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bibbouk
Prospect
Joined: 10 Sep 2002
Posts: 1
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 Posted: 9/10/2002, 2:14 pm Post subject: Is golf still too elitist? |
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In watching the US Amateur over the weekend it struck me that I didn't
see many people of color in the match play. I don't know of any that
currently play the Buy.com tour or for that matter any of the mini
tours. When announcers talk about the young guns all the faces shown
are the same color as mine, without the wrinkles.
When Jackie Robinson, broke the color barrier with my Brooklyn Dodgers
there was a huge pool of black talent to be fed to the majors. My
teen age idol Roy Campenella among them. (btw) I didn't see Roy as
black, I saw him as a great catcher. It never occured to me to be
aware of his skin color. I played catcher. I loved the Dodgers and
all who wore that uniform.
Without meaning to demean Charlie Sifford or Lee Elder or others that
came before Tiger, I see Tiger as the one who shattered the color
line but what I don't see is the pool of talent that will provide
representative balance to this sport of ours in the future. Hence, my
question.
I've spent the last few months working with First Tee here in Dallas
and while it is an enviable program the level of instruction does not
match what is being taught in Junior Programs at virtually all ranges
and courses here in the area. So the gap between whites and non
whites in golf will get wider. I suspect it is economics at work once
again. If you are not male and if you are not white in this country,
life is much harder.
I don't have a clue how this should be fixed. I feel in my gut,
however, that we will ultimately be better off both our game and us as
humans if we find ways to get all involved.
I am seeking ideas.
_________________
Mark Johnson
bibbouk@cmfifa.com
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defska17
Hall of Famer
Joined: 01 Apr 2001
Posts: 4150
Location: So. Cal (near San Diego)
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| Posted: 9/10/2002, 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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You said it yourself, it is economics at work again.
As for Tiger, of course he has shattered the color barrier in golf, and the golf community needs to praise Tiger for what he has done for the game.
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Justin Lieber |
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