Jackson Reid
Despite golf's historical exclusion of African Americans, there have been several prominent African American golfers, including John Shippen, Althea Gibson, Lee Elder, and Charlie Sifford, who have made significant contributions to the sport. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest among African Americans in golf, with 4.1 million African Americans playing golf in the United States in 2021, according to the National Golf Foundation. However, African Americans still only make up a small fraction of the total number of golfers in the country, with less than 1% of PGA members being African American in 2019. This low participation rate is due to various factors, including the high cost of golf equipment and the lack of access to golf courses, as many courses are located in affluent areas requiring expensive memberships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of African Americans playing golf in 2021 | 4.1 million |
| Number of African Americans playing golf in 2011 | 2.6 million |
| Number of African-American golfers in 2015 | 1.1 million |
| Number of African-American golfers in 2018 | 800,000 |
| Percentage of country's golfers made up by African Americans in 2019 | 3% |
| Percentage of the US population made up by African Americans in 2019 | 13% |
| Number of PGA members who were African American in 2019 | <1% |
| Number of golf facilities opened in the US by 1939 | <5,000 |
| Number of golf facilities open to Black players by 1939 | <20 |
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What You'll Learn
African-American golfers in the US Open
Golf has historically been a sport for the wealthy and privileged, with African Americans facing barriers to entry due to segregation and discrimination. Despite these challenges, African Americans have made significant contributions to the sport, with notable golfers like Tiger Woods and pioneers like John Shippen, who played in the second U.S. Open in 1896, breaking down racial barriers. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest among African Americans in golf, with 4.1 million playing in the United States in 2021, an increase from 2.6 million in 2011.
African Americans have faced an uphill battle in golf, with segregation policies and discriminatory practices excluding them from golf courses and tournaments. Golf has a muddled history when it comes to race, and even today, African Americans face limited access to professional and elite country clubs. However, pioneers like John Shippen, who faced threats of boycott from professional players due to his race when competing in the U.S. Open, broke down barriers and paved the way for future African American golfers.
African Americans have also made significant achievements in golf, with pioneers like William Powell, who built, owned, and operated Clearview Golf Club, the first golf course open to the public regardless of race, and Charlie Sifford, who became the first African American to earn a PGA Tour card and won multiple PGA events. Other notable African American golfers include Pete Brown, who became the first African American to win a PGA-sanctioned event in 1964, and Lee Elder, who became the first African American to compete in the Masters in 1975.
Advocates for diversity in golf, such as Renee Powell, the second African American woman to play on the LPGA Tour, are working to break down barriers and make golf more accessible to everyone. Efforts like the USGA's IDEA Grants Program and the PGA Tour's $100 million commitment to social justice, diversity, and equity causes aim to improve inclusion and address the lack of representation and diversity in the sport. These initiatives are crucial in making golf more welcoming and inclusive for African Americans, ensuring that the sport reflects the diversity of America.
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African-American golfers in the PGA
Golf has historically been viewed as a sport for the wealthy and privileged, with African Americans underrepresented in the sport. However, African Americans have played a significant role in the growth of golf, both on and off the course, and there has been a recent surge of interest among African Americans in the sport.
African Americans have faced racial barriers and systemic exclusions in golf, but they have also shown a rich history of athletic mastery and resilience. In 1961, the PGA of America removed its "Caucasian-only clause", allowing all players to participate in professional golf tournaments. Despite this, African Americans still only made up 3% of the country's golfers in 2019, compared to 13% of the population.
African Americans have achieved notable successes in the PGA. In 1964, Pete Brown became the first African American to win a PGA-sanctioned event, the Waco Turner Open. Calvin Peete won 12 PGA Tour victories, the most of any African American golfer until Tiger Woods. Lee Elder became the first African American to play in the Masters in 1975 and the Ryder Cup in 1979. Charlie Sifford, who won the 1967 Greater Hartford Open Invitational, the 1969 Los Angeles Open, the 1975 PGA Seniors' Championship, and the 1980 Suntree Classic, was ranked by fans as one of the best black golfers of all time.
Looking ahead to the 2024 PGA Championship, there are several African golfers to watch. Higgo, a 23-year-old prodigy with two European Tour victories, has an aggressive style and exceptional ball-striking skills. Bekker, a young golfer who won the Masters in 2016, has shown resilience and determination in overcoming injuries. Grace, a South African golfer with four PGA Tour victories, has been consistent, with numerous top-10 finishes. Finally, Van Tonder, another South African golfer, has dominated the Sunshine Tour and secured two victories on the European Tour in 2022.
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Initiatives to increase diversity in golf
Golf has long been associated with the wealthy, white, and privileged, and African Americans have historically been underrepresented in the sport. Despite making up 13% of the population, African Americans only accounted for 3% of the country's golfers in 2019. However, there has been a recent surge of interest among African Americans in golf, with 4.1 million African Americans playing golf in the United States in 2021, a significant increase from the 2.6 million in 2011.
