Hailey Fisher, “Swinging And Hoping”

Hailey’s swing has future champion written all over it. 

If Hailey’s mental skills are anywhere near her physical skills, she’s a lock-in to do the LPGA some justice.  Watching Hailey’s swing and follow through convinced me that somebody, or anybody, in the African American, or Corporate America Community, need to get behind this young lady and others at the Drew Charter School in Atlanta and give them whatever support they need. 

If Hailey’s game is anywhere as good as her swing, she’s on her way to big things on the professional stage.  Those of you out there with deep, deep pockets and—you know who you are— do the homework on this talented prodigy.  I doubt if you’ll regret it.  Her parents Paul and Heidi Fisher deserves a huge round of applause.  Hailey went from being somewhat unknown to an overnight celebrity.  Having photo ops with Bobby Jones grandson, Robert Tyre Jones, IV and PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan, along with PGA Pros, media members and Atlanta, Ga. elites.  Hailey is a great role model for her peers and the African American community as a whole. 

From what I can see the movers and shakers of Atlanta, East Lake Golf Club, PGA Tour, and Drew Charter School got their act together.  They’re making a huge difference in the lives of many disenfranchised youth.  Putting their money where their mouths are, so to speak.  As of July 1, 2019 the First Tee of Atlanta and the First Tee of East Lake combined to become the First Tee of Metro Atlanta.  The First Tee of Metro Atlanta is a charitable beneficiary of the TOUR Championship.  Following the 2018 TOUR Championship, tournament officials announced that over $3 million was donated from the 2018 event, with more than $30 million invested in local nonprofits since the event was first staged at East Lake Golf Club in 1998. 

The East Lake Foundation has helped transform one of the nations worst public housing projects into a thriving community.  East Lake has been such a success that “Purpose Built Communities” has replicated the model in 16 communities in the country, soon to be 17, starting in the Bayou District of New Orleans after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  Their motto is “Golf With A Purpose”.  Plus the $45 million Drew Charter Junior and Senior Academy is an inner-city school in what was once Atlanta’s worst neighborhood.  A pitching wedge away from the East Lake Golf Club. the home course of golf legend Bobby Jones which has consistently hosted the Tour Championship since 2004.   For those of you who do not know, the Drew Charter School is named in honor of African American Pioneer Dr. Charles R. Drew, inventor of the Blood Plasma Bag, who conducted successful research in the field of blood transfusions.  The Drew Charter School has done a remarkable job educating and preparing our youth.  

Demographically, the Drew Charter School is 98 percent African American.  Their boy’s golf team was the first all African American golf team to win a state championship in Georgia.  The Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA), established since 1916, provides a Youth On Course Program, where youngsters can play golf all over the state of Georgia for a fee of $5.00, or less.  The GSGA Junior Golf Tour, around since 1974, serving ages 5-18, who have not yet started college.  More than 350 golf clubs and 75,000 people are involved.  They all have one thing in common: a love of golf.  

The Charlie Yates Golf Course and the John A. White Park Golf Course, both 9-holes have been instrumental in providing the training facilities to accommodate these aspiring young golfers.  Class A PGA member Jeff Dunovant, Marvin Hightower, Joe Weems, Kenan Reese, and many others do a fantastic job of coaching and mentoring these enthusiastic youth.  Hampton University has also produced several outstanding alumn including Jakari Harris,
the Hampton University Women’s Golf Captain who has she received the Prestigious George A. Christenberry Award.  This award is presented to 10 student-athletes each year who have the highest GPA.  Jakari has a 4.06 GPA in Computer Science. 

Hats off to the state of Georgia for a round well played.  Two iconic golf venues, Augusta National and East Lake, who were not known for their liberal views regarding race relations, particularly during the Jim Crow Era of the segregated south, today, both venues have stepped up their game and have become front runners when it comes to embracing the underprivileged and least likely.  This is evident at Augusta National, with its inclusion of youth involvement during Masters Week and, at East Lake during the Tour Championship.  Ironically as it is, the legendary Bobby Jones was a major player and founder at both institutions.  My, how things have changed.  Nevertheless, we’ll take the ball and run with it.  From the GSGA to the First Tee of Metro Atlanta, I say job well done. Congratulations to the state of Georgia.