At the young age of 14, Tim Mercer began disciplining his body and mind, training tirelessly to reach his full potential as an athlete. He started playing golf in his freshman year of high school. Though he had a rough start, he found golf exciting and, as he gained experience, saw himself becoming great, perhaps a pro. His ability to hit a golf ball a great distance came naturally.
During the summer of his sophomore year, he played golf from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and later became captain of his high school team (Roosevelt H.S.) in Gary, IN, playing the #1 spot. He was voted season and conference MVP. After graduation in 2008, he received a scholarship to Prairie State College and transitioned to Vincennes University for three years. He could not give golf the attention he needed and concentrated on graduating. After acquiring his Associate’s Degree, he regained the time, dedication, and focus necessary to play golf at the professional level.
Shortly afterward, he met someone who knew the golf coach at Chicago State University who was recruiting players for his team. The contact was made, resulting in him being awarded a scholarship to play for CSU in the spring of 2012. His college experience inspired him through ups and downs and made him realize the work it takes to become a professional golfer.
Being fully committed to playing professionally, he practiced five to six hours a day during the week, analyzing videos of his swing for perfection and hours of collaboration with his swing coach, Andy Walker. Hard work and patience eventually paid off as Tim became known as The Human Bugatti of Golf.
N’DIGO is delighted to share this interview with Tim Mercer and talk with The Human Bugatti of Golf about his celebrity clients and his plans for the future.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Tim Mercer?
Tim Mercer: I am a Pro Golfer. I’m disciplined and courageous.
In high school, what sports did you participate in?
I participated in Basketball, Football (Corner Back ) and played tennis.
How did you get involved in golfing?
I tried a new sport for fun and found I possessed a natural talent for it. Later I decided to take it seriously.
Did you have a mentor who encouraged or acknowledged your skills?
My mentor was my high school golf coach, Nathaniel Staten.
Did you face any adversity during your college years? How did you mentally prepare?
After taking three years off, I faced adversity in developing my game to compete at the D-1 level.
When did you decide to become a professional golfer?
I decided at the age of fifteen that I wanted to play professionally.
What was the first pro golf tournament you played in? How did you fare?
In my first pro event, I shot 76 and didn’t win, but I learned how to control my mental throughout a tournament round.
What did you learn from that tournament?
I learned that breathing techniques work to lower heart rate and enhance performance.
Describe your work ethic.
Ridiculously tenacious in discipline and focus.
What motivates you?
Creating wealth for my family and enjoying the competition, playing a sport that I thoroughly enjoy.
Why are you called “The Human Bugatti of Golf?”
Because of my rare ability to hit a golf ball over 200 mph.
Golf has historically had a reputation as a privileged game. What progress do you think is being made to improve diversity within the sport?
By teaching celebrities and influential minorities how to play golf, which impacts their followers/fans. This then will deepen the impact of the growth of minority participation in the game.
Are there any new rules that the United States Golf Association are proposing that affect players game?
Reducing the distance a golf ball can travel.
What’s one thing you would change about the world of golf?
More access to routes to play on your and coverage of minority golf professional tournaments
Is golf a game or sport?
Golf is a sport.
What percentage is golf mental? Physical?
Golf is 90% mental and 10% physical.
Who are your celebrity golf clients? How did you get put on?
Adrian Holmes, who portrays Uncle Phil in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot, Adrian Colbert, a free agent with the Chicago Bears, and Former Chicago Bears and Hall of Famer Otis Wilson. I taught rapper Offset how to swing a golf club during the Arizona Super Bowl weekend. I’ve obtained my clients through networking.
Who are your three favorite professional golfers, and why?
Adam Scott, Rory Mcllroy, and Tiger Woods.
I love their swing mechanics, and Tiger’s impact on the game has been influential as a man of color.
Do you think social media is helping the golf industry?
It has created a fun and relatable aspect to the game, which helps.
What advice would you give aspiring young Black golfers?
Get involved in the game to create more business opportunities and connect with the 1% of the world.
Best advice given to you?
If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, then what you want will become the sacrifice.
What are your career goals over the next five years?
Play on tour full time and develop into my maximum potential.
Where can N’DIGO readers follow you on social media?
Follow me on Instagram @Timmercer_com.
Sylvester Cosby is the Content Digital Editor and a Contributing Writer for N’DIGO.
