Leroy Bates
(February 22, 2012)–LeRoy Bates is a growth-oriented and highly talented golf professional. He was born in the small Alabama town of Gadsden, located 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, with a population of about 37,300. Here the area’s local communities thrived and people always looked out for one another. it was in these surroundings that Bates got a solid start in life as a youngster and the experiences there prepared him for the many things that he would need to be successful in his life.
Bates recalls how it was his Grandfather, John Lovett, now 80-years old, who was the one responsible for getting him started in golf. “Around 1984-86, my grandfather would take me out to a little practice center that he owned on the southwest side of Selma, Ala.,” says Bates. “It was my summer job when I was 10-years old; I used to cut the grass, pick up the range balls, and it got me interested in the game.”
“These were some of our best times together and it is also where I fell in love with the game,” he says. Bates’ grandfather was a Colonel in the U.S. Army and he used part of his military money to get the center started. “It had a driving range and six holes. He did a whole lot of good in our neighborhood; he helped the schools, the city, and many others with the center,” recalls bates proudly.
The golf center was sold by his grandfather and the property has now been turned into a softball center. But ever since then, 35-year old Bates has remained focus on the game and is actively involved in helping youth and playing in tournaments. “Our family plans honor my grandfather by presenting an annual tournament as a way to recognize his many contributions to the community. It’s our way of saying thanks to him and this makes me very happy” says the single father of two.
Bates relocated to Los Angeles, CA at age 11 to be with his father and had fun growing up in the larger metropolitan city. He graduated from Granada Hills High school (1994) and attended Southern University. That same year Bates received a scholarship from The Bill Dickey Scholarship Association (formerly known as the National Minority Golf Scholarship Association) and then went on to win the Junior College State Championship with Long Beach City College (1996). He also received a scholarship from the Young Golfers of America Association (YGAA) that gained him additional leverage towards his career goals.
He also earned a certificate in Computer science from Long Beach City College (1996-1997), attended Southern University Long Beach and City College, and worked as a PGA Apprentice and Phase II First Tee Coaching. Bates caddies for 6 Pro Ams annually.
(photo left: Bates with Brandt Snedeker, PGA Tour).
A lover of music—who gigs as a well-known disc jockey at entertainment venues—Bates is immensely serious about his golf career. He has been teaching since 1997 and has played on the mini-tours since 2001. His full-time efforts are as Head Professional with the First Tee of Los Angeles. Before that, he served as their instructor of golf.
Bates networks on the green at every opportunity and caddies part-time at The Wilshire Country Club in Hancock Park, his home course, and the only course that has a PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA event in LA.
From 2003-2009 he worked with American Golf Association in field operations where he managed and operated pro tee shops and system projects. Currently, Bates is a staff member for Bridgestone Golf (since 2006) and reps their equipment.
He is a member of the Wilshire Loopers, a 600 members club that has 40 caddies aligned with them.As an entrepreneur, Bates is owner of Inner City Golf Guru (www.icgGolf.com) at Chester Washington Golf Course and Whitter Narrows Golf Course, both located in Los Angeles County. His more than 10 years of industry experience and strong background in course management, lesson implementation, and interaction with students, benefits the urban youth greatly.
It’s not an easy task to find an experienced team leader with the ability to initiate and manage cross-functional teams throughout multi-disciplinary projects, and to deliver cost effective programs with a winning personality, but Bates does it!
“I wish to make a difference in the outcome of our young people. They deserve to have opportunities and exposure to all that golf has to offer.”