There are several reasons for the low participation rate among African Americans, including the lack of access to golf courses and equipment, as well as the lack of representation and diversity in the sport. Many golf courses are located in affluent areas and require expensive memberships, making it difficult for low-income individuals and families to participate.
To address these issues and increase diversity in golf, several initiatives and programs have been launched:
- The USGA's IDEA Grants Program, launched in 2021, provides direct funding to community-based programs like First Tee to improve pathways to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
- The PGA Tour committed to investing $100 million over 10 years to aid social justice, diversity, and equity causes in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in 2020.
- The “Make Golf Your Thing" initiative, which invites people from all backgrounds to try the game in their own way.
- The Grassroots Grants Program, coordinated by WE ARE GOLF, supports charitable organizations or programs dedicated to increasing golf participation among underrepresented groups.
- The PGA of America's foundation, PGA Reach, provides fellowships, scholarships, career exploration events, and culturally significant championships to help young professionals enter the golf industry.
- The Diversity Task Force, which includes representatives from the PGA of America, PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, and other golf organizations, works to develop strategic plans and subcommittees to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry.
These initiatives aim to increase access to golf for underrepresented groups, provide funding and support for community-based programs, and promote diversity and inclusion within the golf industry. By addressing the barriers to participation and creating a more welcoming environment for people from all backgrounds, these initiatives strive to make golf a more inclusive and accessible sport.
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African-American golf course architects
Despite the perception of golf as a sport for the wealthy and privileged, African Americans have made significant contributions to the game. Efforts are being made to increase the number of African Americans playing golf, and there has been a surge of interest among the community in recent years. According to the National Golf Foundation, 4.1 million African Americans played golf in the United States in 2021, a significant increase from the 2.6 million in 2011.
African Americans have played a significant role in the growth of golf, both on and off the course. Joseph M. Bartholomew, born in 1885, was the first African American golf course architect and designer. He began his career in golf course architecture in 1922, creating a new course at Metairie Golf Club in his native New Orleans. He learned his craft from renowned golf course architect Seth Raynor, whom he apprenticed under in Long Island, New York.
Bartholomew went on to design and build several other courses in Louisiana, including City Park No. 1, City Park No. 2, and Pontchartrain Park in New Orleans. He also designed courses in Covington, Hammond, Abita Springs, Algiers, Baton Rouge, and even one course in Mississippi. Due to segregation, Bartholomew was not allowed to play on the courses he built. Despite this, he continued to excel in his field, teaching and making golf clubs at the courses he designed.
Another notable African American golf course architect is William Powell, who built, owned, and operated Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. After being denied a G.I. loan for his plan to build a golf course, Powell secured funding from two African-American physicians, and his brother took out a second mortgage on his home. Powell built Clearview Golf Club with his own hands, and it opened to the public as a nine-hole course in 1948. In 1978, Powell expanded the course to 18 holes.
These golf course architects, among other African Americans in the sport, have paved the way for increased diversity and inclusion in golf. Renee Powell, the second African American woman to play on the LPGA Tour, now runs the Clearview Legacy Foundation, which promotes diversity and inclusion in golf.
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African-American golfers: past and present
Despite constituting 13% of the US population, African Americans made up just 3% of the country's golfers in 2019. This disparity reflects the historical exclusion of African Americans from the sport, with many golf courses and country clubs barring African Americans from membership.
African Americans were often limited to serving as caddies, and even then, they faced discrimination. In 1896, John Shippen, who was of African American and Shinnecock Indian descent, played in the second U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, where he worked as a caddie. Despite some players threatening to boycott due to his race, Shippen competed and tied for sixth place.
African Americans also faced barriers in accessing funding and resources for playing and building golf courses. For example, in 1946, William Powell was denied a G.I. loan to build a golf course. He persevered and, with the help of funding from other sources, built Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio, becoming the only African American to build, own, and operate a golf course.
It was not until 1961 that the PGA of America removed its "Caucasian-only clause", opening the door for African Americans to participate in professional golf tournaments. The same year, Charlie Sifford became the first African American to earn a PGA Tour card. In 1975, Lee Elder became the first African American to compete in the Masters, enduring death threats with style and courage.
While these pioneers paved the way for future generations, the number of African American golfers declined from 1.1 million in 2015 to 800,000 in 2018. However, notable African American golfers like Tiger Woods, who is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time, have continued to emerge and inspire people to take up the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
4.1 million African Americans played golf in the US in 2021, according to the National Golf Foundation.
In 2019, African Americans made up 3% of golfers in the US, despite making up 13% of the population.
There are several reasons for the low participation rate of African Americans in golf. Historically, golf has been a sport for the wealthy and privileged, and African Americans have faced barriers to accessing golf clubs and equipment. There is also a lack of representation and diversity in the sport, which can make it seem unwelcoming to African Americans.
