Another Masters has come and gone. The green jackets have been awarded and the PGA tour for 2025 has come to an end. The corks have been popped and the champagne poured. Pats on the back given and rankings listed. Among the jubilee and pomp —one thing remains for this season and the other past seasons— the lack of African American presence.
The PGA has long been known as the most elite club to be in for golfers. It is what every golfer strives for and is recognized around the world as excellence in the sport. Before the PGA removed it’s Caucasian-only rules for players in 1961, African Americans made up a vast majority of the caddies. A caddie is an important part of the golf world. They don’t just carry bags- they carry years of wisdom of the sport. They offer advice, strategy, and mental support for the players.
In the 1950’s there were over 50 African American caddies, many of them noted for their roles in the Augusta National Golf Club. They formed the alliance that became the caddies to have and to know. Their contributions are accredited to the success of golfers like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. However, when the Augusta National ended, the profound presence of the African American caddy ended as well.
For 50 years, the African American caddy stood next to their golfer as the green jacket was slipped on at the Master’s. Now? They are few and far between. On the PGA tour this year it was noted that there were just 3 minority caddies. The only PGA caddy that made an appearance at the Masters this year was African American caddy Adam Parmer who caddies for Max Greyserman.
Greyserman finished 29th at the Masters 2025 and is ranked the 49th golfer in the world. His success is in part to the knowledge and support of Adam Parmer. I was fortunate enough to speak to Parmer via phone just the day after securing their ranking at the Masters.
Parmer is a natural caddy. As we speak, he acknowledges the athleticism and precision of Greyserman. He fondly describes their relationship both on the green and off. He is proud of the work they do together and the name they are making together.
When I ask Mr. Parmer about his experiences as the only African American caddy at the Masters this year, he is humble in his recognition of what he represents for the minorities of the golf world. However, he is quick to speak of the opportunities that he sees. Of his love for the sport and for what he does. While he acknowledges that being a caddy is much more than carrying clubs- he raises the attention to the fact that golf is a tough sport for African Americans to succeed in.
Parmer feels strongly that with the correct exposure and training opportunities, there is room for more African Americans in the golf world. He is excited for a future with more minorities leading the golf arena.
An interview I recently did with Bob “Cowboy” Ming helped to get some insider opinions on the topic. Cowboy is a noted PGA caddie. His skills at analyzing the game and players have earned him notoriety in the sport. His skills have helped players land titles and earnings throughout the last 30 years. Ming now exclusively caddies at Paradise Valley Country Club in Arizona but was happy to sit down with me and share his insight.
Ming strongly believes that while there are many advancements in the PGA and professional sports alike, there is still discrimination in the PGA for minority players. The basics of the game start early- with the opportunity for training and exposure; which is something lacking in the African American community. Ming believes this lack of exposure leads many African American golfers to golfing in denial. They have denial about what the game entails in order to earn the purse and to make the long haul. Golf has been a white man’s sport from the early days-the coaching and exposure has belonged to those with country club upbringings, not to those in urban areas.
Ming feels those disadvantages to African American youth leads to a discrepancy for the lack of opportunity. We first train and encourage athletes as young people before we make them famous. That opportunity isn’t there currently for both professional golfers and their caddies.
