Me? Golf?
Challenging stereotypes and creating representative environments to combat cultural barriers
Beyond financial barriers, cultural barriers can pose significant obstacles to participation in sports and enjoyment of the outdoors. Cultural norms, traditions, and perceptions about gender roles, ethnicity, and societal expectations can influence an individual's access to and engagement in activities. These barriers can limit opportunities, discourage participation, and perpetuate inequalities in the sporting world.
By engaging local communities to understand their unique cultural perspectives, we actively work to break down these barriers, tailor sports programs and initiatives to better meet the needs and interests of diverse populations and create a culturally representative space that provides opportunities for all individuals to participate and excel in an inclusive environment.
Our partership with Soccer Without Borders to recruit their alumni to serve on our coaching team as On The Green Summer Camp counselors is one example of our efforts. Not only are we introducing young people of different cultures who never envisioned themselves playing golf to the game and changing their perceptions on who golf is for, this diverse base of mentors and role models create a culturally representative environment for our youth program participants to learn the game and see themselves in their mentors.
View the video below to meet our coaching team and read on to learm more about two of these amazing young individuals below. We loved seeing them practicing their skills on the range and our par-3 course in 2023. They are returning to the camp in 2024 and we can’t wait to have them back!
Meet Najji
Where were you born?
I was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but raised in Uganda.
Where do you currently live?
I’m based in Oakland but currently live in Merced for school.
What was your first exposure to golf:
My first time playing golf was the summer of 2022 when I participated in summer camp with other Soccer Without Borders girls and ever since then I knew this is the community I wanted to be involved with.
How has your perception of golf changed since you’ve started playing?
My perception of golf has definitely changed a lot since my very first time playing it. It changed in terms of how much I care and want to better myself at the sport not only physically but also mentally. I think what really captivated me to golf is how much of a mental sport it is. It requires focus, patience and resilience and I got to really practice these skills while being a camper and working at On the Green Camp. I’m truly more than excited to return!!
Three words to describe golf before you were exposed to it: Not very challenging.
Words to describe golf after experiencing it:
Hard, precise, focused. After being exposed to golf I started to understand it better and appreciate the space more. The thing that really changed for me is the level of challenge golf can be because I started to understand and appreciate the sport more.
Meet Samar
Where were you born?
I was born in Sudan but was raised in Egypt.
Where do you currently live?
I currently live in Oakland
First experience with golf:
My first time trying golf was in 2022 when I started working for On The Green Summer Camp.
Perception of golf:
My perception of golf has definitely changed since I began playing it. I’ve never considered playing golf, let alone imagined how much I’d enjoy it. But now, when I think of golf, I recall all of the wonderful and incredible memories I made while working at the summer camp! Just working there for a short time has taught me so much about golf that I feel like I could teach it to someone else. I have also developed an appreciation for the sport in general.
Three words to describe golf before you were exposed to it:
Rich, white, complicated (because I did not know how it works)
Three words to describe golf after experiencing it:
Enjoyable and unique. By that I mean unlike any other sport it’s a sport that can be played alone yet teaches a person so many life skills like the ones we covered during camp (honesty, patience, perseverance, etc). However, I do still think it’s a sport that is mainly accessible to a certain group of people.