Jay Karen
Chief Executive Officer
National Golf Course Owners Association
291 Seven Farms Drive, 2nd Floor
Charleston, SC 29492
October 7, 2021
Dear Jay,
My compliments to you and NGCOA for having the courage and foresight to host the “Lead Golf Together Summit” held recently in Charleston, SC. The purpose was specifically to review the challenges facing African Americans and all people of color to join the “C” Suites and Boards of Directors of golf’s major organizations and associations. You presented the audience with knowledgeable speakers from the business, academic and political communities. You set the tone for the conference with your inspiring words by sharing your background and the experiences that led you to this effort including the article I wrote, ”We Are Not Golf Yet”.
You entrusted Michael Williams to guide and moderate those discussions and he did a superb job. Jay, you have established a new benchmark for an industry grappling with DE and I issues.
You acknowledged the need to have the voices of African Americans and all people of color involved and heard at the highest levels of this $84 Billion industry.
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You acknowledged that African Americans and people of color occupy less that 3% of C Suite and Board positions in this multibillion industry is not good enough.
You have made strides in fulfilling the NGCOA beliefs as boldly stated on your website that
“golf should look like America”: diverse and dynamic. To that end, we are committed to offering information, ideas, resources and initiatives that move the industry—especially the business of golf and golf course ownership—toward a more equitable and inclusive sport.
My Man!
Jay, I hope and pray the industry takes note of the leadership displayed by you and NGCOA by in fact recruiting African Americans and all people of color to more fully participate in this great industry and to help Golf Look Like America.
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It is also important to note that the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council to address these and other job and career issues facing the golf industry. I applaud the leadership of their CEO, Rhett Evans, Board President, Mark Jordan and Board Vice President, Kevin Breen in leading the GCSAA efforts. These gentlemen attended the Summit continuing to demonstrate their commitment.
Jay, continue to talk with your fellow CEO’s and other colleagues in urging them to move to action. Admittedly, more intentional action is needed but you have taken an important step in acknowledging the situation. Now is time to remedy the matter.
I stand ready to assist you in any manner I can. Call upon me anytime as we collectively meet these and other challenges.
Yours In Golf My Friend
Jim Beatty
President, Jim Beatty Golf Ventures
Executive Editor, African American Golfer’s Digest
