(L-R) Steve Mona, Executive Director of WE ARE GOLF and Michael Cooper.
(February 6, 2020) — From July to December 2019, I was part of a nine-person strategic planning committee for the World Golf Foundation (WGF). The WGF manages WE ARE GOLF, an important coalition of over 50 golf organizations dedicated to advancing the industry. The planning sessions were led by Greg McLaughlin, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, and Steve Mona, Executive Director of WE ARE GOLF. In the end, the group recommended structural and operational changes for the WGF. These changes are still under review by the Board of Directors, but an update of the plan was presented at the recent PGA Merchandise Show, in Orlando.
At the first planning meeting in July 2019, the golf industry was described as a fragmented collection of nearly 100 independent organizations and agencies (i.e. PGA, USGA, etc). This fragmentation creates complexities that make golf different than sport industries such as tennis, Major League Baseball, NFL, and others, who have one primary governing organization and a centralized approach. Currently, the fragmentation, complexities and challenges in golf are limiting growth and sustainability.
With guidance from an outside facilitator, the planning group acknowledged that WE ARE GOLF was trying to do too much, with too little resources. Therefore, one of the first recommendations was to streamline activities and focus on initiatives that would have the most impact on growing participation in the game.
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) emerged as one of the areas of focus, along with federal/state advocacy, and growth of the game initiatives. It was further recommended that each area of focus be appropriately staffed and funded. Steve Mona and WE ARE GOLF will oversee operations, with governance by the WGF Board of Directors. I will continue my involvement with D&I efforts, to which I am honored and grateful. All great news, but what does it mean?
It means the current D&I efforts of the World Golf Foundation and WE ARE GOLF will be consolidated and galvanized to accelerate impact across the industry. That includes the Diversity, Women, and Millennial Task Forces, as well as programs for the disabled. It also means we actively recruit volunteer leadership committee members and shift into fundraising mode.
WE ARE GOLF can and will make a difference, but it needs each of the 50+ organizations within the coalition to play along. All must be committed to increasing D&I, not only for their individual needs, but for the good of the game, and its industry. Community-based leaders must be included, too, and the ones who participated in the Diversity Roundtable at the 2020 PGA Show validated they are willing, able, and ready to be part of solutions. Email me at mcooper2@springfieldcollege.edu, and join the movement!
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.
