By now you have seen Troy C. Mullins. Either competing in World Long Drive events, as an ambassador for various major golf brands, or as a golf reporter. A driven competitor with spirit and flair, she is now a valuable part of the golf sports world. Troy recently was gracious and offered this writer an interview, and what became apparent is that Troy C. Mullins is making a statement, and the public needs to listen.
Growing up in southern California playing multiple sports Troy developed a competitive drive, which serves her well today as a businessperson in an arena that doesn’t always embrace the input and contributions of women. The game of golf for many becomes the elixir that cures the competition itch in early adulthood, which came for Troy after competing as a heptathlete while in college at Cornell University. As much as Troy needed the game, her presence in World Long Drive was needed to expand the reach of the sport.
What uniquely set Troy apart from her competition was not just the skill she exhibited booming drives to become a World Champion which she did in 2017 at the Mile High Showdown with a winning drive getting out there to 374 yards, it was her understanding that the platform was an entry point towards an even louder boom. Now that she is an established presence in the world of golf, Troy openly speaks about her respect for the game, its traditions, values, and history. Having a background in studying foreign culture in college with the intent on becoming an ambassador to China creates a mindset that is unlike many in the world of golf, yet Troy has become an ambassador to golf intent on creating opportunities for other women to become vital and valued pieces within the game.
It takes a lot to openly state that your goal is to make a place for other women, however, Troy doesn’t just stand firmly for women, as she also represents women of color. Golf is evolving on many levels, and the last two years have become a whirlwind of monumental shifts. Few lanes of entry and career enhancement have been afforded to women of color, and along with those hurdles minimal attention has been given to those who have worked to attain professional status.
What makes the grind even more difficult is that even established LPGA players have had difficulties securing lucrative sponsorship deals over individuals that aren’t even playing professionals. The expectations leveled upon women of color that they ALL must be the exception to the standard when others can just ‘be’ is a difficult construct to work within therefore it makes even more sense that women, and especially women of color STAND with and for each other to build for each other and the women to come that are today having a club placed in their hands.
Troy knows that relationships matter, priorities matter, fit matters and her attention to detail regarding her business of being Troy C. Mullins matters greatly within the ecosystem of golf. Asking the question regarding ‘A seat at the table?’ Troy is ever thoughtful because the opportunities are available, however, the pitfalls of becoming tied to brands and situations that really don’t meet the bar of creating enduring partnerships still happen.
As an on-course analyst and post-round host for the LIV Golf League Troy has taken advantage of an opportunity to bring her style to a new global golf audience. During any LIV Golf League event, it is just as common to see fans clamoring for photos with her just as much as the Major Champions that are competing. Troy has made sure to let us know that she can play the game and has the talent that allows her to take in aspects of the game the LIV Golf Professionals work on to build her repertoire, which Troy has because she recently shot the Women’s course record score at her home course in California.
The longstanding divide between men’s and women’s golf in relation to course access, style of play, and ability just may begin to close because of Troy C. Mullins. The realities within the game have not been kind to women and people of color, so it is of utmost importance that a woman like Troy have come to the game and built something for themselves within it. The simple statement of fact that if one puts in the work, the return is forthcoming is the message Troy leaves me with to make clear to the next generation of women of all colors involved in the game of golf; a statement that ALL of us need to listen to.
Follow Byron Perry @BPerry918 on Twitter or @ Byron Perry on Instagram for more content and interviews.
