We Hooked Another One

Actor, Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? & Meet the Browns

Lamman Rucker is best known for his roles as Sheriff Troy and Will in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? and Meet The Browns. Beyond the silver screen, this Duquesne University graduate is an avid fan of basketball, baseball, soccer and football. Yet, golf was never something that piqued his interest.

“Whenever it was on television, I would either turn the channel or fall asleep,” Lamman recollects about his early impressions of golf. “It was boring, mainly for older people and never seemed to be geared towards African-Americans. Plus, I saw golf as a subservient game. Each golfer having a caddy created this odd psychological dynamic I never liked. It reminded it me of the old South.”

It comes as no surprise that many people have little connection to the game of golf. The sport was once a vehicle for sustaining long-standing inequalities. The game’s elitist atmosphere and racism silently perpetuated the blaring tones heard in George Wallace’s unyielding call for segregation. Since Charlie Sifford’s landmark obtainment of a PGA card in 1969 and Tiger Woods’ victory at Augusta in 1997, golf courses and the perception of the game have changed. Ironically, it took the actions of two tennis stars to make Lamman take notice of the game.
“Arthur Ashe and Yannick Noah got me into golf,” says Lamman. “They were ambassadors for tennis and I’ve always respected both of them.” Ashe’s quiet demeanor and invincibility on the court mirrored his humanitarian work away from the game. Noah’s artistry at the net and flamboyant showmanship won him the 1983 French Open in memorable form. “Once I saw that they embraced (golf) for the things that I never saw, it opened my eyes a little bit.”

Lamman’s first experience with golf turned into a crash course in basic physics. “I saw that you couldn’t just hit the ball any way,” he states. “You just can’t rely on physical strength.” The fact that one has to concentrate and ponder one’s shots carefully immediately appealed to Lamman. However, he didn’t see this as golf’s only winning attribute. “I think it’s a good way to network in the business.” Lamman reflects. “Plus, it’s a good way to meditate.”

Since his fledgling days on the course, Lamman has honed his skills to the degree that he’s now a regular at celebrity tournaments. In February he participated in the NAACP Image Awards Celebrity Golf Challenge at Braemar Country Club. Though Lamman loved being on the course, he loved the cause even more. And it didn’t hurt that The Green Magazine orchestrated the event. As a matter of fact, our publisher Rafael Martinez had the opportunity to meet Lamman.

“He couldn’t have been a nicer person, with a bigger heart.” Martinez said. “He’s doing great things for humanity with his work on HIV through the Magic Johnson Foundation. He had a true intensity for learning the game and was confident that the game would help him in future endevarous that would be critical to his way of life and career.”

Make no mistake, Lamman’s career is on the rise. He has starring roles in the indie comedy I’m Through With White Girls, the recently released drama Ball Don’t Lie and the poignant romance The Greatest Song. 2009 looks to be a great year on the screen and the green for Lamman Rucker.