Tiger Woods’ meteoric rise to fame inspired an unprecedented number of black Americans to give golf a try. While there were talented black golfers before Woods, his reign inspired many people of color to cop a set of clubs and mosey on out to the nearest driving range or public course to see if they could be like Tiger. Pre-Woods, golf was seen as a sport for rich, white people. After seeing him stand on the podium week-after-week, however, some of us just had to try.
Count me in as part of the pack that tried recreational golf. Each of the past four years, I’ve managed to find my way out to golf courses at least a handful of times to donate some brand new golf balls to the neighborhood trees, bushes and lakes. Still it’s much harder to get together a foursome of friends for 18-holes than to find 15 or 20 friends to ball out on the hardwood during an open gym. That doesn’t stop me from throwing out the occasional feeler to my non-golfing friends. Occasionally someone bites. More times than not, they look at me like my black card is about to be permanently revoked. Even know my golf skills are garbage, it’s still a fun sport to play.
Earlier this week, Jordan Spieth approached the 18th hole of the British Open, chasing history (and three other guys). I found myself standing beside publisher Donald M. Suggs, Wiley Price and other American staffers, glued in front of an office television to see if the boy wonder could pull a rabbit out of his hat. What was notable about the situation is that there were several African-American men, of all different age ranges, captivated by a golf broadcast and Woods was nowhere in sight. In fact, Woods might as well been in the office watching alongside us. He was sent home Saturday, before the street lights came on, after missing the cut by a full seven strokes. After watching Spieth come just shy of forcing his way into a playoff, I found myself wondering how long it will take before the next black golfing sensation hits the scene. Like many Americans, we’ll watch when Woods is in the hunt, but once he’s gone, the channel gets changed quicker than DeAndre Jordan can go back on his word.
Woods could resurrect his career and become a champion again, but it’s unlikely he’ll never again become such a dominant force. During his well-documented fall from grace and struggles, a number of potential heir apparents have emerged. Rory McIlroy is currently the No. 1 golfer in the world. The 26-year-old was a scratch for the British Open due to injury and could not defend his crown. However he has been the post-Tiger poster boy. Spieth is fast on his heels in the rankings and has more than doubled-up McIlroy in earnings this year. Spieth is the latest golfer to be dubbed “the next Tiger.” Other young, talented and hungry golfers are creeping up on the scene such as Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama but none of them are black.
So where is America’s Next Top Black Golfer? Who knows? Maybe it’s Mariah Stackhouse, the Stanford standout, or Cheyenne Woods – Tiger’s niece. They could put women’s golf on the map for women of color like Venus and Serena Williams did for tennis. Maybe the next black star is currently in high school or college. Maybe he or she is not yet playing golf at all. Maybe it’s you.
Most of the time, Woods is the only black male golfer on the PGA Tour. It’s been nearly two decades since he stormed onto the scene but according to Rob Oller of the Columbus Dispatch, there are less black players on tour than in 1975 – the year Woods was born! The floodgates of black golfers that were supposed to follow Tiger never really came. Golf and swimming are apparently the kryptonite of black athletes.
Access certainly plays a role. Golf isn’t a cheap sport, but a skilled miser can make a way. Indian Mounds Golf Course on the Ill side isn’t the prettiest course in town, but it’s just $15 for 18 holes with a cart. There are Par 3 courses like Tower Tee with comparable pricing. Many lament the cost of clubs, but there’s a magical place called Craigslist where secondhand club sets can be purchased for the price of a basketball or a baseball glove. Let’s face it, a beginning golfer will hit the same stray balls with a $50 set of clubs as with a $500 set.
We’re willing to pony up the money for our kids to join gymnastics or play junior football, neither of which is cheap, but look at folks crazy when they talk about golf. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not passing on a NFL or NBA game to see who’s leading at Pebble Beach anytime soon. Golf has a certain charm though. It’s an individual sport, so there’s nobody else to blame for disasters. There’s no credit to share for achievements. It’s challenging yet peaceful and serene. Also, as they say, many a deal has been closed on the golf course, so it’s a good skill to have tucked away in the utility belt. Lastly, think about this. Woods has earned over $1.3 billion dollars in his career without getting punched in the face or sacked by a 300 lb. defensive end. Much of that is from endorsements, but he’s still cleared $100m from on the course winnings alone. That means teaching your kids golf could end up being a sound investment.
Follow Ishmael and In the Clutch online @IshmaelSistrunk
