Questions and Answers

What started as curiosity, in time, turned into a heart-felt desire for Atlanta native Quentin Sasser.

Playing with his friends in a field between Booker T. Washington High School and Pruitt Elementary gave way to piqued inquisitiveness after witnessing educator Howard Warren launching golf balls at a large oak tree some 180 yards away.

As the days went by Sasser, a multi-sport athlete, began to delve deeper into the golfing world which would ultimately set him on a path to the PGA of America.

Sasser’s story was passed on to me and upon reading a very detailed article by PGA of America Public Relations Lead, Jesse Dodson; I decided to reach out to Mr. Dodson to see if he could put me in contact with Mr. Sasser.

Mr. Dodson delivered my questions to Mr. Sasser and sent them back to me. I felt it beneficial to put this story out there for many reasons.

For one, how many people here in his hometown have heard of his journey from an open field to a PGA of America Golf Professional, teaching and growing the game?

Secondly, Mr. Sasser’s path wasn’t without its limitations since African Americans were not allowed to play golf in most areas throughout the state of Texas.

His breakthrough into the PGA of America stands as a testament to his unshakeable desire to succeed and his strong work ethic.

Tim Emmons: Mr. Sasser, what year did you graduate from Booker T. Washington High School?

Quentin Sasser: I didn’t graduate from Booker T. Washington. I did attend Pruitt Elementary which was part of Booker T. Washington. My mother moved me to Atlanta Elementary where I attended and later graduated from Atlanta High School.

TE: What sports did you participate in during your high school years?

QS: I played a ton of sports in junior high and high school. The sports I participated in were football, basketball, and track & field. I did participate in a little bit of baseball when I was in the 9th grade. I started playing baseball in 9th grade because that was one sport Black kids were not allowed to play when I was younger. But that’s another story.

TE: Coach Warren was one of my favorite educators while I was in school. How instrumental was he in igniting your passion for golf?

QS: It started when I was a kid playing at the old Booker T. Washington practice field and the surrounding playground. Almost every evening during the summer, Mr. Warren would be out there hitting balls to the same old oak tree, which was around 180 yards. That was my first interaction with golf because I didn’t watch golf on TV back then as a kid and I wasn’t allowed to play. Mr. Warren was the first African American I knew that played golf. The other kids and I would bet him a dollar that he couldn’t come close to hitting that tree. To our surprise he was able to hit the tree and we always ended up giving him that dollar, which later on he gave our money back.

When I entered my freshman year of high school. Mr. Warren was one of my teachers. He always had some kind of golf magazine on his desk and would talk about the game golf before class. Telling us stories about the Black golfers in the game, like Calvin Peete, Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder and so on. We could tell he really loved the game.

TE: How hard was your climb to the pro level?

QS: It was very hard. A major hardship on myself and a sacrifice for my kids. It was like walking down a dark country road for the first time with no lights. Can’t see anything around you, not knowing where to go. It was hard. I was making about $4.50 doing an internship at a golf course, leading to financial burden and wondering if I was going to afford this and make do. I was taking a leap of faith within myself and wondering if I made the right decision with pursuing golf at 32 while giving up on my own retail business, “Sass for Men.” I didn’t realize how much time and effort it took to learn how to play, which impacted myself and my children with not being able to spend much time with me.

While living in Atlanta, there was a time where Black people were not allowed to play golf, just like other places in Texas. Which resulted in us Black kids not being able play the game of golf on the high school golf team. The only golf course in town was private and didn’t allow Black people to play there. But you could work there as a cleaning person, cook, or bartender.

Mr. Warren had to drive 40 to 60 miles to Texarkana, Arkansas or Shreveport, Louisiana to play. When people ask me, “How did you get into golf?” I tell them about Mr. Warren when I was a kid. I was able to take a golf class at Texarkana Community College in the late 70’s after I graduated from high school.

I moved to Utah to play college football at Weber State that spring of 1983. That winter of 1984 I transferred to the University of Utah to continue playing football.

In 1989, I started playing golf with a friend of mine. I would borrow her grandfather’s clubs on the days we would go and play. My golf swing was HORRIBLE. My biggest challenge was hitting my driver, just like everyone else. When I would hit my driver, it was always a big slice (like a banana, ball moving left to right).

So, one day I decided to stop at a local golf store looking for help. That’s when I met the owner, John Rising, of Nevada Bob’s and his manager Bobby Harrison. Bobby had played golf all over the world including in the Marine Corps. He had some of the best teaching around. John asked me to step up in the hitting bay and take a few swings. He started talking to me about my weight shift. I had no idea what he was talking about. He made a funny comment “I thought all you Black guys had rhythm.” I said “No, I guess I’m around you white guys too long.” He started to laugh.

After this interaction with John and Bobby, we became great friends. Later, Bobby decided to take me under his wings to teach me how to play the game of golf. My most fond memories of learning the game from him are going to Bonneville Golf Course in Salt Lake City, Utah, and practicing with our shag bag every day in a patch area in between hole 7 and 11. Later, I was able to take private lessons from two local Utah PGA of America Golf Professionals.

As I continued growing in the game, I started caddying in local tour events. The first person I caddied for was on the Ben Hogan tour, Jerry Haas.

I was elected to membership in June 2006. Being the first African American PGA Member of the Utah Section PGA. I am one of 137 Black Members of the PGA of America in this country. Which is something I am very proud of as a Member.

Since being a Member of the Utah Section PGA. I was nominated for junior golf leader of the year many times until 2012 when I actually won the award.

TE: What do you enjoy most about the game? QS: What I enjoy the most is my ability to connect with people. I am able to teach life skills through golf. It is the truest connection to everyday life I have found, with learning how to persevere, being consistent, learning honesty and integrity. It also creates character, sportsmanship, adds respect for those around you and yourself, builds confidence and responsibility, courtesy, and allows room for good judgment. I believe that these qualities are the best way to be connected in life today. Being able to put smiles on people’s faces when they hit a good shot is a great joy, too.

Being able to teach others life skills through golf and make great connections along the way is one thing that drives Mr. Sasser each day.

The hurdles he overcame were numerous, the reward he obtained was gratifying.