January 9, 2021 | Opinion Article by Kelley Pierre
On January 6, 2021, the world witnessed a domestic terrorist event on American soil that will be remembered for years to come. Images of insurrectionists storming the Capitol, destroying Federal property, and having armed standoffs with police in the same chambers that Congress deliberates left Americans shocked and angered, while casting a collective blanket of shame on the entire United States. While some of these images may induce funny memes now, they will most likely not age well. January 6th and the absurdity of the day’s events will sadly be etched in American history forever.
Hypocrisy and American racial double standards were on full display on January 6. While the world witnessed Black Lives Matter protests being repeatedly suppressed in the summer and fall of 2020, on January 6, law enforcement did the bare minimum to prevent a takeover of the Capitol. The events of January 6 were unique because they were a threat to our homeland security and the United States Capitol. At the core of this was President Donald J. Trump.
The next day following the domestic terrorist attack, Trump issued 3 Presidential Medals of Freedom to golfers. One of them was Gary Player who I am truly disappointed in because he grew up in Apartheid South Africa and should know better. Gary Player once accepted apartheid rule and then later denounced it. Gary Player knew first hand the horrors of discrimination and the importance of white allies in opposition to oppression.
Player knew and even helped Papwa Sewgolum who was a great South African golfer but was discriminated against by the South African government because of the color of his skin. During Trump’s term the FBI reports that hate inspired murders, mostly committed by white supremacists is at its highest number in 28 years[1]. Again, a day after a noose hung in the Nation’s Capitol.
Why am I speaking on this? How does this relate to golf and the PGA? Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey, is the golf course named that will play host to the 2022 PGA Championship. I’m hoping the PGA of America will take swift action on this, and consider hosting the tournament elsewhere. This action, or inaction, will set the precedent for the future of golf.
This decision or lack thereof brings to mind the first USGA President, Theodore Havemeyer who was on the right side of history when he permitted a man by the name of John Shippen to play in the second US Open. This was after threats from other players saying that they would withdraw because Shippen was black, and accompanied by Oscar Bunn, a Shinnecock Indian. Havemeyer made the right choice despite the threats and let them play in the tournament; making John Shippen the first BIPOC, American born professional golfer to compete in a US Open. Despite the threats, PGA of America, (i.e. being sued) should be on the right side of history.
I reached out to the former PGA of America Senior Director of Diversity & Multicultural Initiatives, Wendell Haskins attempting to see what he thinks and asked some questions on the impact of the PGA’s action, or inaction, in the coming weeks:
How do you think golf history will reflect on its relationship with Donald Trump after the incident of January 6th?
“I think it will depend on who you ask, who’s interpretations you value and where you get your information from. This election has shown how divided a country America is, and how millions of people subscribe to completely different ideals,” said Haskins. “The golf industry has long been run by a white Protestant ruling class that has dictated the tone, tenor and value system of the sport and industry. If you consider them to be your reliable standard of golf and ask for their interpretations after January 6, they will say that golf is bigger than Donald Trump and that golf is still a game for all people, and he is just another person who happens to play it but he isn’t synonymous with the game and it’s values.”
Haskins continued by saying, “I think if you ask an informed, critical thinker and someone who is extremely knowledgeable, they will tell you they are disappointed in not just how golf responded after January 6, but how it didn’t respond in the years prior leading up to January 6. The industry supported Donald Trump — and some of the golf industry leaders still do — despite his history of a toxic mix of misogyny, bigotry, extreme narcissism, xenophobia and racism that should have deterred them from ever doing business with him. And it is shameful that it took an extreme act of an incited coup d’etat for the PGA to finally consider to disavow and distance themselves from him.”
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I asked Haskins, Do you feel that true diversity can happen within the game of golf?
“True diversity is about an equitable balance of power, influence, opportunity, resources and money. I just don’t see the golf industry leadership having the commitment or desire to fairly distribute those key components to achieve more balance.”
How has the Trump presidency affected the way that the game is now perceived?
“Trump’s Presidency has further enforced that golf is a rich, white man’s game. His attitude towards golf and the governing bodies association with him only reinforced what Trump stands for: aristocracy, elitism and exclusivity. It’s also unfortunate that Trump openly criticized Obama for playing golf and made that a negative connotation, saying if he were President he’d be so busy working for the American people that he would probably hardly ever play golf, and then went on to play more rounds of golf than any other President in history. Golf as Trump’s favorite pastime will leave an indelible bad impression in the minds of the masses, with the exception of his supporters and the more fortunate.”
What efforts can major golf organizations do to foster a culture of inclusion?
Haskins believes, “Golf organizations can hire more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color), and diversify their executive leadership positions. They can invest in initiatives, organizations, events and people that are already doing the work so they can grow and flourish. Things like the Original Tee Golf Classic, The Bill Dickey Scholarship Association, the Advocates Pro Golfer’s Tour, and the things Andy Walker and Cameron Champ are doing for starters. They can do a better job marketing the game to people of color and hire people as employees or consultants who can help them do it. I have some recommendations but I receive compensation for my consulting services.”
What message is the PGA sending by having the 2022 PGA Championship at a Trump golf course? Haskins says:
“It’s unfortunate that the PGA didn’t pull this tournament from Trump when they pulled the Grand Slam from him in 2015 over his terrible comments about Mexicans and disrespectfully grabbing women. It’s too bad that they allowed the relationship to continue and have allowed themselves to be in this situation but, if they still conduct the tournament at Trump in 2022, it sends a message that they are more beholden to their relationship with power than they are to their purpose of serving their members and growing the game with clear standards, integrity and with an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. Supporting Trump would align the PGA of America with Trump’s values.”
Do you find it reasonable that the PGA can host the 2022 PGA Championship at another golf course given logistics and operations? Haskins response:
“The PGA can do whatever they put their minds too. It’s very challenging to prepare for a Championship under short notice but it’s possible. Championship teams are generally preparing for those events 3-years in advance. The PGA could probably host the tournament at Valhalla because they own Valhalla and could better control the variables.”
“Kerry Haigh, David Charles and the Championship Department are some of the best in the business, so I have complete confidence that they would be able to pivot with precision and put on a great Championship at another venue,” remarked Haskins.
Having the 2022 PGA Championship at another location is not a far fetched idea. Yes, it will require work but it’s more than that. The work is to keep integrity for the game, instead of a man who lies about winning an election. The work is for everyone being able to play golf, instead of it being ‘aspirational’. The work is to fight white supremacy, instead of encouraging it. The work is to recognize #BlackLivesMatter, instead of further police brutality. PGA, now is the time…
Sign our petition to move the 2022 PGA Championship away from Trump’s course here
Kelley Pierre is a Certified Coach with U.S. Kids Golf, Founder & CEO of All Access Golf and Director of Circulation and Consumer Engagement at African American Golfer’s Digest
