LPGA*USGA Girls Golf eLeader
2018
I started playing golf at 7 years old and was introduced to the game by a family friend.
Golf is a great sport to play and meet new people, it also gives life lessons; for example, I’ve learned to persevere from a bad hole and push through and do great on the next hole. I’ve also learned how to have confidence in myself and my swing. Perseverance and confidence are two life lessons I’ve learned that I can apply on and off the golf course.
The golf industry has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with a more diverse group playing and enjoying the game more than ever before. However, the sport has been continuously growing at a slower rate among African American women and girls. This can be attributed to expensive club membership fees, lack of resources, and support for inexperienced golfers. I feel golf could be more welcoming if we had more introductory programs to get golf clubs into African American women’s and girls’ hands. Golf could also be more welcoming by making it easier for African American girls to access the sport at an earlier age. For instance, in school P.E., we are taught how to play sports like basketball, football, soccer, etc. If golf was introduced at a younger age, it might spark an interest for African American girls to continue to play.
If you’re nervous, push through the nerves; if you’re scared, push through the fear. Don’t let your fear of failure hold you back; there’s a reason for everything.
My dream foursome would be Danielle Kang, Jin Young Ko, and Inbee Park.
“Forget the last shot. It takes so long to accept that you can’t always replicate your swing. The only thing you can control is your attitude toward the next shot.” - Mark McCumber
