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Youth

Golfing Against the Odds: Detroit's Ambitious Effort to Introduce the Game to Young Black Players

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Coaches and community groups in Detroit are working tirelessly to make golf more accessible to young Black players, a challenge rooted in the city's history and cultural norms. Only about 50 of over 14,000 high school students in Detroit's school district play golf on school teams, with many Black youth never having been exposed to the game. The National Golf Foundation reports that despite being a minority, Black, Asian, and Hispanic players make up 25% of the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on a course in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • Detroit's golf community has been largely inaccessible to young Black players due to a lack of cultural recognition and respect, as stated by coach Jesse Hawkins.
  • The Rocket Classic, a PGA event in Detroit, has donated nearly $800,000 to programs that teach kids how to play golf, with a total of $10 million contributed to local charitable organizations.
  • Dan Gilbert's Rocket Companies has been a sponsor of the PGA event and works with partners to bring the game to Detroit's youth, covering costs and promoting accessibility.
  • Vice President of Civic and Community Affairs Trina Scott emphasizes the importance of accessibility and barrier elimination in attracting Black and brown youth to golf.
  • The first PGA event in Detroit took place in 2019, and the city's golf community has been working to make the game more inclusive.
  • A golf simulator donated by First Tee of Greater Detroit is being used by Renaissance High School's team to introduce the game to students.

Statistics:

  • Only 50 of over 14,000 high school students in Detroit's school district play golf on school teams.
  • 25% of the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on a course in 2024 were Black, Asian, or Hispanic, according to the National Golf Foundation.
  • The Rocket Classic has donated $10 million to local charitable organizations, with $800,000 specifically allocated to programs teaching kids how to play golf.

Sources:

  • National Golf Foundation
  • The Rocket Classic
  • First Tee of Greater Detroit
  • Dan Gilbert's Rocket Companies
  • Trina Scott, Vice President of Civic and Community Affairs at Detroit-based Rock

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