January 16, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
photos by Ali Palma
After stepping away from golf for several years to rethink her life strategy, Shasta Averyhardt is fighting to reclaim a spot on the LPGA Tour. In October 2020, the 35-year-old received a recent phone call that would be remembered forever, the presenting sponsor, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, had selected the Flint, Michigan native along with Emilia Migliaccio (Cary, NC) to receive sponsor exemptions to compete. Things were heading back in the right direction for Averyhardt.
When Averyhardt headed into her very first LPGA season in 2009, she recalled during a Symetra Tour interview, “To be honest, I felt like I needed to represent a lot of people. I was following in the footsteps of Althea Gibson, Renee Powell and LaRee Sugg and needed to step up my game.”
Averyhardt stepped right into those big footsteps as the first African American golfer on the LPGA Tour since 2001 when she qualified in 2010 for the 2011 tour. The 6’1″ multi-racial golfer is the child of a Latina mother and Black father. Both parents have continuously supported her professional golfing ambitions since she took up the game at the tender age of seven, gifted with a pink set of golf clubs from her dad.
One of just a handful of Black women to tee off in the LPGA, her talents and appeal among women who enjoy the game are phenomenal.
Determined to ‘give back’ and open doors for others in her community the Jackson State graduate (attending on a full athletic scholarship) recorded nine wins in collegiate competition, serves as an ambassador for Women of Color Golf, a not-for-profit group that promotes minority women’s and girls’ involvement in the sport. Averyhardt also mentors young minority girls who aspire to play golf in college, professionally, and/or work in the golf industry.
Sporadically throughout the year, “I donate my gently used golf clothing, equipment, training aids., etc., to junior programs that have a minority demographic such as an organization called A Perfect Swing founded by Ashaunta Epps. Her dedication and work with the junior golfers is unmatched, and I like to help them when I can,” says Averyhardt.
Over the years, Averyhardt has received support from organizations and individuals who have aided in her achievements. The Orlando-based Black women’s golf club Sisters Across America helped her to get on the LPGA tour by covering some of the enormous expenses such as entry fees, travel, equipment, and other necessities that aspiring pros incur.
An animal lover, Averyhardt supports organizations that benefit the welfare of exploited animals and contributes monetarily. “I have a soft spot for animals and to see organizations that express love and care to creatures that are voiceless is special.” With her kind heart and strong ambitions, Averyhardt’s fans are cheering her on.
