Recently, a diversity and inclusion report was done for the golf industry, reporting female and minority participation rates in recreational and competitive play, plus workforce diversity. Diverse participation rates in recreational play, and those competing competitively hasn’t changed much since 2003, when the first report of this kind was completed. It might surprise you, though, that diversity in the workforce seems to be regressing, and the recent survey revealed that 90% of those employed within the golf industry were males, and 88% of them were white. The sample size for this survey was over 60,000 people.
Photo: (l-r) Earnie Ellison, Charles Sifford, Jr, and Ian Baxter, Executive Director for The First Tee of Tampa Bay.
In the report, eight recommendations were made to help increase gender and ethnic diversity and inclusion in golf. Identifying, engaging, and listening to those already involved in grass roots efforts was embedded in three of the recommendations. I serve as a board member for two groups that I consider grass roots organizations determined to make a difference, and who work diligently to help bring awareness and greater diversity to golf. These two organizations are the Advocates Pro Tour and the National Black Golf Hall of Fame.
You probably know by now that Christian Heavens recently won the first 2016 Advocates Pro Tour event at Rogers Park GC, in Tampa, FL. He was 13 under par for two rounds, and finished one shot ahead of Kevin Hall to win the title, and the $7500 first place monies. What you might not know is that a diversity roundtable discussion preceded tournament play, and approximately 50 people attended to talk about the lack of diversity and inclusion in golf, and what should be done to increase participation. Two of the primary objectives for hosting the diversity roundtable discussion were to collect the thoughts of those passionate about the topic, particularly the ones working at the grass roots levels, and to share their thoughts with the leaders in the golf industry. I had the honor to facilitate the Tampa session, and both objectives were accomplished.
Photo: (l-r) Tampa teaching pro Billy Parker, Brad Janss, The First Tee of Tampa Bay board member, and Deanna Molina with the USGA
Some traveled hundreds of miles to take part in the Tampa diversity discussions, including a representative from the USGA, World Golf Foundation, fellow Advocates Pro Tour board members, and several from the Golf 20/20 Diversity Task Force. Earnie Ellison was there, as was Scott Walker, Charles Sifford, Jr., and author Ramona Harriet.
There were reps from The First Tee of Tampa Bay, National Black Golf Hall of Fame, Pope & Associates (trainers for diversity and inclusion), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Diversi-TEE initiative, and upstart programs like Women of Color, and Golf-My Future-My Game. Several players from the Advocates Pro Tour participated, too, as did some of their parents. One very special participant was Lee Elder, the first black to play in the Masters, at Augusta National CC…way back in 1975.
When asked if he thought we’d still be having conversations about diversity in golf, some 40 years after his historic breakthrough at the Masters, Mr. Elder pondered a moment, and then said: “No, I didn’t think we’d still be talking about this now. I thought we’d have long moved beyond a lack of diversity in the sport.”
Photo: (l-r) Michael Cooper and Lee Elder
These conversations will continue, with the next diversity roundtable discussion scheduled for the weekend of May 20-22, 2016, in Atlanta. That’s the weekend for the second 2016 Advocates Pro Tour event, and the 30th anniversary for the National Black Golf Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony. Your participation is requested. Please check the respective websites for details, or contact me directly if you have any questions.
Send Michael a Comment!
ABOUT MICHAEL COOPER, PH.D. Dr. Michael W. Cooper is the former Director of Diversity for the World Golf Foundation/The First Tee and past Assistant Dean/Campus Director for Springfield College-Tampa Bay campus. Contact him at mcooper2@springfieldcollege.edu
