by FRED SELTMAN
YOU DON'T KNOW ME---SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAR OFF BASE YOU ARE.
I AM MORE ITALIAN AMERICAN THAN ANY OF THEM ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN.
MY MOTHER AND HER FAMILY CAME HERE FROM ITALY--LEGALLY.
BUT---I AM AMERICAN. LET THINGS TAKE THERE NATURAL COURSE AND STOP TRYING TO DIRECT AND DICTATE. SHAME ON YOU.

by Ivory Rubin
Usually we are defined by the manner in which we present ourselves. If the inaccuracy and insensitivity of your racial comments do not equate to racism, there is absolutely no question that they represent you as culturally, historically, and socially ignorant...at best. Your mother's immigration from Italy, "legally", makes you more Italian American than we are African Americans?? There is no shame on me...only the unimpeachable pride of in being an American, being a black man in America, and being of African decent. And the same truth held for Teddy Rhodes, Ed Spiller, Charlie Sifford, and it holds true for present-day African American golfers.
Evertime you, or anyone else here, make unacceptable racial comments...I'm going to respond.

by FRED SELTMAN
WAY TO GO--------
THIS IS WHY ME AND SO MANY OTHER WERE IN THE KOREA AND VIETNAM CONFLICT--
SO WE CAN DO THIS KIND OF THING.
ALSO--I FOUND OUT WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW.
THANKS

by RLG
I'm with A.C. on this one. This is about more then Black Golfers on Tour. To say that the golf industry or the PGA has done a good job is absurd. If you look at all the major golf companies. Titleist, Nike, Callaway, Taylor Made etc.. They don't even have (1) Black sales rep on there staff. Black folks wear that Tiger Woods apparrel like it's the last clothing line in the world. Do you think Phil Knight or Tiger for that matter care about blacks in the industry. Trust me, if Tiger told Phil that he didn't like the way his company afforded opportunities to blacks the whole damn sales force would be black tomorrow. Tiger's looking out for Tiger and he's paid in full. As long as black folks keep buying it why should it (or will it) change. Profits are up. That's all that matters. Never forget the truth. It's all about the money... period. By the way...The First Tee is only a Real Estate deal in disguise.

by Hoyt Decker
RLG, you say ''Never forget the truth. It's all about the money... period.'' Is that a problem!? We'll never have a "color blind" world, but a world where the only color that matters to folks is green (not black, white, yellow, red ...) sounds pretty great to me.

by rlg
No it's not a problem at all. Hell I love money. My point is the industry is not concerned with issues that African-Americans in the golf industry face. I could sell sneakers for Nike but not Golf shoes. I could wash Golf Carts at the Country Club but never be the Head Professional. The Golf Industry and PGA have no system of checks and balances in place to monitor any type equality. The economic impact of the African American dollar on the Golf Industry is rather substantial for there to be no representation by the companies.

by A.C.
I'd like to pose a question...Why is there so much focus on the PGA and LPGA Tours? What about blacks getting involved in the business side of golf? As a black PGA Professional, I'm more concerned with the fact that of the 28,000+ PGA Members and Apprentices, blacks barely make up a percentage. Why so much focus on playing? The founders of "The Tour" started as club professionals...why has that not continued? Just curious

by African American Golf Woman
Thank you for bringing this subject to light. Most of this generation thinks Tiger is the first Black golfers and unfortunately very often no one seems to be concerned with the question you ask. Golf is not only an expensive sport but one that still in the 21st century discriminates in it's access and opportunities. Yes, the 1st Tee program does bring a new opportunity to introduce kids of color to the game, what is lacking is the mentoring that is required to rise to the pro ranks like any other profession. The LPGA, in my opinion, is truly lacking in this aspect since there hasn't been an African American player since 1999. In fact since you are referring to Black History Month, there have only been 3 Black women on the LPGA Tour in its entire history---Althea Gibson, Rene Powell and Laree Sugg. Many of these women faced tremendous social acceptance challenges of them even being there from the public. The PGA & LPGA Tours does scout and recruit although they will say they don't. But where they fail is looking to the historical Black colleges which have superb golf programs. But no one looks there. A few years ago one of them, Jackson State Univ became the first to participate in the NCAA Div I college tournament. But it was only by force that they were allowed to compete because of in my opinion the discrimination that has prevailed in the NCAA and the fear of that being exposed.
There is no lacking of organizations such as the Minority Junior Golf Association in Arizona or the Western States Golf Association. The PGA & LPGA Tour need to partner with these types of organization that can bring the caliber of play to be a part of the tour just like they do with other organizations.
By the way, for your final Black History month lessson, Dr. George F. Grant, a African American Harvard educated dentist, invented and registered the patent for the golf tee back in the 1890's. Because he loved the game and helping players, he gave them away for free.
Golf Woman in California

