Gay golfers

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Coaching

PGA Golf Professional and qualified Life Coach Gary has many years experience in both playing and coaching a vast spectrum of players.

Yet, a glimpse into history shows that LGBTQ+ representation has always been present, though perhaps not spotlighted.

1970s-1990s in Golf

One of the first significant cultural golf moments happened in 1979 when Betty Hicks, a pioneer for women in golf and one of the founders of the LPGA wrote a positive article about lesbians in golf for Christopher Street magazine, a now-discontinued queer magazine.

This article was published during a time when women on the LPGA tours faced immense fear of being publicly humiliated for possibly being called a lesbian, truthfully or otherwise.

Later, in 1995, CBS golf commentator Ben Wright was fired for making disparaging comments about lesbian golfers and the physiological limitations women golfers have because of their bodies.

Though Wright went on to deny these accusations, despite having made them on-air, he was reinstated with CBS with a four-year contract.

Through increased visibility, policy changes, and the work of organizations and advocates, the golfing world is slowly evolving to become more inclusive and supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Promoting and attending diverse golf events, such as the TeeHC Open, is one way that the golfing world can loosen up from its conservative history.

Our community is fun.

The beauty of this game is that the golf ball has no idea who’s hitting it and doesn’t care who you are, and that’s kind of beautiful.

I’ve seen real progress. How has your gay identity impacted how you navigate the industry?

JP van der Walt: It really hasn’t changed. We love the chirp and trash talk just as much as anyone else.

They are the largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ people, and the exclusive certifying body for LGBTQ-owned businesses.

While not exclusively focused on golf, the NGLCC promotes diversity and inclusion in all aspects of business, including the golf industry.

Why LGBT Golf?

Growing up as an LGBT+ golfer, with little to no representation in amateur or professional circuits – particularly for gay men and trans people – can feel isolating.

To help forward golf on a positive and inclusive path, LGBT Golf creates spaces for LGBT+ people to gather safely and connect through a love for golf.

That’s when the true self comes out most of the time, in my opinion.

Outsports: How did you get your start in professional golf?

JP van der Walt: The journey to that point was quite interesting. The tough part was, when you travel with guys, and you have to cut costs, guys all in a room together, and it’s four or five guys in a house.

I felt like when I stopped playing professional golf, I had to buy hoodies because I didn’t really have anything for winter.

Outsports: When you were coming out, did you feel that this would be a hindrance for you in the realm of sports?

JP van der Walt: I was fearful of it being a hindrance, and I was fearful that coming out would be a distraction.

In response to the lawsuit, the LPGA amended its by-laws to eliminate the “female at birth” requirement for membership.

21st Century Freedom

2018 was a notable year for the LGBTQ+ golf community. Absurd, right?

As a result, even today, the sport is predominantly white male-dominated and has had limited representation from minority groups, such as those from the LGBTQ+ community.

Golf, tennis, rugby and cricket, and all the traditional sports — I was just exposed to all of it.

Outsports: What is it about golf specifically that intrigues you?

JP van der Walt: The challenge that comes with it. He founded LGBT Golf to fill a vacuum in the sport. After a successful launch and move to London, the idea for LGBT Golf came to life.

Blog

For much of golf’s extended history, the sport has been seen as a conservative and traditional game.

Consequently, thanks to the influence of Pak and other accomplished Asian players, the number of athletes hailing from Asian countries participating in the LPGA Tour has experienced a substantial increase.

Acknowledging the diversity in golf therefore facilitates the inclusion of various communities and by extension improves the competitive landscape of the sport.

Similarly, LGBTQ+ representation is crucial.

I don’t like to say “coming out.” I like to say “letting people in.” I let people in on who I am, and I felt like that could also be a distraction at the same time. They cover news, stories, and issues related to LGBTQ+ individuals in the golfing world. A gay wedding held at a golf course? Hailing from South Africa, the love of the game has taken him all over the world.

Having played junior golf in his home country and college golf in the United States at Columbus State University in Georgia, van der Walt’s career in sports has shaped core parts of himself — an out, proud gay man with an insurmountable drive to succeed in sports and pay it forward to the future generations.

We chat with van der Walt via Zoom just weeks after World Pride, where he saw the golf landscape evolve in real time.

And you know, every school is a little different, and so they rely a little bit on my coaching background to give them an idea of what certain coaches are looking for.

Outsports: Where did your passion for sports begin?

JP van der Walt: I have to say, from my dad. I played junior college golf and Division II golf in Columbus, Georgia.

In 2009 when I graduated, I really wanted to follow this dream of playing professional golf, so tried it out for five years and had an amazing time doing it, traveling the world, living out of a suitcase in the summers.