Golfers pose pre-round at Tema Golf Course, Tema, West Africa. (original article appears in the Fall 2012 magazine print edition)
New York, NY, November 13, 2010—The African American Golfer’s Digest, the nations leading print publication and online portal for avid black golfers and its delegation of players returned to the United States following completion of its maiden golf tour of Ghana, West Africa.
The seven-day trek began with a JFK airport departure on November 5 and flying 10 hours directly into Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana. The group’s itinerary included golfing four courses and spanned the regions of Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast. The travelers, all ladies, enjoyed the experience of a lifetime and it was the first trip to Africa for all–except Debert Cook, publisher of the national quarterly magazine and architect of this famed journey. She’s been traveling with African Diaspora luminaries throughout the continent since the early 90s.
“I absolutely love the motherland and I’ve been fortunate enough to visit seven African countries to date. I have been to Ghana several times and now and, have met many heads of state. I have seen my vision of bringing African American golfers to Africa finally materialize with this tour,” said Cook in her jubilant style. And she is planning additional Motherland group trips in the future.
“When I announced plans for this trip, back in February 2010, I did not know what to expect–with the economic situation in the U.S. being as it is. But, the response was tremendous and lots of readers and followers of the publication initially wanted to go, but with many of them experiencing company layoffs and a cut in work hours, reduced fixed incomes, mortgage woes, etc., they had to put their plans on hold and say they plan to join us next year.”
In the end, five ladies committed to the tour: Cyntha A. Hall (Brooklyn, NY), Caron James (Brooklyn, NY), Selena James (Brooklyn, NY) and Dorothy Johnson (Pensacola, FL) and together the women proclaimed they all had a wonderful adventure.
Dorothy Johnson at Achimota Golf Course
SUN, SAND AND GOLF
Beautiful sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 80s greeted golfers each day and the group teed-up at its first course, Achimota Golf Course (Accra), off of Legon, straight from their 7:00 a.m. flight landing and exchanging U.S. currency for Ghana’s 100-cedi bills. A 1:00 p.m. start time was perfectly executed at Achimota, known as the best 18 holes of Ghana. “This is why I flew 10-hours. I’m ready to play!” said Dorothy Johnson, an avid player who golf’s several times a week in her Florida area. “This is a great opportunity to discover the culture and history of the Motherland and play some good golf, too.” Johnson received the moniker “Lady Tiger” from the caddies who watched her strong, consistent swing, long drives and great putting on the greens.
Finishing our round at dusk at Achimota GC, caddies join the group of ladies (L-R) Dorothy Johnson, Cynthia Hall, Selena James, Debert Cook, CMP.
On their next stop, The Royal Kumasi Golf Course in Cape Coast the excitement of rounds continued. “With the five-hour time difference, teeing-up at 8:00 a.m. here, is in actuality 3:00 a.m. for our bodies,” said Cook. But from the group’s high energy level, walking all four courses with no carts, it seemed that none of them had any signs of jet lag. Kumasi is the second-largest city in Ghana (behind Accra).
“I’ve just started playing the game and the caddies here are just wonderful,” exclaimed Selena James who just took up the game recently. “I am so glad that I came on this trip. I’ve always wanted to see Africa. I love golf and I’ve been able to get private lessons and great tips from the caddies at each course,” she added.
TEEING UP IN GHANA
The Asantehene’s 10th anniversary Gold Cup Open Golf Championship was held on the Royal Kumasi Golf Course in May and the greens were in terrific shape, according to the caddies. The four-day 72-hole event is opened to both amateur and professional golfers from Ghana and other African countries.
“The weather is hot, but we’ve got a breeze and I’m going to play as much as I can,” said Brooklynite and Black Jewels Ladies Golf Association (NY) member, Coran James.
A caddie stands next to a huge termite mound in the fairway at Achimoto Golf Course
Golfer Dorothy Johnson lines up her putt at Tema Golf Course.
Up next was the Tema Country Golf Club, situated about 20 miles outside of Accra. The 18-hole golf course is in the Ashaiman district of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It gave the group a real challenge with its strategically placed holes and bunkers. “This was my favorite course of them all,” Said Cynthia A. Hall, “It really made me work hard and par was difficult to make.” Following their round, the group enjoyed beverages at the verandah bar overlooking the 18th green.
Dorothy Johnson lines up to sink her putt at Tema GCAt Celebrity Golf Course (Sakumono, Tema) more challenge and fun continued as players battled a breezy wind, blowing off of the Sakumono lagoon. The ladies were not intimidated at this port-city course. The caddies were helpful in pointing out strategic ball placement and their course knowledge kept golfers with an advantage.
Cynthia Hall, overcome with grief during visit at the Door Of No Return, Elmina Castle, Cape Coast, Ghana.
The golfing group atop Cape Coast Castle, overlooking the Atlantic ocean and local fishing village (L-R) Coran James, Debert Cook, Selena James, Dorothy Johnson, Cynthia A. Hall.
Throughout the tour the group was escorted to renowned historic and cultural sites including a deeply emotional trip to the slave castles and dungeons of Elmina and Cape Coast (visited by President Obama in July 2009), Kakum National Park to explore the cultural medicinal uses of plants in the forest. And, for those more adventurous the canopy walkway suspended 100 feet above the ground provided a stimulating birds eye view of the park’s foliage.
Coran James (L) and Rosalind McLymond (right) stir a caldron of natural dye mixture used for making Adkinka symbol prints on cloth in a Bonwire village, Ghana.
The craft villages in Bonwire, where the world-famous Kente cloth is woven and home to the traditional Adinkra cloth and Ahwiaa for woodcarving was especially memorable, as the group had an opportunity to experience the labor-intensive effort of making local dye and received their own hand-printed Adinkra symbols on cloth.
More tours included the Manhyia Palace to view replicas of old kings and royal stools of the Ashanti’s, and a special visit to the King Prempeh II Museum, Okomfo Anokye sword site and to the Cultural Center to witness expert artists at work. Each stop along the way gave the group a taste of traditional African foods, music, shopping at local fish and spice markets, hand-woven fabrics for custom-made dresses and an opportunity for learning and using newly acquired words and phrases of the Adinkra language.
Nightlife during the tour included exciting wins at local casinos, lively jazz and dance clubs and delicious food at restaurants ranging from Indian cuisine to native delicacies. A special dinner included honored guest, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, Vice President of Ghana.
Ms. Debert Cook with Ghana President John-Dramani during dinner at La Palm Royal Hotel, Accra, Ghana.
The 2011 tour is already in the planning stage and ongoing news and tour updates will be posted on the website.Nightly lodging for the group included the beautiful La Palm Royal Beach Hotel (Accra), Golden Tulip Hotel (Kumasi) and Coconut Bay Resort (Cape Coast). Highlights of the 2010 golfing tour appear in the Fall 2010 print edition of the African American Golfer’s Digest.
About the African American Golfer’s Digest
The African American Golfer’s Digest launched in March 2003 and is a PGA of America Diverse Supplier in the United States serving as the nations leading print publication and online portal for avid black golfers. The full-color, 40-page, lifestyle magazine is based in New York City’s financial district and operates as a minority-owned, woman-owned business serving 80,000 readers every quarter. The magazine is registered with the National Minority Supplier Development Council and holds memberships that include the United States Golf Association (USGA), National Golf Foundation, International Network of Golf (ING) and Metropolitan Golf Writers Association. To learn more about the publication visit http://www.AfricanAmericanGolfersDigest.com