by FRED SELTMAN
GEE-----"BLACK COLLEGES".
WHERE ARE THE WHITE COLLEGES??
GET OFF THE "POOR BLACKS" CRAP.
THERE ARE MANY POOR WHITE BOYS THAT DON'T GET OPPORTUNITIES.

by Ivory Rubin
Fred,
Again, you are consistent in revealing and documenting your level of arrogance and racism. What thrills my heart when reading your racist tirades, is the knowledge that you will be faced with the mastery of Tiger Woods for another 5 to ten years...or more. Man, the amount of misery you are going to experience...PRICELESS!!!

by Jon Wilson
Until recently the socio-economic structure has still made it difficult for all elligible golfers of talent to participate. Yes, the First Tee programs will help, college coaches need to look more closely at the talent pool within this country. These American players are there, they may not be competing in the cost prohibitive AJGA events, but are doing rather well in all Jr. events and high school. All college coaches use a scouting service for their respective sports to identify these talents. What might assist with our golfers are more talent scouts are less prestigious events. We all need to do our part in this endeavour.

by PJ
OK, correct terminology aside(re:the previous objection to the term "African American". Vijay Singh is dark skinned and I'm Canadian not American so I'm going with "black people" as in not Asian, Indian or Caucasian.) It doesn't seem like there are alot of "black people" in professional golf anywhere in the world. I have a theory, although an untested one so feel free to disagree. Golf is an expensive sport to play. Baseball, soccer, basketball and football do not require a large initial investment by the player or their family. Both golf and hockey require equipment and ice time/course time that you must pay for. Perhaps there are not as many black people in these expensive sports, not because there is discrimination within the sport but rather that rampant discrimination still exists in society. There is not an equalization of opportunities for wealth yet for black people around the world and there is not a government program in any country like Dominican Republic (where there are golf courses and an excellent Government backed baseball program) to promote golf and cover those costs.
What do you think? Is this valid?

by g. mckenna
I'm just curious as to why you refer to dark skinned Americans as African American. How do you know they come from Africa. Did they just arrive. If Ernie Els or Retief Goosen became American citizens would they be entitled to be called African American. Why are you perpetuating a stereotype? Why can't they just be called Americans?

by Ivory Rubin
G. McKenna,
Although I regret that a brief lesson in cultural proficiency has to be addressed in a golf thread. But here are three short answers to your question, "Why can't they just be called Americans?" One, because the article's author is respects that African American is the manner in which THEY have chosen to be recognized. And that it is OUR heritage and it should be accepted, respected, and celebrated in the same manner as our bretheren who are of Irish, Italian, Scottish, Asian, and a multitude of other heritages that extend beyond our beloved USA. Number two, the choice is not yours. Number three, it is incredibly offensive to refer to us as "dark skinned Americans".
"How do you know they come from Africa?" The stupidity of that question is absolutely laughable and pathetic. You've decided to ignore changes in our society and our country. But, you can not define us!!!

by Bill
The Tiger effect hasn't peak yet. My son, Ajani, was born in 1996 and is now one top ranked junior golfers under 10 years old in the world.
And he's not the only the only one watch out for the wave coming on with names like Liggins (my son), Valentine (12-13 years old now), Geminiani (11 years old), Spencer (10 years old), Gray (16 years old young lady), and many others who we come across everyday on our travels.
The fruits of Tiger's influence will be seen in the next 10 years.