The Roland Parrish Celebrity Golf Event goes down in Dallas/Fort Worth golf history as the first to showcase the talents of African American women pro and amateur golfers. It was held Friday, September 12th at The Golf Club of Dallas in Dallas, Texas.
Mr. Roland Parrish provided a platform and encouraged the women to follow their dreams in the wonderful world of golf at the highest level. He put up $5,000 as the initial purse for the first African American Women Professional Golf Competition in DFW.
A phone call to Renee Powell, Golf Hall of Fame golfer and the second Black woman to play on the LPGA Tour in 1967 (Althea Gibson was the first), made the day even more special. Renee spoke via phone to Kennedi, Kendall, April, and Makalia as they waited on Hole #3, a par 3, for the group in front of them to finish. The ladies were ecstatic when told Renee Powell was on the line and wanted to talk to them. The joy and happiness they expressed to speak with a living legend was indescribable.
Kudos to Mr. Roland Parrish, Rodney Baker (Event Coordinator), the Parrish Foundation staff, Golf Club of Dallas staff, State Senator Royce West, and Deputy Constable Tracy Gulley, the first African American female constable in Dallas County!
Celebrities included Dallas Cowboys legends and Super Bowl champions Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Everson Walls, Ray Mickens (NFL All-Pro), Tim Brown (NFL Hall of Famer and Heisman winner), Eugene Lockhart (Dallas Cowboys legend), Jonathan Scott (NFL Pro), Damontre Moore (New York Giants), and Roland Martin (American journalist). A full field of 144+ golfers, hundreds of volunteers, and countless supporters made this epic event possible, providing women a platform to showcase golf skills at the highest level.
Note: Renee Powell is currently head professional at Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio, alongside her brother Larry Powell, course superintendent. The duo continues the legacy of their parents, Dr. William “Bill” Powell and Mrs. Marcella Powell, who built Clearview in 1946. The course is still operating and will celebrate 80 years in 2026.
Hats off to Chris Arnold, emcee for the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Radio Hall of Famer, and Lady Jade, speaker, host, influencer, and media personality (K-104). Both did a phenomenal job as announcers and presenters!
An event of this magnitude could never have been successful without the hard work of Rodney Baker, Event Coordinator, and the many sponsors:
Title Sponsor: Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs
Presenting Sponsors: Hunt Realty Investments & Good Foundation, Matthews, Inspire Dallas, and Bank of America
Platinum Sponsors: Texas Rangers Foundation, ONCOR, Williams Chicken, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo, Black McDonald’s Operators Association, Charisse Smith & U.T.A., Judge Vonda Bailey
Gold Sponsors: Dallas Mavericks, Ijustgothit.com, U.T. Southwestern, Children’s Health, Break Bread, Baylor Scott & White, Smokey John’s BBQ, UNT Dallas, Russell Glen, Freedom Chevrolet By Morse, Dallas Area Patrol & Protection Services, J.P. Morgan Chase, Regions Bank, and Von’s Vision (founded by Super Bowl champion Von Miller)
Silver Sponsors: Frost Bank, Concord Church, Methodist Health System Foundation, Victoria Elliott-GEICO, Guide Right Foundation (Dallas Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.), Thomas Financial, Pepsi, Girls Scouts, Hilton Anatole Hotel, Stage View Live
In-Kind Sponsors: Halo Executive, Breakfast Brothers, Smoothie King, Dallas Wings, K104, 107.5, Raising Cane’s, Starbucks, Snappy Catfish, Witherspoon Law Group, Gentlemen’s Toast
Results of Women’s Invitational Professional/Amateur Competition:
1st Place – Kendall Jackson ($2,000)
2nd Place – April McCoy ($1,500)
3rd Place – Makalia Brown ($1,000)
4th Place – Kennedi Lee ($500)
Congratulations, ladies! Special thanks to PGA Head Pro Clay Wonnell, Assistant PGA Pro Jeremy Brown, Grounds Superintendent, and the entire Golf Club of Dallas staff for preparing a pro-tournament-ready course!
Get Ready, Be Ready! This event sold out in May 2025—four months before the September 12th date! Keep your eyes and ears open for 2026 dates and information from the Foundation.
Pro/Am Women Invitational Competition requires a valid USGA handicap of 10.0 or better, stroke play only. Details TBA. Please note: There is no handicap required to participate in the Roland Parrish Scramble Format, as long as space is available!
