance of restoring headstones for long-overlooked African American champion caddies.Augusta Today

Joyce Law, a historical scholar, is working to restore dignity and recognition to the graves of former African American champion caddies John Henry Williams, Fred Searles, and Frank Ware, who are buried in unmarked graves at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Augusta, Georgia. Law realized the graves were unmarked after a headstone was installed for Willie Peterson, who caddied for Jack Nicklaus during five of his six Masters championships.

Why it matters

Unmarked graves are a common issue in African American cemeteries due to historical events like the Great Depression and the Great Migration. Providing headstones for these champion caddies will help preserve their legacy and tell the story of their contributions to golf history.

The details

Law is leading the effort to raise funds to purchase and install headstones for the three caddies, which will cost around $3,000 each. Two of the headstones will also include the names of the caddies' wives, who are buried beside them. The Augusta Recreation and Parks Department, which maintains the cemetery, is assisting with the project.

  • In April 2026, as golf week ends and patrons head to the Augusta Regional Airport, Law is working to honor the champion caddies.

The players

Joyce Law

A historical scholar working to restore dignity and recognition to the graves of former African American champion caddies at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

John Henry Williams

A former African American champion caddie whose grave at Cedar Grove Cemetery is currently unmarked.

Fred Searles

A former African American champion caddie whose grave at Cedar Grove Cemetery is currently unmarked.

Frank Ware

A former African American champion caddie whose grave at Cedar Grove Cemetery is currently unmarked.

Willie Peterson

A former African American caddie who caddied for Jack Nicklaus during five of his six Masters championships. Nicklaus donated money to ensure Peterson received a headstone.

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What they’re saying

“Being able to restore the dignity and the correctness of the names of the champion caddies, I really consider the peak of my work as a historical scholar.”

— Joyce Law, Historical Scholar

“Head stones are able to speak to us and tell the story after everyone else of that generation is gone.”

— Joyce Law, Historical Scholar

“To see the joy of the family members and the community when they are also to better understand the story of the caddies.”

— Joyce Law, Historical Scholar

What’s next

Those who want to learn more or donate can reach out to Augusta's Recreation and Parks Department, which maintains the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

The takeaway

This effort to honor the legacy of African American champion caddies who shaped golf history highlights the importance of preserving the stories and contributions of marginalized communities, even when their graves have been left unmarked for decades.