In 2021 , Ethan Mangum graduated magna cum laude from Florida A & M University , where he majored in Sociology and Law . He is studying for his master ’ s degree in Public Policy at William & Mary . He wants to be a United States ambassador . He ’ s also a terrific golfer . In September 2019 , Mangum helped carry the Rattlers to a first-place finish in the Black Hall of Fame Division I tournament . In 2021 , the Rattlers won the MEAC title , Mangum was medalist and the team advanced to the NCAA championships for the first time . True to what you ’ d expect from a student with his credentials , in February Mangum was named the inaugural “ Pathway Player ” in the Genesis Invitational ’ s Collegiate Showcase . Its purpose is to honor minority college golfers who excel on the course and in the classroom .
Clearly an extraordinary young man , the 23-year-old Mangum has likely received more advice from well-meaning people than he could ever possibly put into practice . But the advice he will carry with him the rest of his life , he said , consisted of three little words : “ Never Give Up .”
Next-door neighbors , academic advisors , even clergy , have been whispering such encouragement since the dawn of time . But Mangum ’ s source may have had more credibility than all of them .
The late Lee Elder , the first Black golfer to play in the Masters , was holding court in a hotel lobby in Augusta , Georgia . Mangum was drawn to the large crowd . Elder was in town to participate in the Masters ceremonial tee shot along with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player . Mangum was working for CBS as a spotter . Despite the crowd , they made eye contact . “ I was the only person who wasn ’ t around him ,” Mangum told The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot ’ s Larry Rubama , “ and he asked me to come over .”
Near the end of their conversation , Mangum told Elder that he aspired to play professionally , to return to Augusta
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National with his clubs and caddie . Elder then provided a path to follow . “ It ’ s something I ’ ll never forget ,” he said . Mangum couldn ’ t have a better role model . After years dominating the United Golfers Association , Elder finally played the PGA Tour regularly in 1968 , at age 40 . That first full season , he lost a playoff with Nicklaus at the American Golf Classic at Firestone in Akron , Ohio .
At the time , the Masters was an invitational that had no clause banning Black golfers , but Augusta National would not offer Elder a place in the field . Finally , under pressure , the club announced that any golfer winning a PGA Tour event would automatically qualify . In 1974 , Elder won the Monsanto Open at Pensacola Country Club , where six years earlier he had been made to dress in the parking lot .
In six Masters , Elder ’ s best finish was T-17 in 1979 . Otherwise , he won four events , played on a Ryder Cup team , won more than $ 1 million , and forever promoted summer youth golf development programs .
Today , many organizations and corporations continue working to make golf more inclusive . Everyone , of course , knows of the First Tee , now nearly a quarter-century old . A couple of others don ’ t enjoy the same notoriety .
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The advice he will carry the rest of his life consisted of three little words : “ Never Give Up .” |
Black Girls Golf was an idea that took two years to hatch . In 2013 , CFO Tiffany Mack Fitzgerald and 26 friends met at an Atlanta golf course . The organization now boasts more than 4,000 members of all stripes in the U . S . and abroad . Its stated purpose is to “ build better professional relationships and connect with people in positions of power and influence .”
CBS Sports recently created a “ Race and Culture Unit ,” designed to identify opportunities . . . and help shape the editorial direction for all CBS Sports content “ at the intersection of sport , race , and culture .”
In February , United Airlines and the PGA Tour announced a partnership in which 51 HBCUs with golf teams will receive half-a-million dollars for travel and recruiting . The $ 10,000 per school will allow those teams to compete in tournaments previously beyond their financial reach .
“ This was an opportunity that , quite frankly , was right up our alley ,” United president Brett Hart said . “ United is committed to advancing inclusion and racial equity and that begins with making meaningful mentorship and scholarship investments in the communities we serve .”
If players like Mangum are any indication , that type of investment will pay huge dividends — for all parties .
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WILLIAM & MARY ATHLETICS |
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40 V IRGINIA G OLFER | MAY / JUNE 2022 |