In Atlanta, Ga., PGA Professional William Lewis has seen a lot in his 63 years. Lewis was born May 1, 1951 in Huntsville, Alabama, the oldest of seven children born to William and Marie Lewis.

Williams, Sr. died when William was a ten-year-old student at Calvary Hill Elementary School.  His mother, Marie, struggled to care for her children, but the task was beyond her.  William remembers pulling his little red Flyer wagon to the government disbursement center to get cheese, peanut butter, and other commodities for the family.

At the age of eleven, William began caddying at the Huntsville Country Club on the weekends to help support his family.  There he formed a special bond with a golfer named Robert Lowery, President of a local bank.

“Mr. Lowery allowed William to hit balls with him, and to use his clubs, recalls William.  Their relationship continued as William matriculated through Lee High School, as the first Black member of the golf team.

Upon completion of high school, William entered Alabama A&M College where he joined the golf team, continued caddying, refereeing, and carrying a paper route to help his mother.

Youth receiving instruction from golf professional William Lewis, PGA

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When Bob Lowery learned that William was playing golf at Alabama A&M University he purchased for him a new set of clubs. His impressive college golf resume included being voted while a freshman the most outstanding athlete; in 1970 and 1972 he won the SIAC Golf Tournament.  In 1971 and 1973 he finished second in the SIAC Golf Tournament.  During his college career, he won dove 28 tournaments.

In his senior year of college, William visited John A White Golf Course in Atlanta, where his former caddy manager Elijah Walker was the Golf Professional.  Elijah offered William a job as his assistant.

A great ball driver, William began to play on the North American Golf Association Tour, with such renowned golf professionals like Charlie Sifford, Jim Thorpe, Jim Dent, Calvin Peete, George “GG”Johnson, Lee Elder, et al.  William’s skills had put him on par with PGA Tour players and given him the incentive to pursue Tour school.

In his first attempt, he missed the cut.  He made the finals in 1978 and 1981 and then ran out of money.  In the meantime, he continued to make a name for himself on the North American Golf Association Tour.  He won the Atlanta Open and West Georgia Open in 1978 and the Greensboro Open in 1979 and 1981.  He went on to win the Bogey Hills Invitation in 1981 and the Macon Open in 1982. He entered his first PGA Event when he qualified for the Southern Open in Columbus, Georgia in 1981.  He missed the cut by two strokes.

In 1986, American Golf Company assumed management of Atlanta City Golf Courses.  At that time, William could no longer travel away from his job causing him to curtail his competitive schedule.

He became a member of the Georgia PGA of America and began the process for Class A Status.  He left Tup Homes to become the general manager of Brown’s Mill Golf Course in Atlanta, Georgia.  After about two years, he moved to Rivers Edge Golf Course in 1995 and obtained his Class A Status the same year.

In 1997, there were only two open spots on the Inaugural PGA Bellsouth Classic.  William qualified for one of them.  But, at this point in his life the responsibility for a wife and two children curtailed him to enter.  William wholeheartedly embraced his duties as husband and father, head golf professional and youth instructor.

William continued to play on the Georgia Section of the PGA as time permitted; however, as the need for steady sources of income grew to support his family he reduced his competitive golf travels and settled into his golf professional duties at his home base.

He endeavored to share his experiences with the youth.  In 1998, he was named Junior Golf Teacher of the Year.  In 1999, he joined the first Tee at John A White Golf Course as the Head Instructor of Golf. He was selected Junior Golf Teacher of the Year again in 2000 and was inducted into the Black Golfers Hall of Fame and into the Madison City Hall of Fame that same year.

He was inducted into the Huntsville Booster Club Hall of Fame in 2003.  Over the course of his professional career, he won over twenty events.  At one point, he held five course records: John A While (Atlanta) 18 holes-61; Tup Holmes (Atlanta) 18 holes-61; Fort McPherson (Atlanta) 18 holes-64; Jet Port (Alabama) 18 holes-65 and Tup Holmes (Atlanta) back nine-29.  To date, three records remain (both Tup Holmes and John A White).  The highlight of his career was realized when he played Augusta and shot 65.

