Why is Tiger the only black man on tour?

[BASHERBAKER69]

Seeing that the media and the golfing world in general is so obsessed with Tiger, i thought we should chip away at this icon to discover what makes this man so special. I tend to think that part of his mystique is associated with his skin colour- ie- he is the only black man on tour and the powers that be are anxious to promote golf as an open sport that anyody can play- this is to the benefit of the game and ultimatley to the benefit of the golf equipment companies.

The fact that Nike have Tiger from top to bottom to bag and balls as their most prominent athlete could be detrimental to golf in my view, as this could polarise racial divides. You can decide for yourself the reasoning behind this comment for now, i won't say the time being- or alternatively, tell me if this is a legitimate statement to make and why?!

But what interests me, is the lack of other black men, not necessarily African- American, but African in general who are taking up and participating at the highest level. I can't think of another African who is emerging in the sport on the Nationwide, European or Asian tour- not a single one(?).

There are many Asian players emerging in golf, but not any black men, and this is also the case in tennis (Blake being the exception)- i think it could be to do with the 'Country Club' image associated with these sports.

Perhaps there is still a lot of prejudice and ignorance in the world still, and this is partly being the lack of African men emerging?

Your thoughts please.

[Hustle]

I thought he was Asian.....

[BASHERBAKER69]

I view Tiger as an African American. Ok then, take TW out of the equation, why are there no black men on tour?

[Dent]

Well, Vijay is not African but he is black, So maybe the question should be. Why is Tiger the Only African-American on tour? :P

I've always wondered this also, its funny isnt it?

[Hustle]

I would say for the same reason that we have no whites in the NBA. I drive through the getto/ or mostly black neighborhood (I realize that blacks live in good neighborhoods too, just making a point) to play at this one course and there are as many basketball goals as there are houses. Blacks just do not grow up playing golf, as compared to the whites. But this is my perspective from the southern states, I know that up in Cally that boys like boys and such. So opnions may be abit different there.... Sure this will get me in the box, but oh well. Just my thoughts..

[Ruari]

I can't think of another African who is emerging in the sport on the Nationwide, European or Asian tour- not a single one(?).

Chris Kamte, rather talented S African who's making a mark on the European Tour.

we have no whites in the NBA

Don't the Boston Celtics have the odd one or two...?

[twotacosfor99cents]

Well, Vijay is not African but he is black, So maybe the question should be. Why is Tiger the Only African-American on tour? :P

Calling Vijay black would be like calling an apple a vegetable. Vijay is Fijian/Pacific Islander.

[flap]

I somewhat agree with Cally on the point that the less privledged IE poorer inercity youth can not afford clubs balls and green fees.They can get a B ball and sneakers and play on the playground all night.This is the same reason you do not see that many blacks playing baseball any more for the same reasons I just stated.Besides the young blacks I feel like the faster paced more atheletic game of Basket Ball.This topic has been on some of the sports radio programs in New York the last couple of weeks quite a bit.Seems like the new White sport in high school is lacross and the black kids are migrating towards Baskets and Football.I do not watch the Nation wide tour are there any Blacks on there?Does any one follow college golf? would like to see if there are any blacks on scholarship in major college golf.

[Dent]

Calling Vijay black would be like calling an apple a vegetable. Vijay is Fijian/Pacific Islander.

I'd say close enough?

[BASHERBAKER69]

Thanks flap. Good point. Its alright having Tiger as an inspiration to Africans to get out and play golf, but we aren't seeing any coming through that i know of and i follow the game quite carefully. Certainly there are none on their way from America or Europe. There is one from South Africa as already mentioned- Chris Kamte..don't know him...that says it all.

[Ruari]

Chris Kamte..don't know him...that says it all.

He picked up some good finishes on the S African (Sunshine Tour) swing and currently lies in 96 spot after 6 events. Used to be a footballer (Association, not gridiron); turned pro 2002, tried Q-School 2005,6 & 7. Some good showings on teh Challenge Tour.

