When Tiffany Fitzgerald ventured into golf during the early 2000s, she viewed it as a strategic move rather than a passion and her journey in the game wasn’t driven by a natural inclination towards the sport. Despite her athleticism and upbringing in Oakland, California, she hadn’t been exposed to golf in her youth. It was her ambition for career advancement that ultimately led her to give it a try.
Working in the marketing sector for a heavy-equipment manufacturing firm in Iowa, she navigated an industry primarily populated by white men. Despite the prevalence of golf outings among her colleagues, she was consistently excluded. Tiffany, didn’t even know any golfers outside of Tiger Woods. Driven to cultivate professional connections within her industry and despite lacking prior experience, she procured a set of clubs and made her way to the local municipal course, relying on the hope that someone there would offer guidance.
At the Iowa MUNY course, she found herself enrolled in a group lesson surrounded by couples, where she stood out as the sole Black participant, feeling conspicuously overlooked. Faced with discomfort and isolation, she resolved to teach herself the game.
By 2013, the Grambling State University alum had come became a more experienced golfer. Motivated to ensure that others didn’t face the same hurdles, in 2013 she established Black Girls Golf, aiming to provide Black women with access to the sport and a supportive community across various courses.
Teeing Up Sisterhood
“I founded Black Girls Golf after spending 10 years in Corporate America and noticing how many opportunities were available to women who played golf,” says Tiffany. Her initial outreach via social media yielded an impressive turnout of twenty-six women for her inaugural golf clinic in Atlanta. Since then, the organization has flourished, becoming the largest golf network for African American women and girls, with more than 4,000 members in 35 states and 10 countries.
Members have the opportunity to obtain a class pass, granting them access to reduced green fees and discounted group lessons. Fitzgerald organizes meet-ups for members to enjoy rounds of golf together or gather for special events like a Masters watch party, Sunday Swing, Executive Retreats, and Top Golf Get Togethers. Additionally, virtual meetings such as Golf 101 master classes cover various topics including golf club technology, the significance of club fitting, as well as rules and golf etiquette.
Fitzgerald organizes group golf clinics and meetups for special events like a Masters watch party, Sunday Swing, Executive Retreats, and Topgolf Get Togethers. Additionally, virtual meetings such as Golf 101 master classes cover various topics including golf club technology, the significance of club fitting, as well as rules and golf etiquette. Membership is free and open to golfers of every level. Learn more at blackgirlsgolf.net. Also, check out her new book, “Playing From The Rough” on Amazon.
