March 12, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
The Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Fairway Divas have been in existence for many years. Headed by its founder, Gladys Lee, an LPGA Certified Teaching Professional, the Dallas-based organization has enhanced the lives of many women with its variety of programs and instructional clinics. The DFW Fairway Divas also functions as an adult umbrella and mentoring program for LPGA*USGA Girls/Roaring Lambs Junior Golf.
“As the longest-running women’s golf program in the DFW Metroplex, three years ago we decided to re-name the women’s group independent of the Junior Roaring Lambs name,” says Gladys Lee. “Our junior program has its own curriculum and DFW Fairway Divas has an LPGA Golf 101 Curriculum.” So, the name change made a lot of sense.
LPGA GOLF 101
“12 women are trained in the LPGA Golf 101 six-week program to get them golf course ready. After successfully completing the course and upon graduation the women are given an opportunity to join DFW Fairway Diva’s, a women’s golf development and travel league,” said Lee.
As each group of 12 ladies graduates from the program, a new troop of 12 begins training. “Since 1986, I’ve been very successful with juniors and continue to be ‘Salt and Light; with a gentle plan to grow and keep the ‘Spirit of the Game’ alive and well,” comments Lee.
“I have found this new adult initiative for women, which I added and implemented in 2010 at the PGA Tour Superstore in Scottsdale, Arizona, coupled with the LPGA Women’s Golf 101, is just as successful!”
Lee is thrilled that since the program’s inception, she has introduced and trained over 200 women to enter into the “Wonderful World of Golf.”
“I am very excited to collaborate with other groups of women, such as Women of Color Golf, Sisters Across America, Women In Golf Foundation, Brown Mills Women Golf, Detroit Women, Black Girls Golf, WSGA Women, First Swing, Hollywood Golf, and others.”
Lee insists that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Black, brown, and women of color, who play golf who are now taking formal lessons to better their golfing skills.
Members of the DFW Fairway Divas are given exciting travel opportunities to showcase their skills. The group is taking its second field trip on March 27 to Cathy Harbin’s Pine Ridge Golf Course in Paris Texas. The facility is woman-owned and Lee is happy to bring her group to the venue.
The DFW Fairway Diva’s first trip was this past November 7 to WinStar Golf Club & Academy/Casino in Oklahoma. Lee is busy planning for the group’s third golfing adventure which is will be to Atlanta, to attend the African American Golf EXPO & Forum at the Marietta Hilton Hotel & Conference Center, August 21-24.
The next 6-week, LPGA Golf 101 sessions taught by Gladys Lee will begin on Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 a.m. CT at the Texas Golf Center. A ladies scramble is set for 12Noon at the same location. For more information email Gladys Lee or call 214-212-9475.
