Comments on: Tiger the Only African-American on Tour http://thesandtrap.com/extras/swing_thoughts/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour Golf News, Reviews, and Commentary Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:22:24 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Rick http://thesandtrap.com/extras/swing_thoughts/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour#comment-11995 Rick Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:55:19 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour/#comment-11995 [quote comment="11951"]Rick - Dude, your son wants to be a "cardio-surgeon" and you say that's "unfortunate"?? You mentioned priorities in your post - I think your son has them in the right place.[/quote] You misunderstood the "unfortunate". It was not for me, but for those at the golf courses who have seen him play and practice and want him to pursue golf professionally. Of course he has his priorities in the right place. I think anybody who read what I have posted should be able to see that. By the way, he shoots 70's now and has decided to try qualifying for the Shell Houston Open in 2009. He makes his own decisions and I support him. That's the way it goes. That is as simple as I can make it. MCA said on July 20, 2008:

Rick -

Dude, your son wants to be a "cardio-surgeon" and you say that's "unfortunate"??
You mentioned priorities in your post - I think your son has them in the right place.

You misunderstood the "unfortunate". It was not for me, but for those at the golf courses who have seen him play and practice and want him to pursue golf professionally. Of course he has his priorities in the right place. I think anybody who read what I have posted should be able to see that.

By the way, he shoots 70's now and has decided to try qualifying for the Shell Houston Open in 2009. He makes his own decisions and I support him. That's the way it goes. That is as simple as I can make it.

]]> By: MCA http://thesandtrap.com/extras/swing_thoughts/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour#comment-11951 MCA Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:23:06 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour/#comment-11951 Rick - Dude, your son wants to be a "cardio-surgeon" and you say that's "unfortunate"?? You mentioned priorities in your post - I think your son has them in the right place. Rick -

Dude, your son wants to be a "cardio-surgeon" and you say that's "unfortunate"??
You mentioned priorities in your post - I think your son has them in the right place.

]]> By: rick http://thesandtrap.com/extras/swing_thoughts/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour#comment-6385 rick Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:29:44 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour/#comment-6385 Well my son is 16 and has been playing golf for about 2 and 1/2 years. He made his high school varsity golf team last year and just recently shot his lowest score of 81. He practices 4-6 hours everyday and plays at least once a week. It's true that golf for the black community is expensive and time consuming. I'm a black father, but I think it's about priorities too. I have the time to take him to practice and the money to pay for his membership at a private golf course. We made the necessary sacrifices for him to get good instruction, good equipment(Ping), and make time for his practice. I'm sure Tiger's parents made a lot of sacrifices for him to get where he is today. Golf is not just about skill and athleticism, but there is so much more to the game that has to be learned including the rules. My son has been told by several golf professionals that he has the ability to play professionally if he wants to, unfortunately, my son wants to be a cardio-surgeon and not a professional golfer. It's his decision and not mine, so I am behind him regardless of what he chooses. If black parents would take the time and invest their money in their child learning the game of golf, there'd be a lot more blacks playing professionally. I gurantee it. A child has to be dedicated and willing to devote hours daily to practice and play everyday. In golf, winning will eliminate those who try to keep you out. My son's goal is to shoot a record 54 before his 21st birthday. He believes he can do it and so do I. He's only 5 years and 27 strokes away. I also believe there are young black kids who are probably quarterbacks on some pop warner football team with the potential to be professional golfers. Well my son is 16 and has been playing golf for about 2 and 1/2 years. He made his high school varsity golf team last year and just recently shot his lowest score of 81. He practices 4-6 hours everyday and plays at least once a week. It's true that golf for the black community is expensive and time consuming. I'm a black father, but I think it's about priorities too. I have the time to take him to practice and the money to pay for his membership at a private golf course. We made the necessary sacrifices for him to get good instruction, good equipment(Ping), and make time for his practice. I'm sure Tiger's parents made a lot of sacrifices for him to get where he is today. Golf is not just about skill and athleticism, but there is so much more to the game that has to be learned including the rules. My son has been told by several golf professionals that he has the ability to play professionally if he wants to, unfortunately, my son wants to be a cardio-surgeon and not a professional golfer. It's his decision and not mine, so I am behind him regardless of what he chooses. If black parents would take the time and invest their money in their child learning the game of golf, there'd be a lot more blacks playing professionally. I gurantee it. A child has to be dedicated and willing to devote hours daily to practice and play everyday. In golf, winning will eliminate those who try to keep you out. My son's goal is to shoot a record 54 before his 21st birthday. He believes he can do it and so do I. He's only 5 years and 27 strokes away. I also believe there are young black kids who are probably quarterbacks on some pop warner football team with the potential to be professional golfers.

