As-Ams in Sports

According to the Racial and Gender Report card, Asian-Americans make up less than 3% of athletes in all major sports leagues in the United States. Despite the numbers or perhaps because of it, many Asian-American athletes become the face of Asian-American culture in the US, often representing and/or challenging stereotypes and ideas that are associated with Asianness.” As a group we delved into the roles that Asian-American athletes play in (de)constructing Asian-American identity. Specifically, we looked at the ways Asian-American athletes have an impact on popular culture and not only the Asian-American community, but the American community as a whole.

Golf

ANTHONY KIM is a professional American golfer born in Los Angeles, CA and currently residing in Dallas, TX. He attended La Quinta High School where he played golf and thereafter received a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma. He played at the university level for three years where he was reigned a 3-time All-American. Kim is Korean-American.

Anthony Kim turned professional in 2006 and came off to a strong start by breaking into the top 100 in the Official Golf World Rankings in 2007 with four top 10 finishes during his rookie season on the PGA Tour. In May of 2008, Kim won his first PGA Tournament at the Wachovia Championship defeating former British Open champion, Ben Curtis. His second PGA title came at the AT&T National, after defeating Fredrik Jacobson. With this second PGA win, Kim became the first American under 25 to win twice in one year since Tiger Woods did it in 2000. Kim also played a crucial role in the United State’s victory in the Ryder Cup. In April 2010, Kim won the Shell Houston Open, becoming only the fifth player in 30 years to have won three times on the PGA Tour before the age of 25.

While Kim is Korean and noticeably so, society and the media have seemed to pay attention to Kim more as an athlete (golfer) than as an “Asian” or “Asian” athlete. He has clearly transcended his own race in the golfing world and with his large success, especially early in his career, the media seemed to have put race in the backseat and pay attention towards his accomplishments on and off the field.

The Distribution Effect has obvious implications in many American sports, but in golf? Not so much. Golf is interesting in that it is one (if not) the most ethnically diverse professional sports played in America. Asians make up at least 13% of golfers today and in the LPGA, Asian women have been dominating both in presence and success for the past decade. Due to such diversity within the sport of golf, it is clear to see why Asians continue to make a presence in the Tour; and with the success of many Asian golfers such as Anthony Kim, Y.E. Yang, and K.J. Choi, Asian golfers have started to become recognized more for their skill rather than just their race.

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