Palm Springs to Remove “Racist” Trees from Golf Course

One California community is seeing its golf course’s most controversial landmarks finally being changed.

In Palm Springs, California the Tahquitz Creek Golf Course is one of the most popular places to play golf in the area. While the course is beautiful and draws amazing reviews, there is a particular part of the course that has bothered residents for years. Specifically, there is a large tree line and fence that follows the border of the course that has historically been used to separate the community.

The tree line that borders Tahquitz Creek has been dubbed “racist trees” through the years because the tree line was planted decades ago to separate the course from the historically black neighborhood that it borders. For the residents that live in that community, they see the tree line as bringing back old memories and archaic principles. Because of that, many have called for the trees to be removed, and they are finally getting their wish.

‘Racist’ golf trees to be removed from California golf course ⛳️🇺🇸😑➡️➡️➡️https://t.co/393N9eSarK pic.twitter.com/ThLKGMwrUB

— GolfPunkHQ (@GolfPunk_Mag) December 20, 2017

Many residents feel quite strongly about this issue.

“I truly believe they were planted to segregate the black neighborhood from the ritzy community over there, and that shouldn’t stand anymore,” resident Cathie Fox told the paper. And a city councilman J.R. Roberts, apologized to residents for not acting on this issue sooner. “You asked why it took us this long,” Roberts said at a meeting. “I can’t answer that. But guess what? We’re here now.”

There have been many issues with race when it comes to golf over the years, especially looking at some of the more historic courses like Augusta. The course had previously refused entrance to women golfers along with minorities but recently changed their rules to allow anyone to become a member. Hopefully, removing the trees from the Tahquitz Creek course will have a similar impact for local golfers.

While this issue likely persists in other courses around the country, it is good to see that cities and courses are adapting to the modern day. Hopefully, we will see other locations follow in the footsteps of Palm Springs.

Cover Photo via Twitter h/t GolfPunkHQ