It is the 15th century and you’re in Scotland.
I am…so sorry.
You may be asking why and you would have every right to do so.
The reason is that you are witnessing a modern game getting played for the first time.
That modern game would be Golf.
Now, It is important to mention that the origins of the sport have been debated amongst golf aficionados for years. Some say that the game can be traced back to the 13th and 11th centuries. While being played in different locations such as Africa, China, and other parts of Asia as well. Nevertheless, what they can agree on is that the modern game today, looks a lot like the game that was being played in 15th century Scotland.
Now let's get out of here and travel to America.
Here, golf historians have traced the origins of the sport to around the 17th century. Then the sport became really popular around the late 1700s. In the 19th and early 20th centuries is when country clubs started to pop up. These country clubs were occupied by affluent Americans and were segregated. Meaning that if you weren’t white and rich, there was a good chance that you wouldn’t be playing golf.
Specifically, if you were African American, you were most likely denied any membership to any of these clubs. As a result, many were limited to caddy duties. This all changed in the 1920s when the United Golf Association (UGA) was founded. This provided African Americans with an opportunity to compete in a tournament that was organized. The UGA tour featured the Negro National Open. The Negro National Open would then be responsible for the growth of many African American golf clubs.
You could be a casual sports fan. Or you could be a hardcore sports fan. Whatever category of fandom that you fall in, you've more than likely heard of the PGA tour. What you probably didn't know, was that the PGA tour was a "Caucasian-only" event until 1961. Which is not that long ago. That same year, Charlie Sifford became the first black member of the PGA Tour. Like many black athletes during that time, Gifford had to fight through social prejudice.
Ultimately, this would lead to the desegregation of golf courses in Atlanta in 1955. You can thank Tup Holms for that. Holms was denied access to the Bobby Jones course in Atlanta. Then he filed a suit that reached the supreme court. There, was our good friend Thurgood Marshall. Marshall would then argue the case. This would eventually lead to the desegregation of all public places in the city. Twenty years later in 1975, Lee Elder became the first African American to compete in the now famed Masters. That course is also in Georgia for those who didn't know.
We have to give thanks to these brave individuals and pioneers. Without them, we probably wouldn't have the golf legend, Tiger Woods. Woods has done wonders for the sport. Especially bringing golf to the TVs of aspiring minority golfers. Many thought that this would lead to a new wave of African American golfers.
It did not.
According to Golf’s Historic Problems With Race Aren’t Getting Better by Lex Prior –out of the 24 million recreational golfers in the United States, less than 3 percent are Black. On the PGA tour, there are only four black golfers out of the 260 tour regulars. Historically, there has been some representation for young black golfers in the sport. Tiger Woods was an athlete that was not only popular in the United States. He was an athlete that was well known around the world. However, who else besides Tiger can we name recently? That's why more representation in golf is important. So that young aspiring Black golfers can also see that they have a chance.
Now I want you to meet someone. This is someone who is deciding to follow his dreams. This is someone who is already representing. I want to meet Mulbe Dillard IV. Mulbe grew up on the southside of Chicago in a neighborhood called Hyde Park. He started taking his first swings at the age of two. He started playing in tournaments at the age of five. Now Mulbe is the number one minority golfer in the country. He accomplished this while also attending Florida A&M University. Here, he and his teammates also became MEAC Champions.
I had the opportunity to ask him some questions so you could see and meet someone who could help you believe in yourself as well. I’m going to show the questions I asked, as well as the answers. I want you to also learn. Additionally, I want you to see how the conversation went. Enjoy and thank you.
Q: Where did you grow up?
Mulbe: I grew up in Chicago, IL in the southside neighborhood called Hyde Park
Q: When did you first start playing golf?
Mulbe: I first started swinging a golf club at the age of 2, but I started playing in tournaments when I was 5 or 6 years old
Q: What was the name of the first course you played on?
Mulbe: Jackson Park Golf Course.
Q: Who were some of your inspirations?
Mulbe: Tiger Woods, Rory Mcilroy, Sergio Garcia.
Q: What impact has golf had on your life? What does it mean to you?
Mulbe: I honestly do not know what I would be doing with my life right now if it weren’t for golf. Golf means everything to me is the only sport that I’ve played my whole life and I hope to play it for the rest of my life.
Q: Why is representation in golf important?
Mulbe: I think representation is important in golf because golf is a gentlemen's game and you should carry yourself as such. It is always important to keep your composure and represent yourself in a good manner.
Q: What would you say to young black women and men who would like to play golf?
Mulbe: Golf is a game that you can play your whole life and you can make lots of connections in the golf industry. I recommend getting into the game of golf because there are lots of things that happen in golf that can relate to life. I think golf can make everyone a better person.
Q: What would you say to young black men and women who are hesitant to go after their dreams and aspirations?
Mulbe: I would tell them to give it a chance and go for it. You will never know what can happen if you do not try. If you get pushed down, then get back up and learn from every experience you can
Q: What more would you like to accomplish?
Mulbe: I would like to make it through Korn Ferry qualifying school and make it onto the PGA Tour
I would first like to thank Mulbe for his contribution and time to help me with this. We are all rooting for you to make the PGA Tour and you will. Secondly, if you've read up to this point, I would like to thank you for your support as well.
I hope this was able to resonate with you and help you along your journey. My favorite quote from Mulbe is as follows:
"I would tell them to give it a chance and go for it. You will never know what can happen if you do not try. If you get pushed down, then get back up and learn from every experience you can."
I think that is one thing that we struggle with. That fear of the unknown is what keeps us from trying and pushing forward. It's that fear of being knocked down and failing that paralyzes us into no action. Ryan Holiday in The Obstacle is the way mentions,
We fear that taking action is too risky, that we don’t have the experience or that it’s not how we pictured it or because it’s too expensive, because it’s too soon, because we think something better might come along, because it might not work. And you know what happens as a result? Nothing. We do nothing.
The only way to know if you can be successful at something is if you try it. The way to try it is to overcome that little voice of doubt in your head. You don't want to sit down one day and wonder what could have been. This is your life and you can change and or mold it to your liking. You just have to try.
So you see, representation is needed. It is important. However, it is more important to stay true. It's ok to be you. Thank you all again. Much love.
If you would like to follow Mulbe on Instagram, its @marcellusdillard4
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