Malcolm Gillian, third from left, at our Foundation’s fundraiser at The Bridge in August.
Malcolm Gillian — a Foundation supporter, Learning Center board member and avid golfer with a law degree and an MBA — sets a great example for our young men. He recently fielded some questions from Executive Director and Co-Founder Farrell Evans.
FE: You support the Foundation and the Learning Center on multiple levels as an ambassador, Learning Center board member and with financial giving. Why is the work we’re doing so important to you?
MG: The Bridge Golf Foundation combines two of my life passions — helping young men of color reach their potential and playing golf. I discovered the game of golf while I was in grad school, and it’s proven to be a huge benefit to me both personally and professionally. If playing the game provided so many benefits to my life, I knew this program would have a real and lasting impact on the young men who are lucky enough to participate in it. Our young men would not have the opportunity to get this level of golf instruction, character development and STEM education if not for this program. I’m confident each of the young men will go on to be successful and be role models in their community as a result of this training and development. That is why I am so passionate about it.
FE: In many ways, you are a great role model for our young men as a former soccer player at the University of Maryland, where you obtained law and MBA degrees. Who were the early role models who shaped you into the person you have become?
MG: My father. I always looked up to my father and tried to emulate him. My father’s circle of friends and the other men and women in my family had an impact on shaping who I am, but my father was my role model. My high school and college soccer coaches also had a significant impact on my development as a person and an athlete — I learned a lot about leadership and building teams from both of them. I feel enormously privileged that my dad has always been an integral part of my life and hope to share some of the lessons I learned from him.
FE: Tell us about the organization of African-American golfers that you belong to?
MG: I am a Member of group called the The Original Tee Golf Club (OTGC). It’s a close-knit group of about 30 brothers mostly from the entertainment industry in NYC. We have been playing together for the last 10-15 years at courses all over the tri-state area. You can always get a match with at least a few guys any day of the week in the summer.
We have our Club Championship at the end of every golf season and host a charity tournament every July. We also play against a few other local African-American golf clubs — the Heavy Hitters, The Ballstrikers and Harambee. We play inter-club matches a few times a year and it’s always great fellowship, laughs and golf. I also go on some great golf trips with another amazing group of brothers mostly from the finance world, which I would loosely call the “Sifford Group.” We’ve gone to Bandon Dunes and Cabot Links in the last few years and have a trip to Whistling Straights planned for this summer.
FE: How much does it enrich society and the game of golf to bring more people of color into the sport who are prepared to be leaders in their communities and ambassadors of the game?
MG: Just as diversity enriches society, education, business and every aspect of life — I think diversity is critical to growing the game of golf. Diversity of people, ideas and approaches always enriches any experience or endeavor. We all know that golf is experiencing challenges with growing the game, and that’s due in part to not truly embracing diverse people and ideas. Not only is it imperative to get more people of color interested in the game, but also to make it more affordable, accessible and enjoyable. Also, I think it’s clear that the power of Tiger Woods, a breakthrough star who significantly grew every aspect of the game of golf, was in part due to his diversity and unique story along with his amazing ability. He was not just another kid from the country club. We need more players like Tiger who can inspire young people of color to pick up golf.
FE: How have the technology and teaching in the Learning Center helped your game?
MG: They have helped my swing and game tremendously. I was accustomed to banging balls into the net at Chelsea Piers. Not learning or improving anything. But with the incredible PGA staff at the Center and the TrackMan simulators, my lessons and practice sessions have gone to the next level. The data and insight you glean from TrackMan (with the pro’s help, of course) are incredibly helpful. The numbers and data help me get smarter about key elements of my swing.
FE: What’s your dream foursome?
MG: My Dad, President Obama and Michael Jordan, I think. Although I may pick one of my boys over MJ.
FE: What happens first? Donald Trump releasing his taxes or Tiger Woods winning his 15th major.
MG: Definitely Tiger winning a major, which I doubt will ever happen. That guy in the White House (45) will never release his taxes.