April 23, 2021 | BY OTIS WINDHAM
Junior golf programs have long been seen as a key strategy to increasing participation in the game of golf. Children who learn the game at an early age have a greater opportunity to excel and enjoy the game for a lifetime.
Golf, as a sport, has enjoyed greater participation from the African American community in recent years. Though there has been an increase in the number of African American players since the beginning of the Tiger Woods era, we are still underrepresented in golf when compared to our participation in other major sports.
Today, though some have progressed to be among the elite few who are able to play golf at a high skill level, many aspiring young golfers have been hampered by limited financial resources and sponsorships needed to make a true run at a professional career in golf.
Though Blacks have long endured discriminatory rules and practices that have kept us out of the game, we are no longer restricted from participating.
This sport provides many benefits to both the professional and the amateur player. At its best, it is advertised as a game that promotes high character among its participants. It requires discipline and attention to detail to play it at a competitive level.
Most players, in all represented categories, will state their lives are better because of their participation. It is an activity in which one can participate throughout their lives barring poor health or injury.
Black golfing membership organizations have been around many years. These were originally formed to allow people of color to play together during times when there were not many venues for Blacks to play or opportunities for them to play. These groups are still around today in larger numbers. Many have evolved and adopted a higher purpose to expose those in the Black community to a game they have loved and enjoyed for many seasons of their lives.
Just as many urban communities suffer from food deserts, lack of restaurants, and other businesses and services that contribute to growth of a community, they have few if any golf facilities.
As the Golf Industry seeks to grow its financial impact, Golf Course facilities, Golf equipment vendors, golf apparel, travel wholesalers, and many others will benefit greatly from an increased level of participation in the sport. Urban communities could be an untapped source of new revenue for these industries.
Golf courses and facilities, unlike some other bsinesses, may not be as negatively affected by location. Players will come to almost any location to play and use first class golfing facilities. These can be as successful when housed in the urban community as they are in other areas.
Many inner city communities are seeking to offer additional positive options for youth. Golf courses and Golf facilities that support youth training programs such as First Tee or “Grass Roots” programs are attractive options.
Real support means For Profit golf facilities allowing junior programs to use their facilities free of charge as a courtesy to the community in exchange for incentives provided to them through the cities and municipalities where they are resident.
Those African American golfing membership organizations that have a mission to grow the game through bringing it to the youth and people in their community are perfect organizations to seek out, create, and mentor urban junior golf programs.
Careers in professions such as Club Professionals, Teaching professionals, golf industry representatives and other related professions are also now open to young African Americans who are proficient and trained in the field.
Deterrents to successful urban junior golf programs have been consistent access to quality golf facilities, consistent program funding, obtaining quality instruction and finding and retaining dedicated administrative personnel, volunteers, and mentors who will help grow and sustain these programs. Access to junior golf training facilities located within the urban community presents a much greater opportunity for these programs to succeed.
Businesses can win by building their golfing facilities in areas where the cost of property is less and local governments are positioned to assist them through financial incentives and other consideration. Through cooperative partnerships with the local community, these businesses can prosper, help do their part to help grow the game of golf and ,through their presence, and help uplift the economy in areas where their businesses reside.
African American membership golfing organizations can be major players in these strategies since most of their memberships include long time golfers who fully understand the benefits one receives from the game. As champions of bringing golf to our community, African American golfing membership organizations realize the most logical place to start, in order to leave a legacy, is in supporting programs that teach our youth the game. These organizations can serve as prime motivators to bring municipalities, business partners and other stakeholders together to help rebuild communities, help solve social issues and help grow the game of golf through teaching our youth.
Through a successful partnership strategy, communities should realize benefits such as complimentary businesses locating near the golf facility which adds to the area’s tax base and social footing, and helps reduce undesirable activity in the communities. An increase in the value of area real estate should also be an expected benefit.
New ideas and approaches can have far reaching benefits for urban communities and the golf industry in general. Bringing together those with a vested interest in seeing the game grow and those who see the value of its associated benefits is a logical approach. Partnerships that include and provide benefit to all stakeholders can offer attractive solutions to help solve persistent problems.
Is a member of the African American Golfer’s Digest Advisory Board and a contributor to the magazine as a freelance writer. He served 10 years as Program Coordinator for Tee-Lo Junior Golf program in Orlando and 5 years as Media Services Manager for Golf Channel. He is a founding member of The Pro Duffers Orlando Chapter and a current member of the Vulcan foundation and The Vulcan Golf Club in Birmingham, Alabama whose mission is to help bring golf to the African American community.