]]> By: Doug Carey http://thesandtrap.com/extras/swing_thoughts/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour#comment-154 Doug Carey Tue, 14 Mar 2006 18:35:48 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour/#comment-154 Mr Sirak has no clue as to why there are not more blacks on the tour! Go check and see how many colleges (black or white)that have potential PGA Calibre golfers? The reason is not just class as he stated, but also financial. Blacks cannot get the financing or backing that white players get. That's it in a nut shell! My son (African-American) was accepted as a walk-on at LSU and was told to practice and do everything like the other "white" scholarship golfers which he did. He used to beat half of them when they played. When he asked when he would get a chance to play in a school tournament, he was told by the golf coach "I only play my scholarship players". Well what was his reason for accepting a walk on?? Oh yeah! He did not think my son would beat any of his scholarship players when he accepted him as a walk on. My son had the potential to be a professional golfer had he been given the chance to grow through college competition (By the way, he did become an Asst PGA Professional later on). It's things like this, not talent, lack of a nearby golf course, or living in the inner city is what keeps black golfers out of the professional ranks. I lived in Baltimore (which I believe classifies as an inner city)in the 50's-60's and there were plenty of black golfers and 3 golf courses that blacks played at. Some of those guys were better than good, but it's funny how none of them ever made it to the PGA? Makes you wonder why???? It's the same everytime,Money! Money and them that has and them that don't have is what's keeping blacks out of the PGA. Look at the number of financially stable people in this country and see how many of them back or sponsor a white golfer. Now look at how many sponsor a "Black" golfer? Mr Sirak has no clue as to why there are not more blacks on the tour! Go check and see how many colleges (black or white)that have potential PGA Calibre golfers? The reason is not just class as he stated, but also financial. Blacks cannot get the financing or backing that white players get. That's it in a nut shell!

My son (African-American) was accepted as a walk-on at LSU and was told to practice and do everything like the other "white" scholarship golfers which he did. He used to beat half of them when they played. When he asked when he would get a chance to play in a school tournament, he was told by the golf coach "I only play my scholarship players". Well what was his reason for accepting a walk on?? Oh yeah! He did not think my son would beat any of his scholarship players when he accepted him as a walk on. My son had the potential to be a professional golfer had he been given the chance to grow through college competition (By the way, he did become an Asst PGA Professional later on). It's things like this, not talent, lack of a nearby golf course, or living in the inner city is what keeps black golfers out of the professional ranks. I lived in Baltimore (which I believe classifies as an inner city)in the 50's-60's and there were plenty of black golfers and 3 golf courses that blacks played at. Some of those guys were better than good, but it's funny how none of them ever made it to the PGA? Makes you wonder why???? It's the same everytime,Money! Money and them that has and them that don't have is what's keeping blacks out of the PGA. Look at the number of financially stable people in this country and see how many of them back or sponsor a white golfer. Now look at how many sponsor a "Black" golfer?

]]> By: Q-School Kickoff | The Sand Trap http://thesandtrap.com/extras/swing_thoughts/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour#comment-155 Q-School Kickoff | The Sand Trap Wed, 01 Dec 2004 19:22:24 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/tiger_the_only_african-american_on_tour/#comment-155 PGA and LPGA Tour Q-Schools kick off soon. The men will play six rounds, the women five, and everyone's hopes are on the line. PGA and LPGA Tour Q-Schools kick off soon. The men will play six rounds, the women five, and everyone's hopes are on the line.

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