DR. MICHAEL COOPER
Blog: November 2013
“Diversity Leads To Change”
Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist, said: “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” This month’s blog is about a small group of caring individuals who are changing the face of golf through diversity efforts, thus contributing to societal change.
Let me explain…
John Merchant was inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame in March 2010. The ceremony was held in Tampa, FL. John Merchant, now 80 years young, has lived a storied life. His autobiography, A Journey Worth Taking, is the phenomenal story of a young Black family who valued education and service to mankind. He found golf as an adult and got ‘hooked’ on the game, just like the rest of us. He was (is) a career lawyer, and the first legal counsel for Earl and Tiger Woods, back when Tigermania was escalating at warp speed.
In the 1990s, he led the first symposium to discuss diversity and golf, served on the USGA Executive Committee, and rules official in several of golf’s major championships; including the Masters Tournament at Augusta National GC.
Leading up to his induction, and throughout his acceptance speech, John challenged the leaders within the golf industry to honor Black pioneers at golf’s highest level, the World Golf Hall of Fame. He noted that Major League Baseball (and basketball) created separate wings in their respective Halls of Fame for these trailblazers, and publicly suggested the same for golf.
Adam Schupak, then a columnist for Golf Week Magazine, is a longtime acquaintance of Mr. Merchant. He supported John, and his bold article highlighted the induction ceremony and the challenge. A social movement was born, and the cause resonated with at least one influential leader in the golf industry; Steve Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation.
The mission of the World Golf Foundation (WGF) is to “develop and support initiatives that positively impact lives through the game of golf and its traditional values.” Three important golf businesses fall under the 501(c)(3) umbrella of the WGHOF.
They are the World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee, and Golf 20/20. The Board of Directors for the WGF is comprised of the highest ranking executives from the PGA Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, USGA, European Tour, R&A, and Augusta National. This is an influential group, to say the least.
In 2011, the National Black Golf Hall of Fame inducted Joe Barrow, Rose Harper, and Dr. Calvin Sinnette. Steve Mona was the keynote speaker. He publicly accepted the challenge from John Merchant, and announced on stage that the World Golf Hall of Fame would indeed salute Black contributors to the game of golf. There was no time commitment, however, and we have waited since then for an official announcement and action.
On October 30, 2013 Steve Mona (photo left) announced to his Diversity Committee that monies have been secured and a permanent exhibit and story of African Americans in golf will be created at the World Golf Hall of Fame, in St Augustine, FL. Pete McDaniel, famous author of Uneven Lies, has been hired to write the compelling story, and it could be complete as soon as February 2014, to coincide with Black History Month.
No, that won’t solve the national debt or healthcare. It won’t eliminate hunger and cause world peace. What it will do, though, is guarantee the stories of Black pioneers in golf live for decades and generations to follow. These stories are American history, and the timelines for racial inclusion in golf are microcosms for larger, and more pronounced struggles for civil rights.
It took individuals of character, resiliency and tenacity to break through the walls of oppression and discrimination. It’s only right that these champions and pioneers be forever remembered, and their stories told. Thankfully, they will due to the efforts of a small group of committed individuals!
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What are you doing to help bring diversity to golf? Are there things we can do together to accelerate the process? Please contact me to share your thoughts and opinions.
Send Michael a Comment!
ABOUT MICHAEL COOPER, PH.D.
Dr. Michael Cooper is the Assistant Dean and Campus Director at Springfield College-Tampa Bay campus. He can be reached at urbangolf@aol.com and mcooper2@springfieldcollege.edu.
