Sherry E. Winston was born & raised in Corona, New York, a town that has produced several notable professionals including Saxophonist Jimmy Heath, National Endowment for the Arts honoree Dr. Rev. Calvin Butts and Howard University Provost Dr. Michael Winston and many others.
It was Sherry’s friend, writer and business owner George Fraser, Chairman and CEO of FraserNet, Inc., who encouraged Sherry to take up the sport. Interested in exploring new activities, together, off they went to a nearby driving range to hit some balls. From this experience Sherry developed a new favorite past-time!
Today, the Bethel, Conn., resident plays at a 18 handicap. She has wholeheartedly embraced the sport and, is a member of the New Hope Baptist Church Golf League in Danbury, Conn. “It is my second year,” says Sherry, a charter member of the church golf group that formed last year. “This year, in addition to Hope Baptist Church Golf League, I have just joined another African American golf club, the Long Drivers Club out of Waterbury, Conn.” Well, seems like it is going to be another exciting golfing summer for this 5’1” tall, single lady.
The clubs in her golf bag?
“I use ladies Callaway Clubs that were customized for me by Scott Ward of Clubworks (Brookfield, Conn.), says Shery, whose home course is the Candlewood Lake Country Club (New Milford, Conn.)
Sherry plays most often with her golf leagues, but candidly admits, “I move around a lot too. I was just in Bradenton, Fla., and played at Waterlefe Golf Club for a week.” Waterlefe is an 18-hole luxury golf course that adjoins the River Club. Waterlefe’s golf holes are designed by course architect Ted McAnlis and present a competitive layout challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Those who play here recall those five unforgettable holes that touch and border the scenic Manatee River. There are five sets of tees ranging in length from 4700 to 6908 yards.
Golf and travel go hand-in-hand for Sherry—who enjoys both of these pleasures. In Washington, D.C. she plays with friends and with the Howard University Alumni, where she’s won in a couple of categories. She’s played in San Diego and every few years you’ll catch her on a vacation to Palm Springs and Myrtle Beach, enjoying even more golf. Then, twice a year, she heads down to the beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados, to tee up at the Barbados Golf Club and the Westmoreland Country Club.
“My biggest problem in the game is in being consistent,” says the golfer who has taken instruction with Paul Minor at Stony Hill Golf Center. (Bethel, Conn.) and with Andrew Linch at the Barbados Country Club. “Paul straightened out and grooved my swing. Andrew worked on my short game and grip.”
Sherry attended Howard University and earned a Bachelor of Music degree. She is a certified Scuba Diver and holds a diving certificate from National Association of Underwater instructors (NAUI).
A distinguished jazz flutist, she and her Sherry Winston band have performed all over the U.S. and abroad. With such immense knowledge she also gives Music Business Seminars at colleges, Universities and to arts organizations. Most notable, this year, Sherry is celebrating 25 years in performing.
“I love what I do—and when I perform, I make people happy—I enjoy seeing people smile while I play and they seem to always be amazed at what comes out of a 5″1 frame! I love the fact that I run my band, pick all of the music, write some of the songs that we perform and, I’m the one who does all of the negotiations with clients. I love the musicians that I work with and they have been with me for a long time-They are my extended family.”
In the mist of it all, Sherry manages to get out on the golf course about twice a week. Of course, this changes when performances are scheduled, or if she’s mountain biking, working out, hiking, swimming, snorkeling, traveling or cooking; and she’s about to come out with a love cookbook!….stay tuned fore more on that. She also thanks Tiger Woods for all that he has done for the sport, “He got me to watch golf on T.V.— which I would never do before him.”
“I love the outdoors and the type of people I meet. Golf, to me, is like a walking meditation—even though I ride in a golf cart. The lovely scenery always amazes me.”
