DR. MICHAEL COOPER
Blog: February 2012
Be The Change You Want To See
The Mid Winter Golf Classic weekend is set for March 10-11, 2012 in Tampa, Florida and features a 36-hole amateur competition, the Advocates Invitational Pro Tour, and the National Black Golf Hall of Fame dinner and induction.
The weekend has become synonymous with recognizing the contributions of Black pioneers in golf, and social change. There, golf commoners and industry leaders gather, celebrate, and collaborate on matters of diversity and inclusion. The grass roots efforts are gaining momentum, and there are several critical strategies underway for employment opportunities, professional development, and overall awareness. Here’s how you can be a part of the movement….
First, you can participate in the Mid Winter Amateur golf classic, a 36-hole, flighted tournament at Rogers Park Golf Club. It was at Rogers Park that minority golfers gathered and celebrated throughout the 1960s and ’70s. Then, the Mid-Winter Open welcomed professional and amateur golfers of all nationalities, and gave them an opportunity to showcase their talents in a festive environment. The event was an important part of what was affectionately known as the “Chitlin Circuit,” a series of events sponsored by the United Golfers Association, an organization dedicated to African American golfers.
Next, aspiring professionals compete in the Advocates Invitational Pro Tour; with first prize estimated at $6,000. Beginning its third year, the Advocates Pro Tour is designed to identify talented golfers of color, and to ultimately increase the number of Black professionals on the PGA Tour. The pro series is sponsored by the Advocates USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring and generating opportunities for African American individuals and communities.
Third, the National Black Golf Hall of Fame (NBGHPF) celebrates its 26th year with a dinner and induction ceremony on March 10, 2012.
This year, the NBGHF will honor Ann Gregory posthumously, and golf professionals Adrian Stills and Tom Woodard. Congressman James E. Clyburn is the keynote speaker.
Gregory, a pioneering Black female golfer, was the first African-American woman to play in a USGA championship. She nearly won the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur in 1971; eventually finishing in second place. During her career that spanned five decades, Ann Gregory won nearly 300 tournaments.
Adrian Stills is the Director of Golf at Osceola Golf Course, in Pensacola, FL. He is known as a premier golf instructor, and for 25 years had the distinction for being the last Black to qualify for the tour via the PGA Q-School. This distinction ended, of course, in 2010 when young Joseph Bramlett broke through, and earned his players card. Adrian’s professional career included playing the PGA Tour in 1986-1987, two U.S. Open Appearances, 20 Mini-Tour victories and winner of three North Florida PGA Section Events. A graduate of South Carolina State University, Stills continues to teach and reach golfers through his instructions and advocacy.
Tom Woodard is a member of the PGA of America. He qualified for the PGA Tour on two separate occasions, the only Black to twice accomplish the difficult feat. He qualified and competed in two US Open Championships, and in the 1991 PGA Championship, where he qualified as a club pro. Known as an accomplished businessman, Tom spent 10 years as Director of Golf Operations for eight golf courses in the Denver, CO community. He is attributed for establishing The First Tee in the State of Colorado, and founded and served on the Board of Directors in Denver, his home town.
Finally, two important meetings are scheduled during the weekend. One will discuss plans to create an exhibit commemorating the contributions of African American golfers and pioneers. This exhibit will be proudly displayed at the World Golf Hall of Fame, in St Augustine, FL. The second meeting will establish inclusion strategies for more employment and competitive play opportunities, plus increasing female and minority recreational play.
Please share your thoughts by contacting me at urbangolf@aol.com, and stay tuned for future blogs.
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ABOUT MICHAEL COOPER, PH.D.
Dr. Michael Cooper is the Director of Southeast Region Affairs for The First Tee. He also teaches Social Change and Leadership at Springfield College – Tampa, FL campus.
