For decades, Black golfers like Charlie Sifford faced discrimination and challenges as they fought to become members of the P.G.A. They had to deal with bigotry, death threats, and countless humiliations as they simply tried to play golf with the best players of the era. The P.G.A. had explicitly enforced racial discrimination in its bylaws, preventing Black golfers from competing as PGA Tour members or finding jobs in P.G.A.-affiliated pro shops. Despite efforts to integrate professional golf, progress was slow as the P.G.A. continued to thwart the inclusion of Black players, with star players failing to speak up for equality.
The battle to integrate professional golf took a significant step forward when Attorney General Mosk intervened after Sifford was excluded from the P.G.A. Mosk threatened to sue the association to prevent its segregated tournaments in California, which led to the removal of the Caucasians-only clause. This breakthrough paved the way for Sifford to become a full-time member of the P.G.A. However, despite Sifford’s success, there were still very few Black golfers on the pro tour years later. The Masters, one of the most prestigious golf tournaments, did not invite a Black player to participate until 1975, 41 years after its inception.
The lack of diversity in professional golf continues to be a persistent issue. In the 2022 Masters, there were just three Black players, a record high for the tournament. This lack of representation extends to other major tournaments like the United States Open. While Tiger Woods, who credits Sifford with influencing his career, has been a trailblazer for Black golfers, there are now only two Black golfers playing professionally on a regular basis – Cameron Champ and Harold Varner III, who is no longer a member of the P.G.A. Efforts to promote diversity in golf, such as the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption at the Genesis Invitational, aim to increase opportunities for golfers of color and inspire interest in the sport among Black athletes.
Calls for increased diversity in golf have led to suggestions for changes within the P.G.A. Introducing exemptions for golfers of color at all P.G.A. tournaments could help open up opportunities for underrepresented players. Additionally, funding more programs to develop young Black golfers and promote golf within Black communities could help increase diversity in the sport. Notable figures like basketball star Stephen Curry, who has supported efforts to revive golf programs at historically Black universities, are being recognized for their contributions to advancing diversity in golf. The P.G.A. should take inspiration from these initiatives and prioritize promoting diversity within the sport.
