DAMON HACK: I think so. I think one of the
challenges facing this moment is that folks don’t get satisfied or weary
of these discussions. I think it’s important that it’s sustainable and
meaningful and long-lasting, and it’s important that golf continues to
make efforts to meet African Americans where they live, and I mean that
literally and metaphorically as well, with embracing aspects of Black
culture and music and different things that will continue to make the
game feel less foreign to a segment of society the game is trying to
attract.
PGATOUR.COM: You’ve written about being a Black man in
America and hosted panels on race and sports. What is it like to watch
an NFL game and see “Black Lives Matter” or other such messages against
hate on the backs of the players’ helmets?
DAMON HACK:
Seeing those gestures at NFL games and NBA games and even here and there
on the PGA TOUR with Cam Champ and his shoes or Kirk Triplett and his
golf bag, those are important symbols and messages. It keeps the
discussion in the forefront of our mind. If you’re watching a playoff
game and there’s Najee Harris or T.J. Watt with a message on his helmet –
it used to be that they called the NFL the “No Fun League” because you
couldn’t alter your uniform and had to keep it all in line with whatever
was the message of the day. Keep the shirt tucked in. Don’t have a
Sharpie in your sock. I love that the league has encouraged the players
to express themselves in this moment when the country is more amenable
to listen, to keep these issues kind of top-of-mind even during the
games.
PGATOUR.COM: The John Shippen tournament in Detroit, in
which the winner got into the Rocket Mortgage Classic, seemed like a
cool new thing. Would you like to see more of that, even on a
week-to-week basis?
DAMON HACK: I loved that week. I
thought it was so cool that it all happened in the same week, much like
the Farmers. I just feel like the more that these players have access to
the driving ranges, these incredible courses, the players that are
competing at the highest level, and the caddies and the TV cameras, for
them to be able to rub elbows with Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson –
I can’t say enough about that. We’ve seen Justin Thomas put his hand
out to Big Mike (Visacki), a guy who wants to make it to the highest
level, and you never know what relationships are formed. Even with Aaron
Beverly, we had him on “Golf Today” and asked him, ‘Who would you like
to play with at the Genesis?’ and he said, ‘Max Homa,’ the defending
champion, and my partner, Shane (Bacon) and I said, ‘Wow, great answer.’
Next thing you know, Max hears about it and reaches out and says,
‘Let’s run it. I’ll see you soon.’ So, there you go, a practice round at
Riviera. Those connections can have a ripple effect and be really
impactful and long-lasting.
PGATOUR.COM: Speaking of the Rocket
Mortgage, I was there on-site when Willie Mack III made a par to make
the cut on the number, followed by seemingly his whole family wearing
Willie Mack T-shirts. It was a cool moment. What’s been your favorite
moment of late regarding all this? Maybe it was Aaron Beverly and Homa
connecting for a practice round at Riv?
DAMON HACK:
Excellent question. That one gave me goosebumps, and so did Willie Mack
in Detroit, and the Kamaiu Johnson story, the fact that he can wear
sponsors on his clothes and has the backing of corporate America. That’s
where I’m like, ‘OK, this is starting to take hold.’ Willie Mack was
homeless for a couple years. Kamaiu was kind of a wayward child. Think
of where they are now, the opportunities they have. There’s a lot of
pressure on these men and women. We rightfully genuflect about Charlie
Sifford and Lee Elder, but it’s hard to be a pioneer. The more players
feel like they have a sense of belonging and brotherhood, the more it
smooths their path and takes some of the pressure off in shooting some
of the scores they want to shoot.
PGATOUR.COM: Finally, what do you hope to see going forward?
DAMON HACK:
I’d love to see the game continue to embrace these initiatives, these
tournaments, these programs, with storytelling and an open mind and
acknowledge that, ‘Hey, golf may have been a bit late to the party in
terms of integration and social justice, but we’ve got both feet in now
with $100 million over 10 years from the PGA TOUR, and great gestures
from the USGA and PGA of America and Augusta National and the R&A
and LPGA.’ I feel like this is a moment that has become a movement, and
that golf wants to be out front in a leadership role.
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