(March 9, 2020)
As I checked my social media platforms this past Sunday morning, I was stunned and saddened to read Susan Merchant’s post that her father, John, had passed away. John Merchant was an important ambassador and pioneer for diversity and inclusion in golf. He was also my friend and mentor. I could count on him for candid, constructive criticism, or praise when due. He inspired me by sharing stories of his incredible life journey.
Our Facebook family responded to the sudden news of Merchant’s death. There were hundreds of friends sharing fond memories and past pictures with John Merchant. Golf industry leaders responded with some nice tributes too. John received deserved accolades through articles from Golf Digest and Golf Week. The United States Golf Association (USGA) made a nice public statement through an online article, and Debert Cook did her normal great job with the African American Golfer’s Digest. Each article highlighted Merchant’s pioneering approach to diversity and inclusion, dating back to 1992.
Then I awakened on Monday morning, one day later, to a global golf post announcing the major tours signing a new television contract, reportedly in the area of $400 million per year. One week prior to this announcement, another online publication reported gross revenues of $216 million last year for another industry giant; although the article was quick to point out that profits for the fiscal year were much less…perhaps as low as a paltry $70 million.
As I mourn the death of my friend John Merchant, I am perplexed by the strange dichotomy from these announcements. It baffles me that we are still fighting the same diversity and inclusion battles John Merchant championed 28 years ago, while golf industry leaders command (and receive) such abundant amounts of attention and monies.
If current data are correct, then the $84 billion golf industry will get a sudden financial boost byway of these recent financial announcements. That boost, while blacks are less than 3% of golf’s workplace, and overall minorities less than 15%. The percentages are even less for supplier diversity, as there are few contracts awarded to minority vendors.
Golf certainly considers our contributions to the often-used phrase of fan appeal (spectators), not to mention consumers. So, we watch golf and spend hard-earned money, are we asking too much for inclusion as employees and vendors too? Of course not. And a fair question to hold golf leaders accountable, is how much longer will it take for this leveling of the playing field to occur?
The news of John Merchant’s death was emotional for me. It brought back vivid memories of time spent with him and other advocates such as Bill Dickey, Barbara Douglas, and Lew Horne. On Sunday, I shared a post with the four of them pictured. Because of them we can’t stop fighting for our rightful place in the golf industry. Many in our network echoed those sentiments, which has inspired me to intensify diversity and inclusion efforts. We must finish this work for John Merchant, and the other brave pioneers before and after him.
ABOUT MICHAEL COOPER, PH.D.
Dr. Michael W. Cooper is Chair of the We Are Golf Diversity Task Force, 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.
