The Rome report

During the week of the Masters, the question of race once again popped up: Why are there so few black golfers on the PGA Tour and is it Tiger Woods’ responsibility to help get more blacks there?

In sports, most of the time, all that matters is that you can play. The reason there aren’t many blacks on the PGA Tour is because there aren’t many who have the talent to get there and stay there. When more blacks become good enough to make the tour and stay on the tour, then you will see more blacks on the tour.

Also hurting black golfers’ chances of making it to the tour is the culture of blacks and the history of the game.

A lot of black people did not grow up playing golf. First off, they could not afford to play. They could not afford to pay for the equipment and they could not pay to get into the country clubs.

Second, even if blacks could afford to get into the country club, the country club would not accept them as members. Years ago, the only way for most blacks to get into a country club was to work there as a caddy.

Most people know that golf did not become popular for blacks until Tiger Woods burst onto the PGA Tour. Woods’ domination of the course at Augusta in his first Masters Tournament inspired a younger generation of blacks to begin to play the game. Golf only became popular with blacks after that moment because they had someone to root for.

That brings me to the next question: Is it Tiger Woods’ responsibility to get more blacks on the tour?

Many people believe that it is Woods’ responsibility to do more to increase the number of blacks golfing, including other black golfers.

On “Outside the Lines” last week, several black golfers said Woods’ isn’t doing enough and Woods’ owes it to them and other black golfers to give them a hand.

The fact is Tiger Woods doesn’t owe anything to other black golfers.

Would it be nice if Tiger lent them a hand in making the tour? Yes. Would it be nice if Tiger gave money to help black golfers? Yes. Would it be nice for Tiger to take black golfers under his wing to help them improve their game? Absolutely. The fact is, though Tiger doesn’t owe it to black golfers.

It’s not Woods’ responsibility to do these things.

One of the black golfers in the “Outside the Lines” story said Woods owed it to other black golfers to let them share in his success.

Why? Because Woods is black?

It amazes me some people think Woods automatically owes it to other black golfers to lend a hand. Woods doesn’t have to let anyone share in his success. He worked hard to get to where he is. Woods shouldn’t be criticized because he doesn’t go all out to get more blacks on the tour.

I would like to see Woods do more, but you will never hear me say that he owes it to anybody to help out.

If black golfers want to make the PGA Tour, they need to practice hard and improve their games, not look to Tiger Woods for help.