As the Head Instructor of Golf at the First Tee at John A White, William touches the lives of many junior golfers in Southwest Atlanta and surrounding communities. Over the past six years, he has helped several young boys and girls qualify for high school golf teams and earn golf scholarships for college.  William Lewis has also been the coach of the Morehouse College Golf Team for the past eight years.

He currently has over 21 players participating in golf scholarship programs in colleges and universities. Lewis relates with pride and enjoyment that becoming a college golf coach has always been his dream.  Moreover, he states that “Teaching these players value and direction is very rewarding for me.”

Maurice Jeffries II is a full-time professional golfer who knows the importance of time. Like many sportsmen, he is keenly aware of the fact that his age is a big factor in the lifespan and success of his career.

Jeffries started playing with The First Tee at John White Park in Atlanta, Georgia, and participated in the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Today, the 25-year old has a foundation in the game that he can be proud of while seeking even greater accomplishments.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Jeffries relocated with his parents to Peachtree City, Georgia, when he was 3-years old. He faired well in the Southern metropolis and he went on to complete his college education at Jackson State University on a full 4-year golf scholarship under the great NFL player Walter Payton’s brother, Golf Coach Eddie Payton. Jeffries was a stand out on the team and was a 2-year team captain where they won 3 years of conference titles.  He  earned in 4-years a B.A. Degree in Political Science (2012).

He has been a member of the White Water Country Club since 2002. And, as a father of a young child, Jeffries has already gotten his daughter Kyndall (age 4) involved with the sport of his dreams, purchasing her first set of golf clubs when she was only 2-years old.

The game of golf has been good for him and through it his eyes have seen some amazing sights.

Photo: Maurice Jeffries with Rory Mcilroy, Number 1 ranked golfer in the world, at the butch Harmon school of golf in Dubai (2014).

“I’ve had the unique opportunity to travel and experience the world. I have been fortunate to travel to some very nice places” says the 5’ 11” tall, 167-pound golfer who is highly motivated.  “This has provided me with a perspective–not only my golf life but a worldwide perspective– of how the world lives, and what other cultures have to offer.”

“While most of the places I travel have fine amenities, and golf courses, one cannot help but notice the great amount of impoverished areas and the lack of stability in many of their surrounding regions. But at the end of the day, we are all the same; we all dream of better.”

Photo: Jeffries chats with award-winning actor Will Smith (right)

Jeffries admits that the experience reminds him of just how blessed he is. “It also serves as a motivation for me to continue the quest to fulfill my dreams.”
His monthly practice regimen varies and is primarily based on his tournament schedules. Some months when he is registered to play in tournaments he will play or practice daily. Most of those rounds are at his home course, the White Water Country Club in Fayetteville, Georgia.

“Unlike other sports I’ve played, golf is by far the most challenging. The constant pursuit of perfection keeps me in the right frame of mind, to always think positive and, to never give up my dream of being a success,” says Jeffries who also enjoys riding horses, traveling the world by air and sea and reading good books. “Every great person has a platform from which to build. I’ve learned from many teachable moments in my life; that it is better to give than to receive, and that someone should always see a light in you.”

Bringing Up The Future

A devoted and conscientious player, Jeffries does not let golf define him, and he admits to knowing that this game is not just about him. He absolutely loves giving back to the younger generation that is coming up from behind.

“My ultimate goal is to use golf as a vehicle, to be a role model to the younger generation, to encourage positive thinking and positive outcomes. All my life, my parents have used the mantra ‘Praise God, Never quit; it’s not over until it’s over.’”

