For Sheila Washington, golf is much more than a game played between the first tee and the 18th green. It is a platform for connection, mentorship, wellness, business relationships and community service.
A Los Angeles native who proudly identifies as a product of South Central Los Angeles, Washington has built an accomplished career spanning sports media, corporate sales, entrepreneurship, real estate, insurance and philanthropy. Today, from her home in Las Vegas, Nevada, she is using that diverse background to create opportunities for others through Golfing Queen LLC, the Golfing Queen Foundation and the All Sports Reunion.
Proudly Rooted in South Central Los Angeles
Washington was born and raised in Los Angeles, where her experiences growing up in South Central helped establish the values that would influence her professional and personal journey. She credits her childhood community with teaching her the importance of family, determination and resilience.
“What I loved most about growing up in South Central Los Angeles was the sense of community, family, resilience, and determination,” Washington said. “Growing up there helped shape my work ethic and taught me that where you begin does not determine where you can go in life.” Those lessons became a foundation for a career that would take her well beyond Los Angeles.
Washington attended California State University, Northridge, where she majored in Radio, Television, and Film. While in college, she gained practical experience through an internship at a Los Angeles radio station. Her professional career subsequently included radio and television, sports media and corporate sales. Her sports-media résumé includes work involving NBC, CBS, BET and the Associated Press. She also covered two Olympic Games and spent four years traveling with the Raiders on road trips. Those experiences gave Washington a firsthand understanding of the power of sports to bring together people from different backgrounds.
Her entrepreneurial career has been equally diverse. She holds real estate licenses in California, Nevada and Hawaii, along with insurance licenses, and has developed a professional portfolio that combines business, communications and sports. At 63, Washington continues to demonstrate that reinvention, purpose and service can become more meaningful with time.
A Golf Introduction at Westchester Park
Washington’s introduction to golf came when she was 19 years old, when her cousin Mike Haynes introduced her to the sport at Westchester Park in Los Angeles. Haynes, a former NFL star and Pro Football Hall of Famer, became an important early influence in her golf journey. “I was first exposed to golf when I was 19 years old. I would go to Westchester Park in Los Angeles, where my cousin Mike Haynes, a Hall of Famer, introduced me to the game,” Washington recalled.
The introduction was more than simply an opportunity to learn how to hit a golf ball. It became the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the game. Washington frequently played and visited the driving range with Haynes, receiving her first professional instruction from him. She also enjoyed playing with her friend Martica, creating memories that remain part of her golf story.
In more recent years, Washington has continued to develop her game through training with Las Vegas-based PGA coach and trainer Bill Rice. Washington describes herself as a recreational golfer rather than someone focused on maintaining a competitive handicap. “I am a recreational golfer. I simply love going to the golf course, taking in the beautiful greens, and enjoying a beautiful day of golf,” she said.
That philosophy is reflected in her broader approach to golf. For Washington, the game’s greatest value lies not only in competition but also in the relationships and experiences created around it.
Golfing Queen and a Purpose Beyond the Game
Washington is the founder of Golfing Queen LLC and the Golfing Queen Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through the foundation, she uses golf as a vehicle for empowering women, introducing young people to the game, encouraging mental wellness and creating connections among sports, business and local communities. Her approach reflects the evolution of golf as a platform for personal development.
While the game teaches patience, discipline and concentration, it also provides a natural setting for networking and relationship building. Washington’s background in sports media and business has positioned her to bring together audiences that might not otherwise interact. She has become particularly interested in creating opportunities for young people. By introducing children to golf and providing access to positive role models, she hopes to show them possibilities that extend well beyond the golf course.
Her work also emphasizes women. As a businesswoman, entrepreneur and founder, Washington understands the importance of creating environments where women can develop relationships, gain confidence and discover new professional opportunities.
The Birth of the All Sports Reunion
That philosophy ultimately led Washington to create the All Sports Reunion. The event was established to bring legendary athletes, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, business leaders, families and community members together through golf. The concept is intentionally broader than a traditional golf tournament.
