Gladys Lee, LPGA Golf Coach/Teaching Professional, was honored as a Woman Of Wisdom on Saturday, November 19 at the 9th Annual Elite News Women of Wisdom awards luncheon in DeSoto, TX.
A beautiful award, presented to Ms. Lee by Elite News Publishing Editor Darryl E. Blair, Sr., who hosted the event inside the Theatre Room at the Desoto Civic Center, read “We are recognizing your spirit, courage, dedication, commitment and encouragement to your community and city at large.” The featured speaker for the afternoon event was Ms. Titia Owens, CEO of Where Are You Outreach and Owner of Owens Media Production. Details for the special occasion were expertly handled by Event Director, Sherry Blair.
Ms. Lee has a long and respected career in golf, entering the industry in 1986, she has developed curricula inclusive of golf training and life skills for multi-ethnic children while contributing her talents, abilities and service to organizations, corporations, and non-profits for decades. Tiger Woods recognized Lee’s Roaring Lambs organization as one of the Top Junior Golf Programs in the U.S.A., which led to being featured on the NBC Tom Brokaw segment of “Making a Difference”.
A strong advocate for change, Ms. Lee has served in numerous positions including Head Golf Coach (Division 1 NJCAA Program) at Estrella Mountain Community College (Avondale, Arizona), Varsity Golf Coach, Estrella Foothills High School, (Goodyear, AZ), Golf Teaching Professional, PGA TOUR Super Store, (Scottsdale AZ), Founder/Executive Director, Roaring Lambs International Junior Golf Academy (Ft. Worth TX ), Texas Chapter Director, African Americans in Golf Association (AAMIGA), Golf Instructor, Tarrant County College (Ft. Worth, TX). Ms. Lee was inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame (2003).
“DFW is my home. I was born in Ft. Worth, went to Elementary and Jr High School (James E. Guinn) and I graduated from historical I.M. Terrell Sr. High School,” said Ms. Lee who continued furthering her education at Texas Southern University (1965).
Adventurous, Lee moved to California in 1972 and worked in the Aerospace Industry for the next 14 years. While she was there, the lover of music, movies, TV and the arts studied Theatre and Drama at Merrick Studies in Hollywood. A friend introduced her to actor Dick Clark, famous for American Bandstand, Dick Clark Productions, TV, movies and the New Year’s Eve Countdowns in New York City. Dick and his wife Carrie were both avid golfers and Clark gave Lee a job as a Production Coordinator at his Dick Clark NBC Burbank Studios. The connection enlightened Lee who discovered that “golf was more than just a game.”
In 1986, Lee returned to Texas from California with the skills and knowledge to pursue a professional career as an LPGA Tour golfer, however, in keeping it real, “My dreams took a detour after realizing there were no opportunities or support for a woman like me, a women of color, during that Era,” said Lee.
“As I continue to reiterate ‘Life can make you bitter or life can make you better!’ No matter what lies ahead…I choose better!”
ABOUT ELITE NEWS
For 57 years, the Elite News newspaper has been one of the most widely read publications in the Dallas, TX, Black community. It highlighted the Black churches, and Black people making a difference in their community, politics, as well as sports in the community. Founded in 1949, by Indianapolis Clowns Negro Baseball League pitcher, William “Bill” T. Blair, as the Southwest Sports News, a newspaper that published scores from African American college games across the United States. The newspaper was circulated to all major black colleges throughout the country. 1960, the Southwest Sports News changed its name to the Elite News. The motto became “Black News for Black People.” As a part of its mission, Elite News provides scholarships, mentorship and outdoor activities to deserving community youth.
