Henry Thomas
Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame
Golf Contributor, 1925-93
Inducted: 1977
A golf pro starting in 1925 at the age of 16 at Colonial Country Club in Harahan, Francis Henry Thomas became the head golf pro at City Park in 1933 and remained there until 1987, when he moved on to Plantation Golf Course on the west bank. He was instrumental in reviving the New Orleans Open as a PGA Tour stop and was a two-time chairman of the organization. He also served as president of the International Golf Sponsors Association. A graduate of Warren Easton High School, he also was instrumental in the formation of the Italian Open. For all of his contributions to the sport, he was known as "Mr. Golf" in the city.
According to Nola.com, one of his major accomplishments was introducing thousands of young golfers to the sport. Beginning in the 1930s, he organized free weekly lessons and clinics for children, which continued for decades. “Anyone can learn to play golf, to play a decent game," he said in a 1999 Times-Picayune article.
"He was the mentor of so many people that played golf as kids at City Park," said Mike Rodrigue, chairman of Fore!Kids Foundation in 1999. "That was really important to him. He saw so many generations of golfers come through his door."
In 1999, Golf Drive in City Park was renamed in Thomas’ honor. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 94.
