This year, the Elite Ladies Golf League (ELGL) marks a quarter of a century of success in introducing the game of golf to women who want to learn to play. However, the league has gone far beyond its original mission and has expanded the organization through the formation of its 501(c) 3 which has introduced hundreds of women and youth to the sport.
In the beginning, the majority of the ladies were all beginner golfers. “We introduce ladies to the game of golf within the Ohio areas of Youngstown, Cleveland, and Columbus, in addition to several states surrounding Ohio. Years later the league was able to launch a Chapter in the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX areas.
Being a part of the league is like being part of a family and there is unending support and camaraderie as members learn to play the game at their own pace, without intimidation. Members also appreciate being among other golfers who look like themselves, united in a common goal, while having fun and enjoying friendly, fair competition. Most of all, members learn the history of golf and especially that of Black Americans and those Blacks who have become champions and legends of the game. It’s definitely something the league can be proud of accomplishing.
“What I am most proud of for Elite Ladies Golf League is that so many ladies of color really appreciated what we started out to do 25 years ago, by introducing golf to part of a segment of ladies who never thought this is a sport that they can learn to play,” says President Kusana Turner from her office based in Dallas, Texas. “I’m also very proud of my sister, Brunilda Turner, who within one year of forming the league she recruited more than 100 ladies to join ELGL. Kusana Turner serves as Chairperson of Elite Ladies Golf League, Joselynn Hudson and Vernita Ricketts serve as Co-chairs.
From the beginning and through these 25 years, it has been the dedication of the many first-time golfer ladies and their desire to learn the rules and the technique of the game that kept the club flourishing. For continued support and growth, the dedication of the league’s LPGA and PGA golf pros and ELGL consultants was and still is important for teaching members how to play the game of golf.
“It was the assistance of the PGA men who taught members how to play golf over the years,” says Madame President Brunilda who also shares that it was the strong, ongoing support of the Midwest Golf Association and their continuing mentorship over these many years that helped to sustain the league. The Midwest Golf Association is a historically African American organization that has been in existence for 72 years.
Planning for the Future
Over the next 5 years, Brunilda has a vision of continued growth for ELGL and a positive outlook on what the future holds. “I see that we will focus more on introducing junior girls to golf, as well as continue to introduce the game of golf to any ladies who are willing to learn. We are planning our succession plan for the future so, that the league can continue to thrive and be around for another 25, or more, years with the proper plan in place.”
The succession plan for the league includes recruiting more ladies for membership and preparing them to take on leadership positions. “Our Junior girls golfers are our future. We are planning to stay informed about the new technology in golf, as well as improve our game; we will continue to mentor our juniors, we never know if one of our juniors might one day become a PGA or LPGA golf professional, or even president of the LPGA. Our ladies in our league come from diverse backgrounds and have a lot to offer our junior’s in guidance, mentorships, and career choices. We believe within the next 5 years there will still be a demand for grassroots leagues like ours.”
ELGL Consultants (L-R): Renee Powell PGA, LPGA, Maulana Dotch PGA, LPGA, Oneda Castillo LPGA, Debert Cook, Founder & Publisher, African American Golfer’s Digest, Mary Lou Crocker LPGA (In Memorian 1944 – 2016)
For more information on Elite Ladies Golf League visit https://www.eliteladiesgolf.org
