A trailblazer on and off the course
Howard 'Howie' Pierson left a deep mark in Rockland County through his roles as an athlete, teacher, and golfer. Earning 13 letters in four sports during his high school years at Tappan Zee, he graduated in 1954 with a reputation as a standout. After enrolling at Manhattan College, Pierson first played basketball and helped lead the team to a Metropolitan Conference title in 1957. The following year, he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, making history as one of the first African-Americans on the team's roster.
After a brief stint in the Phillies' system, he served in the U.S. Army for two years before returning to Rockland County. His work in education and coaching began at Tappan Zee High School, where he taught science and coached a range of sports. In 1965, he moved to Rockland Community College, where he continued to teach and coach, ultimately serving as athletic director from 1972 to 1997. During his time there, the golf program flourished, earning 21 Mid-Hudson Conference championships from 1974 to 2010.
Breaking barriers in golf
Pierson’s journey to golf in the 1960s began at Broadacres in Orangeburg, New York. There, he played casual games with older golfers, learning the nuances of the game. Within just a few years, his skills improved so much that he earned scratch status. His crowning achievement came in 1980 when he won the Met Amateur Championship at The Stanwich Club, defeating George Zahringer III. This victory was not just a personal triumph but also a milestone in MGA history, as Pierson became the first African American to win a major MGA title.
Pierson’s golf career extended well beyond this landmark victory. He qualified for the U.S. His contributions to the sport earned him recognition in multiple Hall of Fame inductions, including those at Manhattan College, Rockland County, Rockland Community College, and Tappan Zee High School.
In a feature published in the April/May 2021 issue of The Met Golfer, Pierson described his unique practice routine with his son, Patrick. At Broadacres, Howie would hit balls into the fairway, and Patrick, using a baseball glove, would catch them as they flew in high and soft. For faster shots, Patrick would stop them on the bounce, echoing the way Howie had once stopped baseballs in the 1950s. This method not only saved time but also maximized their practice sessions, reflecting Pierson’s commitment to efficiency and excellence in learning and teaching the game.
A father-son legacy
Patrick Pierson followed in his father’s footsteps, taking up golf in the 1990s after playing college basketball. Like Howie, he quickly established himself in the sport, relying solely on his father’s coaching. Their relationship extended beyond traditional teaching, as Howie developed an intuitive understanding of Patrick’s swing. Patrick once noted that he could call his father with a problem and receive immediate advice, often without needing a visual demonstration.
Patrick shared in the same 2021 feature that growing up as a person of color in the 1970s and 1980s, golf wasn’t a common pursuit. “But when Tiger came around all my friends wanted to play golf.” This shift in interest, fueled by Tiger Woods, helped break down some of the social barriers that had long surrounded the sport.
Beyond the 1980 Met Amateur win, Pierson added several other major titles to his name, including victories in the New Jersey Four-Ball twice, the Bergen Open, and the Woodstock Open. He also earned the medalist position in qualifying for the 1972 U.S. Amateur, proving his consistency and skill across multiple formats of the game. His career reflected a blend of natural talent, hard work, and a deep understanding of the sport that inspired generations, including his own son.