Be The Change Golf Tournament brings youth of color to the sport

When 18-year-old Isaiah steps onto the tee box, the game of golf feels as natural as breathing. Introduced to the sport at just age three by his father, Isaiah has spent years honing his swing. Still, for much of his journey, he didn’t see many faces that looked like his.

“At first, there wasn’t much diversity,” he says. “But since the Tiger Woods era, I’ve started to see more people of color and more ethnicities playing the sport. There’s still a lot of room for growth, but it’s definitely changing.”

That change is at the heart of the 6th annual Be The Change Minnesota Golf Tournament, which this year partnered with First Tee and the Solomon Hughes Sr. Golf Academy to bring youth into the game. While the tournament draws corporate leaders and nonprofits to the fairway for fundraising and community building, its youth program aims to plant seeds of representation and possibility in the next generation.

For Dr. John Baker, founder of Be The Change MN, choosing golf wasn’t about chasing trends. It was about breaking them.

“Golf is just something different,” Baker says. “We’re trying to get more kids to do other things besides the usual basketball stereotypes. Out here, you meet great people, you make connections, and you see representation in a space where our kids haven’t always been included.”

Representation, Baker notes, has a ripple effect. For some, seeing young Black and brown golfers out on the course sparks curiosity, even for adults who never considered picking up a club before.

Thomas Jackson, the COO of Par365 Golf, Minnesota’s first Black-owned brick-and-mortar golf business, echoed this sentiment. Jackson, who co-founded the company with his wife, Mercedes, sees the company’s presence at the tournament as more than promotion. He says it’s about representation in a sport that has long carried the perception of being reserved for wealthy, older white men. 

For Jackson, golf is less about exclusivity and more about connection. “To me, golf is like bowling outdoors,” he says, describing it as an activity that creates space for fun, networking, and relationship-building. By bringing Par365 into spaces like Be The Change’s tournament, the Jacksons aim to show that ownership and participation in golf belong to everyone, while also introducing their indoor golf league and simulators to a wider community.

The youth portion of the tournament reflects the long-term impact of programs like First Tee, which uses golf to teach life skills and character development. Many children begin as early as age four or five and continue through high school, with some going on to coach while in college.

The organization also runs a national program that spotlights Minnesota youth who stand out not only for their dedication to golf, but also for their commitment to giving back to their communities. At this year’s tournament, one such student was recognized for their consistent involvement and leadership.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Hughes Sr. Golf Academy brought its Fellowship Team, a group of high school players, to the event. As part of its partnership with Be The Change, these students are given the opportunity to apply for a scholarship connected to the tournament, reinforcing the idea that golf can open doors both on and off the course.

Beyond youth development, the tournament carries a practical mission: raising money for smaller nonprofits and building bridges with corporations. “We bring nonprofits together to get them exposure, and we invite corporate leaders to see the work being done in our community,” Baker explains. “It’s about building relationships… Something we need a lot more of today.”

For Isaiah, programs like Solomon Hughes Sr. Golf Academy have provided mentorship, consistency and community. They’ve also helped him envision golf as more than just a pastime. While he plans to study at the University of St. Thomas this fall, he says the sport will always be part of his life: “It’s a lifelong game. I’ll be playing it forever.”

For Kelly Baker, John’s wife and partner in the movement, the tournament’s roots are deeply personal. The idea was born nearly six years ago in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, as John searched for a way to bring people together around something positive.

“I’m just so proud,” Kelly says. “To see how it’s grown every year has been amazing. For me, it’s a beautiful time for community to come together as family, businesses, neighbors, golfers…even those who’ve never golfed before. Everyone comes out to show their love for the youth of Minneapolis.”

Neither John nor Kelly grew up golfing, but through their sons’ involvement they discovered the game’s unique ability to build connections. “When you’re on a cart for two to four hours, you really get to know people,” Kelly says. “And the plus is we get to introduce golf to community members who might not have felt this game was for them. Now, they do.”

In the end, Be The Change’s golf tournament isn’t just about fundraising or friendly competition. It’s about rewriting the narrative of who belongs on the course and proving that the greens and fairways can be just as much a place for youth of color to dream, grow and thrive as any basketball court or football field.

For more information on Be The Change MN, visit www.bethechange.com on First Tee, at www.stpaul.golf/first-tee-saint-paul; on Solomon Hughes Sr. Golf Academy, at www.shsga.org; and on Par365 Golf, at www.par365golf.com.

Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbrde@spokesman-recorder.com.