Jeffries has volunteered with the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association annual tournament, serving as Assistant Tour Director, chaperone, and has worked to transport junior golfers during the series of events. Each year, he also volunteers with the Fayette County Youth Council NAACP Golf Tournament that he started while serving as Youth Council President. The funds made through this tournament help to provide attendance and participation in the National Convention where players can compete for scholarships. The tournament has had a successful run and is now in its 11th year.

“I am never too busy to stop to answer a question or show someone else on the golf course how to make their game better. I am always there to give a good word to a youngster who may be having a bad day, whether on the golf course or in the classroom,” says Jeffries.

Among his extensive scoreboard of achievements are the U.S. Open Local Qualifying, where he was Low Medalist (64); the Advocates Pro Tour, the MENA Pro Golf Tour (Middle East North Africa); the Asian Tour Qualifying School and the PGA Latin America Qualifying School.

A Reign of Success

Jeffries gives thanks to God and his family for their continued support and the golf training at the Butch Harmon School of Golf, Dubai (UAE) with Coach Justin Parsons. “I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Tiger Woods as one of my great, all time role models in the game of Golf. It is his play and success in the game that inspired me to pick up a club in the beginning along with my dad. Rory McIlroy is another golfer I admire for his game.”

It’s quite clear that Jeffries knows his strengths and weaknesses and is working hard to become an overall better golfer. “My biggest challenge is the same as what most professional golfers on my level struggle with. I can strike the ball with the best; chip and putt with the best of them; however, my objective is to become more consistent.  Being able to learn alongside some of the best players and teachers in the game has afforded me great potential for advancement, and a clear understanding of how to better my game.”

With over 20 years invested in playing golf, Jeffries’ passion for the game has become his significant purpose in life. “I continue my pursuit to play golf on the PGA Tour because I feel that I have a God-given talent to play the game and the work ethic to be successful.

At 6’1” tall and a lean 190 pounds, Jacques Leandre could compete in just about any sport he chooses.  But Haitian-born lawyer fancies an attraction to golf.

The Queens, New York resident credits his older brother for introducing him to the game.  It all began when his brother would take him along to a summer job that he worked at high school for a local golf course.  The pair would spend time together swinging, hitting balls, and playing around.

Today, Leandre carries a 23 handicap and relishes every moment that he can get out on the green.  As a member and Co-Founder of the United Black Golfers Association, Inc. (UBGA).

Leandre attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he earned a B.A. in finance before completing law school at the City University of New York Law School at Queens College.   As Principal of his firm, Law Offices of Jacques M. Leandre, PLLC, located on Broadway in Manhattan and specializing in civil rights and community empowerment law, he is known as “The Community Attorney”.   When he’s not in the office you can find him spending quality time with his wife of 17 years, Chrissy, and their two children, Asia and Jacques III.  Golf is important to him but not more than family.

Evening meal time brings about a daily opportunity to bond and to catch-up on what’s been happening for the Leandre clan, especially when his favorite dishes of red snapper and navy bean soup are being served.

To keep a decent handicap you have to practice.  

Although work takes it’s toll, Leandre tries to play at least four times a month, and, usually with his best golf buddy Vernel Bennett, UBGA President/Founder.  Their favorite spot?  The Douglaston Golf Course in Queens.

In his specialized career, Leandre is always seeking “justice” and out on the course is no different, where—in this sport, each player is the judge and jury of their own game.

“It is extremely relaxing and always challenging,” say the well postured and clean-shaven Leandre about his enjoyment of golf.  But he is also a fierce competitor and plays in several tournaments annually.   For this, he credits the invaluable lessons of having a professional golf instructor who can help you with,  “…playing a consistent game in various weather conditions.”

Leandre especially enjoys playing with the “old-timers” and listening to the “war stories”.  A most admired golfer for Leandre?  Well, that woud be none other than the late Calvin Peete. “The man was self-taught….Amazing,” says Leandre.  “May he rest in peace.”

Other than being involved in golf, Leandre participates with coaching little league football for the Rosedale Jets Football Association and conducting legal workshops for at-risk youth.