Why So Few Black Golfers?

From ESPN:

The fact that two of the top three male golfers in the world -- Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods -- are men of color is compelling and, on the surface, inspiring. But that inspiration is only skin deep. A glimpse just a shade below the surface reveals a reality closer to despair than hope. Simply put, 30 years ago there were 10 African-Americans with PGA Tour cards. Today, there is one -- Tiger Woods.

The answer is simple. It's a lack of fathers in the home. Golf - much like baseball - is a game of fathers and sons. So naturally, if there are no fathers around, the sons will not participate. Nearly 70% of all black children today are born out-of-wedlock. Nearly 70%. That's astonishing.

The result is very little participation from blacks in golf and a dwindling number playing baseball. Many claim it's a class issue, but that's not true. The great Charlie Sifford and Lee Elder and Calvin Peete came from nothing - yet had fathers and a community that supported them. Therein lies the problem. It's the family, stupid.