Detroit native Rico Razo loves golf. For him, it’s not just about the friendly competition and being in lush and beautiful surroundings, it’s building community, legacy, and learning some great life lessons. That is why his collective, Par Cinco, is creating a golf clinic in Clark Park in Southwest, Detroit.
Razo’s history of playing golf goes way back to the age of 12, where he was taught to play by the male figures in his life like his father and stepfather. That experience allowed him to see the importance of stepping out of his comfort zone of playing soccer or baseball, the most common sports played in the Latino community.
As the Director of Bridging Neighborhoods for the City of Detroit, Razo’s push to revitalize golf in Detroit stems from knowing there is not a lot of Black and Brown representation in the game. And with support from his close friends, Razo plans to change that narrative.
“We wanted to create a golf brand that kind of speaks to our identity and something that may be appealing to people who are Hispanic and look like us,” Razo said.
Thus, the idea for a Clark Park golf clinic was created.
Razo created Par Cinco a few years ago after he and other Latino professionals began to get together to play golf and build community. The experience of Par Cinco led him to create a golf clinic specifically for Southwest Detroit youth to push themselves beyond their limits, and experience golf at leisure as a part of the community.
Golf isn’t cheap and Razo understands that cost can hinder a person’s commitment and ability to try the sport out altogether. He doesn’t want a lack of finances to discourage anyone from playing golf.
“If you don’t have the equipment, you’re never gonna’ play. And sometimes equipment can be costly. So we want to make sure that we try to break down that barrier by collecting golf equipment and putting sets together,” Razo said.
This year Par Cinco will hold a golf outing to support the new golf clinic in Clark Park. They will be taking donations of all kinds, including clubs, uniforms, shoes, gloves, golf balls, and any and all other golf necessities. This will not only break that cost barrier but also ensure that golf in Southwest Detroit is here to stay.
“We want to make sure that we create that legacy and really continue to do it so that it becomes a sport that kids in the community know they can play and get involved in,” Razo said.
In an effort to engage the whole community to help make the sport accessible to youth, supporters can take old, used, or new golf equipment that you or friends and family might have and donate it at this year’s Par Cinco event. They will be accepting golf-related materials of all kinds.
The event, Par Cinco Golf Scramble, will take place at River Rouge Park Golf Course, located in Northwest Detroit at 11701 Burt Rd, on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Sign-up is at 7:30 AM, with the Scramble starting at 9 AM.
Juanita Zuniga is a graduate of Kalamazoo College with a degree in Anthropology/Sociology and English. She was born and raised in Southwest Detroit and still resides there today. She is very passionate about her community and hopes to serve her community through writing. Juanita is a Latin history and music enthusiast in her spare time. She is also a Cancer sun, Libra moon, and Cancer Rising.
