www.ADWnews.com
SPORTS
April 18 - 24, 2013
the Masters’ effect in atlanta: a Strong Black Golfing Community
By erICKa BentOn MartIn ADW Staff After injuring himself playing football, Roderick Turner found a new sport that piqued his curiosity. That sport was golf and he has been playing since 1994. Turner’s friends suggested he try golf and his interest was sparked by the fact that the game isn’t saturated with African-American players. “From my own personal experience in the Black golfing community, there seems to be a lot of interest in the sport,” said Turner. “But there just isn’t a lot of knowledge of the rich history and the role that African Americans played in that history.” With pioneers like Teddy Rhodes, Thea Gibson and Bill Spiller, it was expected that Tiger Woods would lead in a new generation of Black golfers who would dominate the sport. Sixteen years into Woods’ illustrious career he’s number one in the world, but the predicted avalanche of African Americans
following in his footsteps has yet to be seen. Though, it may be on the way. Thanks to the anticipation and hype behind Woods and the annual Georgia golf classic, The Masters, in Augusta, Black golfers and Black-owned golf courses have become a more usual sight than ever in the peach state. Rome Matthews picked up golf as a hobby in 2009 after being offered a job at a local course. Although golf wasn’t an initial favorite, the game grew on him and he says it has taught him valuable morals. “Golf is a really humbling game,” said Matthews. “It’s not like basketball or football where you have people yelling and going crazy. It’s very gentle and teaches integrity. We need more sports like it, especially for the youth.” Recently, there has been also been a push to get young people more involved with the game. The Ryan Cameron Foundation held its 8th Annual Youth Golf Clinic at Charlie Yates Golf Clinic on Saturday during The Masters. The clinic focused on teaching young people the core aspects of the game of golf while emphasizing the skills of strategy, discipline and teamwork. “A one point it became really popular for celebrities to host golfing events for adults so I decided to change it up and do something for the youth,” said Ryan Cameron, the V-103 morning show host and host of the
TIGeR WOODS
tournament. “Golf is the only sport that you can play well into your 90s. It’s not about physical strength but strategy. I wanted to teach the kids these skills early on. I regret not getting into golf sooner than I did.” This year’s participants included members from the Ryan Cameron Leadership Academy, Ivy Prep Academy, First Tee of East Lake and Black Star Educational Institute. “A lot of the students who participate with the foundation were saying that they wanted to do something nontraditional,” said Tracye Bryant, CEO of the Ryan Cameron Foundation. “So we decided to get them away from football and basketball and teach them golf.” Participants received a free full set of personal golf clubs and professional instruction from PGA professional golf players. Wesley Wallace, a senior at Mount Zion High School, has been a member of the Cameron Leadership Academy for four years. He was introduced to golf as a freshman in high school and hopes to play professionally. “I didn’t think I would ever play golf and actually enjoy it,” said Wallace. “These clinics introduced me to the sport and now I am the captain of my school’s golf team. It has helped me build patience and I am considering golf as a career.” Although golf still has not become the most popular sport among African Americans, many Black golfers stress the valuable lessons and skills to be learned through the game. “No one wants their child out in public misrepresenting their family,” said Matthews. “Golf teaches how to dress and speak well. It teaches proper manners. There’s a whole etiquette to it. It’s a gentleman’s sport.”
tyson tells his Story at the Fox theater
By DIane larChe' Special to the ADW Mike Tyson, who is bringing his Spike Leedirected, one-man stage show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth," to the Fox Theatre on April 20, says Lee is a stern taskmaster. "Spike is very demanding. He's going to try to get the best he can get out of you. I don't think many people can work with him. It’s difficult,” Tyson said in a recent telephone interview from his Las Vegas home. After a successful run on Broadway, the oneman show produced by James L. Nederlander embarked on a 36-city tour over three months and wraps up in New York in May. Shows at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and in Los Angeles and Detroit brought out a celebrities like Mike Epps, Tommy Hearns, Charlize Theron, David Arquette and Latoya Jackson. Tyson's former boxing rival Evander Holyfield is scheduled to attend the show at the Fox.
The one-night only show lasts one hour and 45 minutes and is Tyson on stage sharing his life with a back drop displaying video and photos. The boxer ,who retired in 2006, says the audience here should expect passion and emotion. "They'll laugh and cry. I give them all of me." After a history of violence, cocaine use, diagnosis of bipolar disorder, conviction and time served for rape, eight children, three wives and bankruptcy, having dissipated the more than $300 million made over his career, Mike Tyson is looking for peace. Tyson, who will be 47 on June 30 and was ranked No. 1 on ESPN.com's list of the hardest hitters in heavyweight history, said his crazy, destructive and wild ways of the past are long gone. Tickets for the show range from $57.15 to $142.50 and can be purchased on line at FoxtAtlTix.com
9