August 13, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
Diane Ridley Gatewood, Esq. is a retired investment professional who previously worked for a brokerage house, the American Stock Exchange, Moody’s Investor Service, and lastly, as the Securities Registration Chief for the New York State Office of the Attorney General. Diane, a current resident of Brooklyn, NY has been playing golf for 23 years and was first introduced to the game with golf lessons through the New York Urban Bankers Association.
Diane, A native of St. Louis (MO), where she keeps a set of clubs and plays regularly with friends when there, did not grow up playing golf. Although her father played, she told him she would “never” play that game. “I was an avid tennis player,” said the Northwestern University, School of Law (Chicago, IL, J.D.) graduate who also studied Corporate and Securities Laws at Washington University (St. Louis, MO) earning a Bachelor of Art in Sociology.
As a young person, she thought golf was only an “old man’s game.” Her father explained that businessmen played for exercise and social connections, however, her father died before she took up the game.
Diane laughs, now hooked on the game, she wonders if her dear late father is looking down, saying “is that girl out there playing again?” Her love for the game today also admonishes her that in life, one shouldn’t never say “never,” as life is always changing.
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Now that Diane is retired, she is working on improving her unofficial handicap of 23. In charity tournaments with the National Bar Association, Diane has won the Women’s Longest Drive (2017 and 2019), she played with the winning 1st place Women’s team. She is working on improving her short game and, says she wants to become a more finesse player and win closest to the pin. The Adjunct Lecturer at New York University dreams for a hole in one.
Diane has attended the LPGA ShopRite Classic tournaments (Galloway, NJ) over the last several years, yet, is disappointed by the delayed schedule caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A special highlight during her golf journey was in enjoying being part of the gallery for LPGA player Mariah Stackhouse at the ShopRite Classic and following her on the course.
Diane is married to the artist Lamerol A. Gatewood who also plays golf and the duo enjoys traveling to golf resorts for vacation. Over the years, she has shared her passion for the game by organizing golf outings with their many golf friends in New York and, has always tried to bring more women into the game. Diane particularly enjoyed playing rounds in Florida with her brother Craig until his passing.
When not on the golf course, Diane, a Who’s Who of American Law and the recipient of many professional awards, loves to scuba dive on expeditions that have included Cozumel, Aruba, Maui, and others.
