BY AAGD STAFF
October 27, 2020
PINEHURST, NC — 35-year-old professional golfer Shasta Averyhardt 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 this week.
The call happened on Monday, when Averyhardt joined Blue Cross NC for their Virtual Executive Women’s Day discussing “Taking Back Your Time: Balancing Life at Home and in the Workplace.”
“I saw that I was number three alternate list and I knew that I had written in for an exemption this week. I was wondering when they were going to make this decision,” said Averyhardt. “Then last week I had a quick call with Blue Cross NC, and on the call the invitation was extended for Pinehurst. I kept my composure as best I could, but when I got off the call I was overwhelmed, and I was telling the people around me ‘I just got a sponsor exemption’.”
When Averyhardt headed into her very first LPGA season, 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.” The 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.
During her first year on the LPGA Tour Averhardt experienced challenges that come from such a rigorous practice and playing schedule, all while she kept a secret from her parents, and her beloved fans—she suffered from tendonitis in both wrists.
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After stepping away from golf for several years to rethink her life strategy, Averyhardt is fighting to reclaim a spot on the LPGA Tour. Her talents and appeal among women who enjoy the game is phenomenal and she 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.
Over the years, Averyhardt has received support from organizations and individuals who have aided in her achievements. An Orlando-based Black women’s golf club called Sisters Across America helped her to get on the LPGA tour by covering some of the enormous expenses — entry fees, travel, equipment and other necessities that aspiring pros incur.
Averyhardt is perhaps definitely most grateful for the massive outpouring of well-wishes and support as she now prepares to step onto the greens at Pinehurst. We’ll be watching—and cheering her on.
