Liz Robinson — Let’s Toot a Horn for a Real Winner

It has come to my attention that many people know Liz Robinson (my lovely wife) plays golf.  Yet, it also seems that everyone tends to think she just comes out and golfs with me and the guys. They have no idea, whatsoever, that she and I don’t really play golf.  We compete in golf!  And, we are the only African Americans in our little town of Erie, Pennsylvania that do so.  With a population of 100,157, you’d think there would be a few more blacks out here competing.

FOR LIZ, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE WIN

To put it mildly, Liz played on the Interclub golf team that won our City Championship over 7 straight times —Yes, 7.  Her individual championships are Club Championships at both Downing  Golf Course and Erie Golf Courses.  She won the City Senior Champion 5 times and two couples City Championships.  She placed in the World Handicap Tournament in 1997 and 1998.  And, here is some more horn tooting for Liz, she and a partner won the State best ball net Championship.

Around town, from the clients at the local beauty shop to the people at our health spa, and even some of our fellow golfers, no one has any idea of the expanse of her record winnings.  They simply think of me, Tom Robinson, Liz’s dutiful husband, only as once holding the course record at Downing with a 64!

Most of my former students have told me they claim me as a legend and I was honored last October for being a teacher that made a difference in the area.

DESTINY AND TOGETHERNESS

Liz was a former student of Tennesee State University (Nashville, Tenn) when I arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania.  I had been recruited from my hometown of Nashville to serve as a role model to help quell school race riots in the 1960’s.   And I guess it worked…we haven’t had one since I came in 1969.

I later asked her to become my wife.  2019 makes for our 49th year of marriage.  From our union, we have a son and a daughter, and a precious 4-year-old granddaughter.

“…they were almost fighting over her for their member-guest tournaments.”

Liz Robinson met a young Tiger Woods while playing Bay Hill Golf Club the week before Tiger won his first Masters in1997.

Afterward, I introduced her to golf, and then into competitive golf. Because there were no other black ladies to golf with Liz immediately became a hit with the white lady golfers.  In being the very good golfer that she is, they were almost fighting over her for their member-guest tournaments. Liz was also named President of The Erie District Women’s Golf Association for a term.

RELATED ARTICLE: Liz Robinson Meets “The King” Arnold Palmer

So, in closing out this horn-tooting blog session, I invite you to go to any private course in our beautiful little town of Erie and discover that, yes, the Golf Pro will know Ms. Liz Robinson! —Why??  Well, why not? She is the only Black American woman that competes in their tournaments.

Yep, I’m extremely proud of the ole girl, taught her everything she knows about golf! Remember, we don’t “PLAY” golf.  We compete!  If you know Liz, like I do, then you know that she would never toot her own horn.  But I WILL!

NEXT BLOG: Tom Robinson’s golfing records….just kidding.  I don’t have nearly a golf resume equal to Liz !!!

Tom Robinson is an avid golfer who resides in Erie, PA and he serves as Tournament Director for The Neck Bone Tour and, makes sure everyone has a great time!