Coach Gary Grandison and the ALABAMA STATE Golf Team
(April 19, 2018)
In many advertising media today you have seen and heard the phrase LG,”Life’s ’Good”, well for me it now means LaJean Gould and her team at the Women in Golf Foundation Inc. in Atlanta. LaJean is the founder and president of WIGF whose mission is to enhance the lives of females in collegiate golf programs by providing opportunities that enhance their skills, career awareness and ability to succeed. April 9 -11 she and her team hosted the 24thWomen’s Collegiate Golf Championship at Whitewater Creek Country Club in Fayetteville, GA. The seven teams and 35 golfers plus coaches and numerous community members participated in the workshop entitled “Job Readiness in the Age of Technology.”
The workshop featured panelists from a variety of backgrounds facilitated by Charlene Fitzpatrick. The outstanding panel included Anne Quiello, Professional Trainer and Coach, Fran Shockley, Manager of Delivery and Design from Delta Airlines, Kamille Ramos, Manager of Diversity and Talent Acquisition at the United States Golf Association, Lauren Shelly, Director of Recruiting and Special Events at the American Junior Golf Association, Matasha Burr, Director of Sales, Georgia/South Carolina Market of AT&T and Rachel Melendez, PGA WORKS, program specialist with PGA REACH.
Panelists: Lauren Shelly (AJGA), Kamille Ramos (USGA), Anne Quiello, Rachel Melendez-Mabee (PGA REACH), Matasha Burr (AT&T) and Fran Shockley (DELTA )
The collegians were provided insights and practical applications on how to prepare for and succeed in the workplace and also participated in an exercise called Speed Interviewing. The workshop also featured Stephen Hamblin, Executive Director of the American Junior Golf Association as the guest speaker. Special guests attending the event also included Michael Cooper, Tampa, Fla, Chairman World Golf Foundation Golf 2020 Diversity Initiatives Task Force and Craig Kirby of Washington DC, Founder and President of Golf My Future My Game and Chairman of the Workforce Subcommittee of the Task Force and myself, Chairman of the Recreational Play Subcommittee. 
RELATED ARTICLE: Dr. Michael Cooper Appointed Chairperson, Golf 20/20 Diversity Task Force
After the workshop, the golfers got in some practice and commenced with a scramble shotgun start of over 26 foursomes consisting of community and business leaders with a collegiate golfer on each team. While all teams competed well, the winning team posted a scorching 16 under 56.
These golfers are listening intently to every word!
(l-r) Jim Beatty, Lizabeth Randles of Hampton University and Jemal Everett.
I had the privilege of playing with LizabethRandles from the HamptonUniversityy golf team and Jemal D. Everett, Tax Accountant from Atlanta. Our threesome was able to post a respectable 65 due in large part to the short game touch provided by Lizabeth, who also finished 23rd in the individual competition.
LaJean Gould (front row, center) and The Women In Golf Foundation team
It was a joy to visit with her and the other young ladies to learn about their life as college golfers. It was quite revealing to learn that the transition from high school to college golf was more technical and analytical that many had expected but they were adjusting to the demands of competitive play.
Renee Powell Cup
The official competition for the Renee Powell Cup, named after the 2nd African American to play on the LPGA, began the next day with seven teams traveling to compete. After a day of competition, all were able to relax and unwind in the evening with Linnet Carty of the PGA of America who served as Mistress of Ceremonies and entertainment provided by Comedian, Jessica “It’s all Good” Williams and Saxophonist Keven Shepherd.
The second day of the competition concluded with Alabama State defending its title and was crowned the overall champion followed by North Carolina A&T and Texas Southern University. It is interesting to note that Alabama State placed 5 golfers in the top 11. Coach Gary Grandison must be doing something right!
The Golf Industry needs to thank LaJean Gould and the entire Women In Golf Foundation and its Board of Directors, Advisory Board and Committees for its tireless work in planning and implementing a first-class program.
RELATED ARTICLE: Alabama State University Wins 24th Annual Women’s Collegiate Championship
Not ones to rest on their laurels, the Women in Golf Foundation is taking applications now for its 2018 Youth Golf Leadership Summer Camp for beginners ages 8 -18 and College Golf Prep Camp for ages 13 and older. As a final word, I would urge people to get involved with the Women in Golf Foundation or a similar program in their respective area that promote and support player development and competition. Life is indeed Good but it can be better! See you on the next nine.
James R. Beatty is Founder of NCS International, an Omaha, Nebraska-based company that providers of an array of economic development services. He serves as Executive Editor at the African American Golfer’s Digest and on the Golf 20/20 Diversity Task Force.
