Portia Kenney
(February 21, 2013)–Portia Nicole Kenney is a brilliant 19-year-old with a real zest for life. Born in Oakland, California, she now resides in Vallejo where there is lots of sunshine and, most importantly, where she can play golf “all year round,” says the gleeful teen.
It’s quite a story as to how Portia got involved in golf, and she tells it well. “Originally I was acting in a local theater group when my older brother starting playing the game. When I tried golf (at age 13) I fell in love with it immediately and I haven’t stopped playing since.”
Within a year of starting to play Portia broke 80. To her astonishment, many of her friends and family began to discuss her talent seriously, “…unbeknown to me,” she adds with a twist of humor. “It’s as if people were already planning my long-term future in golf—and that was quite a surprise.”
Portia carries a 3.9 handicap and is a member of Sistas On The Links, officially: 1 year. Unofficially 2 years. The San Francisco Bay-based organization, comprised of approx.73 African American women, focuses on a myrad of objectives including helping women feel comfortable on the golf course, playing the game, rules and etiquette. Portio has also participated for four years with the Junior Golf Association of Northern California and Youth on Course.
Gaining an edge is her constant battle, “I mostly play golf with my father. He’s been playing for years, is an excellent supporter of me, and our competition gets pretty fierce out there,” she admits. Originally, it was her dad who instructed both her and her brother. Later, when she was 15, PGA Certified Swing Instructor Woody Winslow volunteered his time to help and served as her coach for a year. Since that time Portia’s dad has resumed her coaching.
” It was good….Something I desperately needed. The personal instruction helped me to understand basic golf fundamentals as well as how to ‘own’ my swing,” states the admitted ‘daddy’s girl’.
Blue Rock Springs golf course (Vallejo, Calif.) serves as Portia’s home course and even with her busy schedule she manages to playing three to four times a week.
“Golf is really fun. And I love going out and practicing for hours on end whether I’m with my dad or by myself.”
After practicing, Portia divulges that she can barely wait to get back out on the course to play again, to see how well she’s improved her skills.
Portia attends Napa Valley College Junior College where she is a diligent second-year student. Her ultimate desire: to transfer to Pepperdine University and earn a degree in mechanical engineering. In addition the full-time student works part-time as a golf coach with the First Tee of San Francisco at Harding Park. She’s been there for 6 months and the youth absolutely adore her—and rightfully so, she is a strong leader and excellent role model for all of them.
“I love the idea of being outside and playing a sport that I can play for the rest of my life. I also like the life lessons that golf has taught me and the students I coach,” says the music lover whose favorite group is Hillsong, a gospel Christian worship band.
During the 2012 golf season at Napa Valley College, Portia was second in the league posting an overall scoring average of 76.5. She completed the season successfully by ranking 3rd in the Northern California State Championship for the Big Eight Division, which is compiled of eight community college teams. This was significant and by placing third, Portia was able to progress to the Big Eight finals.
At the Big Eight State Championship (Temecula, Calif.) she finished in 11th place. In the Suttertown Classic she tied for 3rd. She also broke her school’s women’s single season low score record by shooting a 70. This stellar performance earned her the recognition of All Conference.
Along with these growing successes Portia has faced several challenges in playing golf. One has been that of finances. She is the third of seven children and declares it is becoming increasingly more difficult for her to finance herself in the game, and to keep with up ever-expanding golf needs. The other challenge involves health. An old high school injury to her left knee still gives her pain, but she plays despite it. Recently she underwent knee surgery to remove a bone fragment that had been the source of much of the discomfort, and the surgery went. Portia is resilient, refuses to let anything stop her. Now, back on track she is totally committed to playing at her best.
”My love for the game, combined with the support of my father and family, as well as my desire to win helps to keep me motivated. Plus Sistas on the Links and other members of the organization whom she affectionately refers to as her “Golf Grannies” are a constant source of inspiration.”
Last year, there were not enough women at her college to sustain a golf team, thus she did not play. She recalls how members of Sistas on the Links were very concerned about her future in golf. “Three of my ‘Golf Grannies’ gave up their time—and money–and enrolled as full- time students,” ensuring there were enough women to form a team, says Portia.
”I can never thank, Mrs. Donahue, Ms. Coffee, Ms. Marie and Ms. Carol enough for their sacrifices. Without these women, and my Lord and Savior Jesus Chris, my accomplishments this year would not have been possible.”
