Leslie K.Tave-Banks
(July 12, 2012)–Leslie K. Tave-Banks moved back to Los Angeles following the passing of her mother. Being back in the family home she enjoys the great location and nearby freeway access that’s close to just about any golf course in her Southern California area.
“I love the weather, the fact that you can snow ski and go to the beach all in the same day,” says Leslie. “The fact that there is no ‘down’ season for golf; we can play all year long.”
Leslie learned the game of golf from her father. He was a member of the famous Cosmopolitan Golf Club, one of the oldest clubs in Southern California. She was the only girl in their family and had two older brothers.
“I am glad the boys did not want to play golf. This gave me precious time with my father, who I loved very much and still miss a lot,” continues Leslie. “I wish he could see me play now!”
In 1958, when she was growing up, all the clubs in Southern California were members of the Western States Golf Association (WSGA).
“Each member club had their own juniors—I was 12 years old and one of the Junior golfers of Cosmo Golf Club,” says Leslie who grounded her golfing skills early with the help of two prominent African American instructions: Angelique Johnson, a LPGA teaching professional, and Gale James, also a teaching professional. They both provided Leslie with private instruction and aided in her development. No doubt that this exposure to black professionals in the game during the fifties made a strong and positive impact on Leslie’s young mind.
“Although I didn’t play for a number of years, once I started again, it was as if I had never stopped—the gift of love for golf was still there! And I remembered the special bond that I had with my father,” recalls Leslie. “Do not pass up the opportunity to spend as much time as you can with someone you love.”
At 66, the divorcee with one son carries a 19.9 handicap and has been a member of the Tee Divas and Dudes Golf Club for the past 8 years. She also belongs to the Western Women’s Golf Club at Chester Washington Golf Course (3 years) and a founding member of Maggie’s Ladies Par 3 Golf Club at the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course. The course is a sanctioned “First Tee” facility and was named for the fabulous, groundbreaker Maggie Hathaway. Hathaway, who died in 2001 at age 90, appeared in a number of Hollywood films, was a stand-in for Lena Horne, but is most revered by golfers for the many demonstrations that she led demanding for blacks to be allowed to play at Western Avenue Golf Course.
Before retiring, Leslie worked as a group claim manager for Prudential Health Care. She now likes to relax and golf on a regular basis with a great group of friends, teeing off in the mornings, two or three times a week.
Chester Washington Golf course (El Segundo, CA) is Leslie’s home course and it was recently named as the Home Course of the WSGA. “It is the mecca for African Americans in golfers in Los Angeles. Many golfers who are trying to get into the PGA Tour played here on a regular basis,” she says. “And some of the older guys, who were original members, still meet there every day.” The WSGA recently held is highly popular annual Championship this past June 21 – 23, 2012, in Reno, Nevada.
“I enjoy the early morning tee times, fresh air, the people you meet and the exercise. The Challenge is between you, hitting a little white ball, the course and in doing it well.” I’ve made great enduring friendship through the game of golf.
Leslie knows her stuff on the course and isn’t shy when it comes to a challenge. She has participated in the Martha Hightower Golf fund raiser for The First Tee of South Los Angeles and also entered the 2012 Northwest Umatilla Shoot-out in Portland, Oregon. Last year she was a winner in her flight at the WSGA Championships in Denver, Colorado!
Despite her biggest challenge: the mental part of the game and being able to focus for 18 holes and finish; nothing can keep Leslie away from golf.
“My mother always said when you start getting older, do not stop moving. The game of golf continues to make me happy every day.”
