"I believe golf is designed to price black people out"
Adena Andrews at ESPNW has the story of the Jackson sisters, labeled the "Venus and Serena" of golf because of their success at just 12 and 14 years old. And, perhaps because dad displays some of the same wonderful traits as Richard Williams. 
In discussing the $40,000 a year Eric Jackson says his daughters' golf career costs, including the $1000 he recently spent on a club for one of his daughters (is there a $1000 club in golf, or a $1000 junior set?), he says…
In the winter months, they use an $11,000 golf simulator in the basement that the girls are rapidly outgrowing. Between practice, tournament fees, traveling, lodging, coaching and equipment, the family spends about $40,000 a year for the girls to compete.
"This is an expensive sport, and the better you get, the more expensive it becomes. The last club I bought Erica cost $1,000," Eric said. "I believe golf is designed to price black people out, and if these girls don't get the financial backing they need, it could be the end of them competing."
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but oftentimes golf prices just about everyone out. Especially at the prices quoted in this story.
More important, as for the girls, Myah and Erica, they sound delightful.
Erica hopes to attend Howard University, and Myah wants to study veterinary science at Georgetown or Cornell.
"I wouldn't quit golf until I didn't need it anymore. It's a tool to help me get where I want to go in life," said Erica, who wants to coach someday.
Although golf has become the family business, with the girls missing as many as 20 days of school a year for tournaments, they maintain 3.4 grade-point averages.
They also have interests in addition to golf. They volunteer at church and sing in the choir. They also enjoy taekwondo; each is a second-degree black belt.
"Burnout will not be an issue for my girls," Eric said "We don't even watch golf in my house. They probably couldn't tell you what is happening in the golf world right now."
Friday, July 6, 2012 at 01:25 PM
Reader Comments (48)
The programs like "First Tee" and others, I think, do help. But it is not a very good investment of time and money if the end goal is to profit financially.
But, $1000.00 for a golf club?
Help is needed for sure.
Those of you that deny this is moreso for the minorities are practicing the new form of racism// which basically amounts to pretending it doesnt exist....
Good luck to them and I hope we get them on tour someday!
Otherwise, unless they decided (unnecessarily) to go for a high end custom fitting at a place like Cool Clubs or HotStix, or buy something from Honma, t is almost impossible to believe he spent $1,000 on a single club.
$1000 for a club you hit at best 14 times a round and it better do my taxes, mow the lawn and bring me an ice cold beer at the end of a long hard day.
Basement simulators? Jeebus. Kids these days are gonna be able to do one thing really well - repeat the same swing over and over off of perfect flat lies with no wind. That's awesome for the 18 tee shots on a calm day. Good luck with evrything else.
The conjoining of "golf" with a reference to "pricing people out" is an inherently loaded notion.
I dare say, that there are travel hockey teams, and youth ski teams, and radio-controlled model airplane clubs that are just as likely to "price people out." But hockey, skiing and model airplanes are wholesome endeavors with no attachment to private clubs, claims of racism, class warfare, etc.
As long as we're talking Venus and Serena; is it not standard nowadays for talented youngsters to be whisked off to a Nick Bolletieri school. Where the costs are a lot more than 40k/year?
I agree with Geoff, by the way; these girls sound delightful and no sane person could do anything but wish them the best. The "pricing black people out" comment is such a blight on a charming story.
"Golf" is always the all-purpose whipping boy for social scolds.
What exactly is a minority these days? Anyone who isn't white? I don't think so. These race card players are losing credibilty daily.
You dont need to spend big bucks on modern equipment to either play or enjoy the game. I just played a very affordable and enjoyabe round in Denver at Common Ground with their 4 year old Wilson rental set that is lent out for free!
Wear sneakers versus buying golf shoes so no need to replace soft spikes too
Use found tees and balls
Walk versus ride
Bring your own snacks in your bag and a water bottle to refill for free
Use eBay for buying last years equipment at large discounts
Play twilight golf for a fraction of primetime weekend rates
I just don't buy that golf prices anyone out... what a farce!
Let's talk about the obstacles Peete, Elder, Sifford, Dent, Charlie Owens, the Thorpe brothers, etc., overcame compared to Eric's children and their $11K simulator.
One issue is that in order to get a golf scholarship (or recruited) you have to play the AJGA circuit which is rather expensive
(oh and to digress you don't go to vet school in college, you have to get a B.S. first)
Are you sure you meant melatonin? Did you mean melanin?
You don't "have to" but it certainly helps to play AJGA events especially with the top programs in mostly D1 and probably some elite D2's. In D3 the money given out is supposed to be for academics but the schools in D3 police themselves so one can assume there is some room to play with the numbers at the top D3 schools.
@Willie L: Great comment about these girls mastering perfect flat lie w/ no wind brainless swings....which is why I would've invested the money towards more time on the course vs being in a basement hitting balls according to how a computer is telling you how you're hitting it...this just appears misguided to me....but the girls do appear to be sweethearts....so I wish em all the best and hope they follow through with their dreams/goals.
Not sure why he needs to buy expensive equipment though. Perhaps it's just a way of showing he doesn't want those nasty rich white people to think they're just dirt poor black people.
You should have seen the clubs I started with. Two of 'em had (slightly bent) hickory shafts!
http://golfweek.com/news/2012/jun/01/ferrari-metalwoods-those-who-cant-buy-car/
In addition to Seve, Cabrerra and Harrington spent next to nothing and they also have FIVE majors between them.
They're 12 and 14. What in the hell is this dad talking about.
The thing I don't appreciate is this guy's idea that the game would somehow be less exclusive to blacks if only HIS daughters would be able to get that next simulator upgrade. That's the ultimate line of b.s. "Give my kids free lessons and a country club membership so the golf world will be less exclusive." Now THAT'S the same ol' whine from the same tired carafe.
I'd gladly sell my whole set to him for $14,000 if he's interested.
My wife and I have college degrees and both work full time jobs and yet we enjoy golf on a limited basis because our priorities are that of retirement and what we face in regards to healthcare costs. To put into simple terms, START SAVING FOR THE RAINY DAYS.