September 7th 2024.
The Ebony Ladies Golf League is an organization dedicated to promoting and diversifying the sport of golf. President Tracy Raoul, who has been in this role since 2021, recently spoke to CBS News about their mission and their efforts to welcome new members into their empowering community. As they celebrated their 50th anniversary in March, the organization continued to encourage women of color to embrace the game of golf.
According to Raoul, golf is a fantastic sport that not only has physical benefits but also challenges players mentally. She believes that being able to let go of a bad stroke and move on to the next one is a valuable skill that can be applied in all areas of life. Despite the initial intimidation that newcomers may feel, Raoul and her Chicago-based group are determined to break down barriers and help more women gain the confidence to step onto the course.
The Ebony Ladies Golf League has seen a surge in new members since 2022, going from 46 to 81 total members. As Raoul proudly shared, many of these women had never picked up a golf club before joining the league. She hopes to continue growing the game and seeing more African American women playing and enjoying it.
However, the journey to inclusivity in golf has not been an easy one. As Raoul explained, for a long time, women of color were not allowed to play the game at all. They were limited to caddying and, if they were lucky enough to play, had to use subpar equipment. It wasn't until 1910 when four men, led by Walter Speedy, sued the Park District for the right to play at the public course, Jackson Park. This landmark case resulted in the men being able to play, marking a significant moment in the history of golf.
But it wasn't until much later that women were finally allowed to play on the courses, and even then, women of color faced additional obstacles. Raoul shared that she is encouraged by the trend of more young golfers bringing Black girls and boys to the course. She believes that this will help diversify the future of the game, and she is hopeful for what's to come.
As the CBS interview came to an end, the Ebony Ladies Golf League called for more members and left some pieces of advice from their founding and integral members. Eleanor Fox emphasized that women can do anything that their male counterparts can, and sometimes even better. And Kathy Davis reminded everyone that the Ebony Ladies Golf League is there to support and help anyone who wants to play golf.
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