Richard Badger, director of We Black We Golf in Milwaukee, said the origin story for the group is a tale as old as time. About six years ago, the group’s founder, Marshall Martin, went golfing at the Silver Spring Golf Gourse in Menomonee Falls when he noticed a group of white males giving him the “side-eye,” Badger said.
Martin didn’t let the moment pass before exclaiming, “Yeah, we Black, we golf.”
He was inspired to start a Facebook group on July 30, 2018, which has grown to more than 7,500 followers around the world and led to the creation of the nonprofit We Black We Golf. Since then, the group has worked to improve participation in the sport by utilizing the game to develop networking and philanthropy skills and offering lessons.
We Black We Golf hosts its 4th annual Midwest Golf Open through Sunday. In addition to golf, other offerings will include food, games, a DJ, comedian and live bands. Badger stressed that people of all backgrounds are welcome and anyone can participate in the open on Saturday at Brown Deer Golf Course, even first-timers.
Badger, who was head coach of the women’s team at Alverno College in recent years, decided in an act of “rebellion” to his wife over 20 years ago to buy a set of a golf clubs when she dragged him along on a trip to the old Kmart near Highway 100 and Burleigh Street.
“I didn’t want to be at the store, so I went straight to the sports section,” he said.
“And there was a box set of clubs on clearance for like $40 so I bought them.”
Badger said about a year later his uncle invited him golfing and he’s been hooked ever since.
Being a beginner, he didn’t understand the sport, and credits his development to the television network Golf Channel.
“I watched religiously,” he said. “With pen and paper, taking notes on different golf lesson shows. … I’ve been studying the game ever since, taking lessons ever since, and working on my game ever since. I lost over 100 pounds just to improve my golf game.”
Badger said it’s not all about being the best at golf, but the skills you develop while playing the game.
“It teaches you a lot about patience,” he said. “It teaches you a lot about negotiating, navigating obstacles. It can be very parallel to how you make decisions in life. There is really like no other sport than golf. Golf has no boundaries; it has no dimensions.”
Badger hopes to be part of a growing movement that sees Black America, especially young people,…
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