A Texas golf course has launched an investigation after a group of Black golfers discovered the N-word etched in the sand while enjoying a round over the Memorial Day weekend.
An image of the racial slur was posted on Instagram on Sunday.
“Racism while golfing…” a woman captioned the post.
In the post, which was later taken down, the woman included a picture of “N-----” spelled out in a freshly manicured sand dune at Frisco Lakes Golf Club in the Dallas area. She wrote that her dad was golfing earlier that morning with a “group of other black men” when he saw three teenagers scribbling in the sand.
“I’m so disappointed and upset that we are still encountering these things today,” she wrote. “And this is not the first time this has happened on a course in Frisco.”
“I hope Frisco Lakers takes this seriously and takes action against the teens who did it. The GM of Frisco Lakes is black too and is handling the situation. This is not a reflection of the people who work at the golf course, but the kids/parents in this community. However I felt that this still needed to be shared for awareness as this has happened too many times in this city.”
Frisco Lakes General Manager Linroy “L.C.” Costly, who is Black, told The Daily Beast that the situation is under investigation.
“We go through stuff, as Black people,” he said. “Sometimes, it doesn’t resonate because it’s not direct… But this one is real close.”
He said he was thankful the woman posted about the incident on Instagram so more people can understand the prevalence of racism. This case, in particular, he said “hits home” for him.
In a request for comment, the woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Daily Beast that neither she nor her family were doing interviews because of how respectful employees with the golf course were responding to the ordeal.
“Definitely learned behavior,” one social media user commented under the woman’s post. “So sad.”
“Another reason books and history MUST stay in schools. And parents MUST take responsibility,” another Instagram user wrote. “I’m so sorry your father, his companions, and anyone else witnessed this, however sorry is never enough when hatred is involved.”
Another golf course in Frisco Lakes recently gained attention for racial slurs targeting Black golfers. In 2021, two Black men said they found the N-word written near the sixth hole at The Trails of Frisco Golf Club, according to local outlet WFAA Dallas. One of the men also claimed an employee referred to him as a “boy,” a derogatory term historically used to diminish the status of Black men.