DR. MICHAEL COOPER
March 2014
“Where The Pros Play”
On the weekend of March 15-16, 2014 the PGA Tour plays the legendary Copperhead Golf Course, at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, FL. Innisbrook joins a list of five-star golf properties owned (or managed) by Dr. Sheila Johnson, well known African American entrepreneur. I, for one, could not be prouder of her accomplishments in an industry not known for ethnic or gender diversity.
Approximately 40 minutes east of Innisbrook Resort is Rogers Park Golf Course, legendary for its part of African American golf history. Since 1952 Rogers Park has been a destination for golfers of all colors, and particularly African Americans. It is not a five-star resort like Innisbrook, but a municipality. Still, it adequately serves its purpose for championship golf, at an affordable price. Rogers Park will host the fifth annual Advocates Invitational Pro Tour on the same weekend as the more prestigious PGA Tour event. Marcus Manley, who grew up playing Langston GC in Washington DC, is expected to defend his championship. Last March he carded four under par 138 in windy conditions, and earned $7,500 for the victory.
The Advocates Pro Tour is sponsored by the Advocates USA. I am proud to be a member! Established in 2004, the Advocates USA is comprised of African American men from across the country that came together because of their love for the game of golf and helping young people be the best they can be. Since the inception, the Advocates have mentored more than 1,000 young people, donated $350,000 to community organizations, disbursed over $200,000 in prize monies to Advocates Pro Tour competitors, and provided $100,000 in college scholarships. The tag line for the group is “making a difference,” and we definitely are!
The Rogers Park event has been extremely popular over the years. First, many veteran golfers of color deemed it a reenactment of the Mid-Winter Classic, a longtime regular stop for the old United Golf Association (UGA) tour. Second, for the collection of young and talented professional golfers from around the country. Third, National Black Golf Hall of Fame members join the young guns for a weekend of camaraderie, nostalgia, spirited competition, and fun.
James Black, the legend and a personal friend, typically conducts an exhibition and youth clinic. He has been joined at times by Calvin Peete, who should be inducted one day into the World Golf Hall of Fame, in my opinion. Veterans Jim Dent, Bobby Stroble, Tom Woodard, and Adrian Stills still compete, and take their shots against the younger pros. Charlie Owens, now older and playing less these days, lives in Tampa and is always present throughout the weekend. Charlie Owens invented the long putter while he was the Head Golf Pro at Rogers Park. Prominent National Black Hall of Famers Renee Powell, Lew Horne, John Merchant, and Pete McDaniel typically visit Tampa during that time, too, to lend support and root for the next tour hopeful.
So, who is the next African American star to rise to PGA Tour status? Joseph Bramlett? He was close a couple of years ago. Harold Varner qualified for the web.com tour (as did Tony Funai), and played all four rounds at the recent Northern Trust Open. Many think he has the game and temperament to break through. Perhaps Tim O’Neal will do it. Tim has played great the past two years on the Latin American Tour, and is a past champion and player of the year on the Advocates Pro Tour. The Wooding brothers, Joshua and Jeremiah, continue to shine, as does Vincent Johnson, George Bradford, Christian Heavens, Willie Mack, and others.
Meanwhile, if you are looking to find the best talented, young (and not so young) Black professional golfers at one location, the Advocates Invitational Pro Tour events are the place to be. Hope to see you there!
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ABOUT MICHAEL COOPER, PH.D.
Dr. Michael W. Cooper is the Campus Director for Springfield College-Tampa Bay campus. He is also the former Director of Diversity for the World Golf Foundation and Southeast Regional Director for The First Tee. Contact him at mcooper2@springfieldcollege.edu.
