This month at the PGA Genesis Open, four black Americans – Tiger Woods, Cameron Champ, Harold Varner III, and Tim O’Neal – were in the 144-strong field. It marked the highest number of black American golfers to play in a PGA tour event but it was still far from representative of the demographics of the United States. As Black History Month ends, the Guardian spoke with three black golfers to discuss the progress the sport has made and, more importantly, what it needs to do to continue growing the participation and inclusion of African Americans.
What drew you to golf?
Cheyenne Woods, LPGA Tour player: Every weekend I would be in front of the TV watching Tiger Woods with my golf club in hand. I distinctly remember going to a junior event thinking I had a great idea of wearing black and red, only to find out every other junior golfer thought the same. Tiger was “cool”, and he made golf “cool” to go out and play.
Harold Varner III, PGA Tour player: I loved that you could do it by yourself. It’s not like other sports where you need someone else to be there to compete against, or you need someone throwing the ball to you. With golf, it’s just you and the course.
Mackenzie Mack, professional golfer and LPGA certified instructor: I don’t run very fast and don’t jump very high so golf was a game that I could play and be successful. And golf was a game we played as a family. So trying to beat my sister, Sydnee, who was also a Division 1 scholarship golfer was always fun.
Did the lack of diversity in golf ever discourage you from playing?
CW: No. Growing up, I loved the fact I was usually the only girl in school or only black person at tournaments. I enjoyed the feeling of being different. I have had so many instances over the years of proudly telling people I play golf. I can’t count the amount of times I am then replied to with: “Wow, you don’t look like a golfer”. I’ve continued to grow my love of breaking the mold of what a “golfer” has been.
HV: No, none whatsoever. I didn’t really think about it until I got on the PGA Tour when I was asked about it, and people made me aware of it. But my parents were really supportive, and tried to give me all the opportunity possible to play. I did play in some Bill Dickey tournaments when I was younger, and that was an eye-opener because it was the first time I played with another black kid in a tournament. I remember thinking, “Oh, I’m not the only one.” But we also had Tiger Woods, who was dominating at the time, and not only did people of color look up to him, so did white golfers.
MM: I grew up in an urban junior golf program called Valley View Golf in Las Vegas whose goal was to get minorities involved in the game golf. So, I grew up with other minority golfers at my local facility but when I traveled outside of my local facility, my sister and I were often the only minorities we saw. The lack of diversity never discouraged me from playing the game though because I loved it so much.
How have you seen golf evolve since you started playing?
CW: I have 100% seen golf evolve since I started playing in the mid-90s. I’ve seen the game become more global, more athletic, and more effort put towards increasing diversity. But in order to help continue the evolution of golf, we need to support programs that give communities affordable access to increase the inclusivity of the game. The issue I’ve always seen with golf is that it is not the easiest sport to have access to, and it can be an intimidating environment. Even at a young age, my mom and I did not know about driving ranges so we’d simply go to the neighborhood park and hit balls around in a field. Programs that share not only share knowledge of the sport, but also give access, are crucial. I believe it’s important to not limit these programs to just junior golf. Inclusivity programs should include a range of ages, careers and ethnicities.
HV: It’s ridiculous how expensive golf is and it’s hurting the game. I just don’t see a lot of mini golf courses where they have the same kind of programs that I had when I was growing up, and I think in order for golf to reach more people, we need more programs like that.
MM: I am a testament to how the game has slowly evolved over time. It is an honor to be the fourth African American woman to hold dual membership in the PGA and LPGA. I hope to inspire the next generation to play the game as the ladies before me, did for me.
What challenges have you faced because of the lack of diversity in golf?
CW: The only challenge I’ve found in the lack of diversity in golf, is the weight and responsibility to be one of few representatives of African Americans in golf. Diversity has been an ongoing topic in the sport, however there is still so much room to grow and improve. I hope to continue encouraging the message that golf is not defined by the stereotype it has historically gained.
HV: I’ve never had trouble playing, or had issues playing on a course, or anything like that. I’ve certainly heard stories of older golfers who were denied access, or never got the opportunity to play, but I never had to deal with any type of discrimination on the course.
Are there any programs that you like that help promote diversity in golf ?
CW: One program in particular that played a huge part in my junior golf career was the Desert Mashies, founded by Bill Dickey in Phoenix. It is connected with the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and Bill Dickey Invitation which almost every single black golfer currently on tour has been a part of. It is a unique environment of bringing together the best minority golfers in the country and allowing them to connect and compete. It also creates college scholarship opportunities to those wanting to play at the next level.
HV: I started a foundation called HV3, and we’ll be hosting our first tournament on 23 March. It’s to help kids get exposure and access to golf, because not many kids can go to a golf course and just play golf, and we want to change that.
MM: I have seen golf move in the right direction over the years with initiatives and efforts from The First Tee, PGA, LPGA, We Are Golf, Bill Dickey, Women in Golf Foundation, Fore Life and many many more. But there is still a long way to go.
