Don’t miss this powerful WUSF interview that brings the history of Tampa’s Rogers Park Golf Course and the legacy of Black golfers in Tampa vividly to life through the voices of those who know it best. During the 4:35 segment listeners will hear from Michael Cooper, former Diversity Director for the World Golf Association, who offers insight into the course’s national significance; Lionel Ballard, co-author of Rogers Park Golf Course: 18 Holes of History, who shares decades of research and personal connection; Joseph Bell, a longtime local resident whose memories reflect the spirit of the community; and Eric Goldman, a proud Tampa native whose perspective ties past struggles to present progress. Their reflections reveal how Rogers Park became more than just a golf course—it became a symbol of unity, perseverance, and pride for generations of African Americans in Tampa. Tune in and listen to these moving stories of heritage, hope, and the lasting impact of a place built by and for the community.
Rogers Park Golf Course in Tampa stands as a proud symbol of African American resilience, community, and achievement. Born from segregation’s limitations, the course was developed on land donated in the late 1940s by Garfield Devoe Rogers, a Black entrepreneur determined to create a recreational haven for his community. What began as a few handmade holes crafted by local caddies—including the legendary Willie Black—evolved into a full nine-hole course by 1951 and eventually 18 holes by 1961.
For generations, Rogers Park has been far more than a golf course. It has served as a gathering place, a youth training ground, and a monument to perseverance. Figures like Lionel Ballard have worked tirelessly to preserve its legacy—interviewing elders, gathering maps and memories, and embedding QR codes around the clubhouse so visitors can hear the voices that built its history.
Through programs like Urban Junior Golf and its partnership with First Tee, countless young people have discovered both golf and life skills at Rogers Park. Golfers such as Jim Dent and Charlie Owens mentored the next generation there, showing that excellence could flourish even amid adversity.
Today, Rogers Park continues to welcome everyone while honoring its deep Black heritage. It remains sacred ground—a living classroom of courage, determination, and pride.
Want to hear the voices behind this history?
Tune in to the full WUSF interview to experience firsthand the stories of those who built, played, and preserved Rogers Park Golf Course. Their memories bring to life a powerful legacy of community and triumph that still inspires Tampa and beyond.
