“If the green is your canvas, your clubs are your paintbrushes. You decide how you want to paint your masterpiece”. These were the first words to me during my first lesson with resident PGA Professional Demarkis Cooper at downtown DC’s newest location of the indoor golf facility, City Swing. Vibrant, modern, and non-intimidating, CitySwing brings the “green” to the heart of downtown DC in their newest location in NW. As the first client during the July 7 launch, I felt honored to enter a golf facility and see the freshly printed wall art of LPGA “First Lady of Golf” Dr. Renee Powell and Charlie Luther Sifford, the first African American to play on the PGA Tour.
I heard buzz about DC’s CitySwing from multiple colleagues active in various Black golf organizations including Women of Color Golf (WOCG) and Wake-Robin Golf Club, the oldest African American women’s golf club in the United States, who highly recommended the facility for continuing to develop my swing while living and working downtown.
Upon arrival, I was greeted warmly by the Founder/CEO of CitySwing, Tari Cash, as well as smiling and excited staff. Demarkis, my instructor, was fantastic — patient and encouraging as I “warmed back up” after being dormant since my recent return to DC from Tampa during the winter months. I found it hard to find a place to practice or play in DC during the winter, let alone book a private lesson! At CitySwing, I felt at home.
I originally began my golf journey a year ago under the mentorship of Ms. Clemmie Perry, Founder and Executive Director of Tampa-based Women of Color Golf, (WOCG) who took me under her wing. While living and working in Tampa, WOCG not only taught me the game of golf but exposed me to a new world of local and global opportunities related to the sport including meeting Dr. Renee Powell at a Disney golf reception, attending the 2021 African American Golf Expo and Forum, public speaking opportunities on Leadership and Professional Development with local organizations and my sorority, and supporting global DEI golf initiatives such as the Aramco/Golf Saudi Intiative.
Prior to joining WOCG, I had never picked up a golf club or been on a golf course. Organizations such as CitySwing and WOCG, both founded by phenomenal Black women, are examples of institutions expanding the game of golf in our community and beyond. If you have ever considered playing golf – give it a try!
