Detroit (AP) – As a fan, Sean Horn is about Detroit’s professional sports teams. But when it comes to playing, high school juniors are turning to one game.
“I’m only playing golf,” Horn said after turning on a simulator in the gym on Detroit’s Westside gym.
Accepting golf is something unusual among his 16-year-old Detroit peers, especially black high school students.
City coaches and community groups are taking ambitious steps to promote the game’s popularity among students. high school student In Detroit school districts, school teams play golf.
In Detroit, the biggest challenge is exposing young black people to the game, said Jesse Hawkins, team coach at Horn at Renaissance High School. It helps by providing support from local businesses and nonprofits, as well as access to equipment and university scholarships.
“When you enter high school and go to elementary school, you often hear stories around basketball players, football games, and stuff like that,” Hawkins said. “And golf isn’t that wide for our community.”
Who’s playing?
In Detroit, supporters of the rise in play among black youth have partnered with some of the city’s largest businesses and community organizations. At least two nonprofits offer programs that teach children how to play golf.
Rocket Classic has rushed nearly $10 million to local charities from its annual PGA event in Detroit. Of that, $800,000 was given to a program that taught children how to play the game. One program provides access to college scholarships for seniors in high schools, with over 700 children and teens participating in the program annually by First Tee in Greater Detroit.
“Golf is the reason we get them there, but while we’re there we teach them life skills,” said Carl Bentley, CEO of Greater Detroit’s First Tee, who donated a golf simulator to the school district. “Learn how to say ‘Yes, yes’ – how to start a conversation by waving appropriately. We teach them life skills, then we teach them putting, swinging and more. ”
Of the 28.1 million Americans who played golf on the course in 2024, approximately 25% were black, Asian or Hispanic. National Golf Foundation. Interest is wider when considering people who have played or followed on TV via professional golf coverage, written or podcasts.
But Hawkins said his experience as a coach suggests that black high school students are not one of their audiences.
“I haven’t heard kids talk about the latest golf shoes or cool golf apparel,” Hawkins said. “You’re not necessarily trying to get a badge of honor to step into your high school, and you have the latest golf shirts.”
A lack of money is a barrier
Golf and equipment can be expensive.
According to the census, Detroit, who is just under 80% black, had a median income in 2023 of around $39,500 in 2023. The city’s poverty level was approximately 32%. Statewide, that figure was around 13.5%.
A good set of golf clubs can cost over hundreds of dollars. It’s $28 for juniors to play 18 holes and use cart weekday on two public golf courses in Detroit.
The PGA brought its first event to Detroit in 2019, sponsored by a rocket company from the city, Dun Gilbert. The company is working with partners to bring games to Detroit youth to cover some costs, said Trina Scott, Vice President of Civic and Community Affairs at Gilbert’s family office, Detroit-based Rock.
“How do you see (golf) as a possibility by attracting black people and brown young people?” Scott said. “One way to do that is to eliminate (and) barriers. You can wear the right clothes to go to the golf course, have the clubs you need, and have the skillset you confidently have on the course.”
From grid irons to golf courses
Mike Schuchard has around 12 players on the Detroit Castel Golf Team. This is about twice as many as last season, but only two are considered “varthiness level.”
That alone isn’t enough to compete with some suburban schools with a strong golf program.
The first year golf coach says he is already looking to recruit students who are interested in other sports.
“These schools have great athletes, but they haven’t been featured in this game yet,” Schuchard said.
Ahmari Flowers, senior captain of Cass Tech’s golf team, agrees. He started playing sports after his freshman year.
“I’m an athletic guy and golf has become easier for me,” Flowers said.
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