And I must apologise to him (and you) - his name's actually JAMES Kamte, not Chris. too much distraction...

[Lefty731PM]

Seeing that the media and the golfing world in general is so obsessed with Tiger, i thought we should chip away at this icon to discover what makes this man so special.

1. He is half African/American, half Thai.

2. Look at swimming. How many African/Americans are great swimmers? Not as many as there would be if they had the same opportunities as the average white person in American society. Golf is a wealthy person's sport, as is swimming. Runners can train by running out the front door, young swimmers/golfers have to be driven to the pool/course, picked up and coaches' fees paid. 3. How many great black snow skiers can you name? Once again - it's about opportunity. 4. Tiger is special - no-one even approaches his will to win and self-belief. 5. Until golf is "democratized", you will not see equal opportunity. Think about how music-making and film-making is now accesible to all because the technology is cheap. 15 years ago, only someone with hefty financial backing (rich parents) could make a film or record music. Now all you need is a cheap camcorder or a PC in your bedroom. Hence the domination of music now by what you might call "minorities" with dubious talent, in many cases. Golf courses are never going to be accessible to all, hence, white people have more opportunities.

[jrm1493]

Calling Vijay black would be like calling an apple a vegetable. Vijay is Fijian/Pacific Islander.

I think he's actually of Indian descent but may have some polynesian (Fijian) blood; There are large Indian populations all over SE Asia; many are multi-generational natives of their country of residence but are still ethnically Indian (an example for Americans is my wife's father and uncle who were third-generation Americans but learned Czech before English; in my family my grandfather was the first to marry a non-Scot in the 1950s even though the family had been in the US since the early 1800s).

[BASHERBAKER69]

Also, i didn't see many black faces in the crowd at Augusta strangely enough. In fact, I don't see many black spectators at events this side of the pond or in the US. We like to give an inclusive image but the fact remains that golf is still very 'shut'- but some people like it this way, thats part of the reason why they play.

[Hustle]

Also, i didn't see many black faces in the crowd at Augusta strangely enough. In fact, I don't see many black spectators at events this side of the pond or in the US. We like to give an inclusive image but the fact remains that golf is still very 'shut'- but some people like it this way, thats part of the reason why they play.

Augusta discourages 40's in brown paper bags and wheels bigger than 22's....

Oh and my wife is black... So don't hate...

[AmenCorner]

African? Considering the fact that Africa is the most desparate continent on the planet, it is no suprise that golf doesn't seem to be a high priority. War, disease, and famine seem to be higher obstacles right now.

As for African-Americans, or black people or whatever, they represent only 12% of this country, and it doesn't seem to be culturally a very popular sport. However, there are certainly blacks that play at a young age I presume, and there are also some barriers to joining country clubs as well I presume, but I'm sure it can't be nearly as prominent as it used to be.

Considering that Tiger's impact on the game has only been felt for a little over ten years from now, my guess is, it is only a matter of time before we see an influx of black players on tour.

On a sidenote, I'm tired of the racist accusations in our media right now. Just because there is a sample of people that doesn't reflect the general population, doesn't mean it's because of racism. People love to play this card for a variety of reasons, but it's simply cliche and not true. There are hardly any white people in the NBA, is this because of racism? There are only 8% blacks in the Majors now compared to 27% in the 70's and 80's, is this racism?

I'd like to hear that argument.

[AmenCorner]

Also, i didn't see many black faces in the crowd at Augusta strangely enough. In fact, I don't see many black spectators at events this side of the pond or in the US. We like to give an inclusive image but the fact remains that golf is still very 'shut'- but some people like it this way, thats part of the reason why they play.

Most of the tickets are controlled by corporations. So by your account they are all racist, or there are other factors at work.

Keep in mind that you would only have to see 1 in 10 fans as black to represent the general population. That is not very many.

[dkglf98]

It's all economics, to play hoops all ya need is a pair of sneaks, somebody will have a ball and the playgrounds all have a hoop.

Golf is expensive, Hockey is expensive, Skiing is expensive, you get my point.