Breaking Boundaries Spotlight – Will Lowery, Professional Golfer

As we continue to celebrate black excellence, achievement and historical contributions of African Americans, I’m really excited to kick off a new series during this Black History Month!  We kick off our first Breaking Boundaries spotlight with Will Lowery, an African American professional golfer.

If you’re a fan of the Golf Channel, you may have come across this name a time or two. Will Lowery has appeared on The Golf Channel’s hit reality series, “The Big Break.” He was a cast member on both Big Break Indian Wells, and Big Break NFL: Puerto Rico. Lowery plays professional golf while working his way toward competing for a spot on the PGA tour.  He also conducts golf clinics and volunteers with First Tee Junior Golf Program in his native Charlotte, North Carolina. 

When I connected with Will on Instagram, I knew I had to feature him on the blog! I’ve never seen a professional golfer like this.  I’m sure many have different first impressions when they see him and learn of his profession but my first reaction was simply “Wow.” I’ve watched my fair share of golf and I’ve never seen a for real for real melanin brother, golfing, rocking locs, earring in the ear, and backwards cap. This brother was unique and special. He was bold, he was confident, he was unapologetically himself and he was most certainly breaking boundaries.

Will was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to chat with me recently after returning from a trip to Argentina.

[OD] What influenced you to take up the sport of golf?

[WL] My dad introduced me to the game of golf at a young age. Tennis was actually my main sport first. I started to play golf more and more and really focus on it in high school. Growing up in the urban communities of Charlotte, golf and tennis wasn’t something others around me were into. I was labeled “white” by peers and at times I was the outcast. I played basketball and football to blend in with friends.

[OD] What do you love most about the sport?

[WL] I can’t conquer it. I can’t beat the game.  It’s a spiritual game. It’s something that’s in you — more than just a ball and a club.  You have to know who you are within the game and the sport. It’s a sport like no other.  You must have mind, body, and soul aligned to perform a physical action that takes place in 0.3 seconds at a time. The average swing takes 0.5 seconds. It’s a love hate relationship.  It’s more than just putting a ball in a hole. At times I fear the game will make me walk away from a financial standpoint.  It’s very expensive financially to pay for the expenses of playing in the tournaments, travel, equipment, etc.

[OD] I love how you are unapologetically YOU and you haven’t traded in your style to conform to the industry norm. Since you don’t necessarily look like the typical golfer, how have you been perceived during your golf career so far?

[WL] Honestly there have been mixed emotions; sometimes I’m not taken seriously. There are times at private golf courses where it attracts a lot of attention. It’s tough.  But I get letters from kids and parents who identify with me because they see someone who looks like me reflected in them.  Inner city kids can identify with me. There are plenty of people who would love to see me on the big stage with my locs.

[OD] Has anyone ever suggested to you that your locs weren’t acceptable? Has your choice to wear locs been an issue?

[WL] Yes, I have had peers say to me “Hey man you have to cut the hair off.”  My hair doesn’t determine who I am as a person or as a golfer. If I ever cut my hair it will be a personal choice but not because I feel like I need to conform.

[OD] I attended my first PGA tournament last year when I went to the Valspar Championship.  While I did have fun, I have to say that I noticed how vastly underrepresented we were in attendance.   What are your thoughts on diversity in the sport of golf? What are some ways that it can be improved from recruiting more black players to having more black spectators?

[WL] Get our black youth into local youth programs like First Tee, starting at ages 6, 7 or 8. We have to teach them the game, the challenges, and the proper etiquette.  I believe if we have more relatable African American players on the television screens to captivate the young audience then more will be interested in playing and more people will come to be spectators.

[OD] Who are the golfers that you think have broken down the boundaries to make black golfers more acceptable?

[WL] Tiger Woods got it to be a main feature on television and he got me into watching. Of course there were the older guys who really had to battle against the south and discrimination that have come before him. You also have guys like Harold Varner who is on the tour now.

[OD] What is the biggest blessing that following your passion to pursue golf as a career has afforded you thus far?

[WL] I’m not where I want to be yet.  I’ve met a lot of great people. I’ve developed friendships with many great people through the game of golf.  It’s spiritually fulfilling. Every year I’m improving and meeting more and more people.  I think it’s part of the path that God has put forth for me. It’s a divine delay. I was making decent money in a corporate job but I wasn’t happy. I don’t miss it.  I’m happy with what I do now and I wake up every morning thinking about the game of golf.

[OD] Ok let’s switch gears a little bit. I remember seeing some amazing pictures of you at the Grand Canyon on Instagram. Do you consider yourself to be the outdoorsy type of guy? If yes, what do you love most about the outdoors?

[WL] I’m outdoorsy until I see a snake or an animal that I’m unfamiliar with.  I’m trying to be more open to that side of me, trying hiking, being one with the birds, etc.  I do make it a point to visit other sites when I travel. What I like about being outdoors is that I can take my mind off of the game for a while.

[OD] What other sports/activities interest you? Is there anything you haven’t tried but it’s on your bucketlist?  [i.e. kayaking, hiking, surfing, scuba etc.]

[WL] (Laughs) God didn’t answer my prayers on being taller, so basketball is out.  I’m in my lane.  Sky diving is on my list. I’m open to try other things. No water activities though, I can’t swim.

[OD] What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

[WL] Traveling out of the country and I didn’t know anyone.  Taking a cab ride to a destination and hoping I’m going to arrive in the right place is an adventure to me.

[OD] I know you’ve traveled all over the world. What is your favorite travel destination(s) to date?

[WL] Egypt — Cairo,Luxor, Alexandria. I enjoyed seeing the pyramids and they have beautiful golf courses in Egypt. I also enjoyed visiting Machu Picchu in Peru.

[OD] Where would you most like to visit that you haven’t had the opportunity to visit yet?

[WL] Thailand. I’d really like to visit Bangkok.

[OD] To what or to whom do you attribute your success up to this point?

[WL] Definitely my parents.  My mom and dad get behind me and root for me. The most beautiful part is that they see the dream with me. They are invested financially, emotionally, and spiritually too. If I have a bad day on the course they are affected by it as much as I am. I also have golf coaches that support me.  It’s a team.

[OD] What message would you give to other young boys and girls, particularly children of color, who may want to pursue an activity or a sport where they don’t see anyone else that looks like them?

[WL] Try it.  If you don’t see anyone else doing it, be the first.   There are times in our culture where we don’t pursue things for that reason.  Be different.  Be that light.  Step out and try it.  You never know how it’s going to impact your life or impact others.  Go against the grain!

That is fantastic advice from Mr. Lowery and it’s the kind of life I’m always preaching on the blog. We must do those things they say we cannot do. We don’t live for anyone’s comfort or approval. We go after the kind of life we want to live and we live our dreams!  I’m truly grateful to Will Lowery for taking the time to share with me and the Outdoorsy Diva audience. I look forward to following along as he continues to advance his professional golf career. The sky is the limit for this awesome, humble young man and I can’t wait to see where his work ethic, his perseverance, and his faith are going to take him. We are definitely #TeamLowery! Keep breaking boundaries and inspiring our youth Will.

You can learn about Will Lowery and keep up with his journey on his website: www.willlowerygolf.com. You can also follow him on twitter: @WillLoweryGolf.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/wlowerygolf.  To learn more about the achievements of African American professional golfers visit the timeline of African American achievement on the PGA website.

I would love your feedback! What did you think about the first Breaking Boundaries Spotlight?  Did you have any questions for Will Lowery?