A big swing to support young Black golfers

It takes skills to get a tiny golf ball into a faraway hole. It also takes money, connections, power, time and privilege — things historically denied to people of color. Data compiled by the PGA of America show that people of color make up about 18% of golfers in the United States. Black people: only 3%.

Pro basketball superstar Steph Curry has stepped up to change that, in partnership with Howard University, a historically Black institution. The school recently restarted a men’s and women’s golf team thanks to a donation from Curry that’ll fund it for six years. A few weeks ago, Howard’s golf program got a new pile of money at a fundraiser in California.

Today we hear from Farrell Evans, a reporter and golfer who writes about the intersection of race and golf. And we check in with Howard’s golf team.

More reading:

Steph Curry brings golf back to Howard University

Lee Elder, who broke the color barrier, honored during Masters ceremonial tee shot

Howard’s Gregory Odom Jr. plays through grief to win PGA Works Collegiate golf title