Washington envisioned an experience where sports legends could interact with business leaders, where entrepreneurs could develop relationships and where families and young people could become part of a larger community. “The vision goes far beyond a golf tournament. It is about relationships, fellowship, business opportunities, giving back, and creating opportunities for the next generation,” Washington explained.
The 2026 event marks the Second Annual All Sports Reunion, scheduled for October 17–19 in Las Vegas. The centerpiece will be the 2026 All Sports Reunion Legends & Executives Golf Invitational, which will be played at the scenic Bali Hai Golf Club on the Las Vegas Strip.
The All Sports Reunion is designed primarily for business professionals and corporate executives who have long wanted an opportunity to play golf alongside sports legends. Participants can expect athletes representing sports including the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball, along with entrepreneurs, executives and members of the broader community. The event’s name reflects its philosophy: it is intended to bring together people from across the sports world rather than focus on one particular league or discipline. For Washington, that diversity is part of the attraction.
“The mindset is simply to bring everyone together, whether they play golf or not,” she said.
That inclusive approach distinguishes the event from many traditional celebrity golf tournaments. The emphasis is not simply on who can shoot the lowest score, but on what can happen when people share the same environment and have opportunities to build relationships. Golf provides the common language.
Kids and Family Day Adds a Community Mission
One of the most significant additions to the 2026 All Sports Reunion is Kids and Family Day, an extra day dedicated specifically to giving back. Washington and the Golfing Queen Foundation plan to bless 100 children and their families with groceries, giveaways, bicycles, golf bags and a day of family-oriented activities in Las Vegas. The initiative demonstrates how Washington views the relationship between sports and philanthropy.
Rather than simply bringing influential adults together, the All Sports Reunion is designed to create a pathway for young people to participate and benefit. “What I enjoy most is bringing people together,” Washington said. “One of the most rewarding parts for me is seeing children introduced to golf and giving them an opportunity to experience something that may open doors for them for the rest of their lives.”
That philosophy also speaks to Washington’s own journey. Her introduction to golf came through a family member who recognized an opportunity to introduce her to a new experience. Today, she is working to create similar moments for the next generation. Washington’s work also demonstrates golf’s value as a business-development tool.
The golf course has traditionally served as a place where executives, entrepreneurs and professionals develop relationships outside the formal office environment. Washington has expanded that concept by creating an event that intentionally blends sports, business, entertainment, family and philanthropy. The result is a gathering designed to encourage meaningful conversations and connections.
For corporate sponsors and business leaders, the event provides access to a diverse network of professionals and sports personalities. For athletes, it offers an opportunity to interact with entrepreneurs and community leaders. For families and young people, it creates exposure to golf and positive role models. Washington sees all of those elements as interconnected.
A Legacy Still Being Written
Washington’s career has already crossed multiple industries, but she appears less interested in looking backward than in building what comes next. Her journey from South Central Los Angeles to a career in national sports media, entrepreneurship and philanthropy illustrates the importance of taking advantage of opportunities while creating opportunities for others. She is an author, speaker, businesswoman, corporate sales professional and entrepreneur. Yet the role she appears to value most is that of a connector—someone who can bring people together around a shared experience and transform those relationships into something meaningful.
“I am extremely passionate about using golf as a vehicle to connect people, empower women, expose children to new opportunities, promote mental wellness, and build meaningful business relationships,” Washington said.
That mission will be on full display during the 2026 All Sports Reunion in Las Vegas. With the Legends & Executives Golf Invitational, Kids and Family Day and a gathering that brings together athletes, business leaders and families, Washington is continuing to expand her vision of what a golf event can accomplish. For her, the ultimate score is measured differently. It is measured in relationships established, children inspired, women empowered, opportunities created and communities strengthened.
And while golf remains at the center of her work, Washington’s larger objective is clear: use the game as a bridge to something greater. As she continues building Golfing Queen and the Golfing Queen Foundation, her story is becoming one not simply about learning to play golf, but about discovering how the game can become a vehicle for purpose, service and legacy. Learn more at https://www.golfingqueen.com and https://www.golfingqueen.com/golfing-queen-foundation
