Women of Color Golf (WOCG) and Edward Waters University (EWU) have created a community outreach partnership for the re-birth of the EWU Women’s Golf Team, after seven years, to be led by L’Shaun Overton, Amazon Executive, DE&I Community Partnerships, said WOCG Founder/Executive Director Clemmie Perry in a statement released today.
“Congratulations L’Shaun Scott-Overton on this exciting opportunity to lead the WOCG initiative to support HBCU Women’s Golf!” said Ms. Perry on her LinkedIn page. As part of the new partnership, the golf team will receive golf sportswear apparel, shoes, and accessories. In addition, they will be matched with a WOCG Executive Mentor.
In May 2022 Edward Waters College started the program with the signing of state champion golfer Leiahnni Smith from Lima Central Catholic High School in Lima, Ohio, as its first recruit to the revived Women’s Golf Team.
Golf returned to the state’s first HBCU with the help of a $50,000 donation from THE PLAYERS. The desperately needed funding was used to help reinstate the women’s golf program at Edward Waters College.
Located In Jacksonville, Fla., the private Christian school was founded in 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to educate freedmen (newly emancipated Blacks following the Civil War) and their children. From humble beginnings at Brown Theological Institute in Live Oaks Florida, and later as Florida East Scientific and Divinity School, to becoming Edward Waters Junior College and then Edward Waters College. In 1979, the school officially changed its name to Edward Waters University.
Just 30 minutes from the PGA TOUR’s flagship property and global home, Edward Waters University is now one of only two HBCUs in Florida to offer a dedicated women’s golf program. THE PLAYERS’ grant was pivotal in helping EWU recruit and select a coach, fund student-athlete scholarships and assist with overall operational expenses.
The donation check was presented back in May at the EWU campus with leadership, trustees and staff of both organizations in attendance. Broadcast publicly, via a live-streamed press conference, THE PLAYERS Executive Director Jared Rice and 2022 Tournament Chairman Matt Welch presented EWU President Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr. and EWC Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant. Joining them were several past tournament chairmen (Red Coats), who were on hand to deliver more than $10,000 in golf supplies and merchandise for the team.
“When the EWC team shared their vision with us and indicated that the revitalization of the women’s golf program was a primary focus for the College, we were inspired to support their mission,” said Rice during the presentation. “As home to the PGA TOUR and host of its flagship event, we are committed to efforts that reflect our mission and values of being good stewards in the communities where we play. We are honored by the opportunity to help elevate the student-athlete experience at EWC and promote and grow the game of golf right in our hometown.”
“Edward Waters College is fortunate to be aligned with outstanding organizations such as THE PLAYERS Championship and PGA TOUR,” said Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., president and CEO. “This donation will not only reinvigorate the women’s golf team, it will attract talented women to attend Edward Waters College from across the country due to the name recognition of our new partners. We thank the leadership and volunteers of THE PLAYERS and PGA TOUR for this special investment in the College’s athletics program and look forward to becoming a competitive force in women’s golf soon.”
The women’s golf program at EWC was first introduced in 2007 and was discontinued in 2015 following budget and program challenges. As part of EWC’s newly adopted strategic plan, Eminence 2025, the College is reengineering its Division of Athletics to prioritize gender equity ratio in sports across all competition facets.
In addition, EWC announced plans to launch a Student-Athlete Golf Mentor Program, a dual-purpose initiative that will engage student-athletes to serve as mentors in unique professional development environments – including exposure to career opportunities within the PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS network – as well as off-campus volunteer experiences with community-based programs.
The PGA TOUR has a long-standing history of positively impacting the communities where it plays. Most recently, the organization and its tournaments have pledged a stronger commitment to efforts that are advancing diversity, equity and inclusion priorities in its host communities
About Edward Waters University
Edward Waters University (EWU), accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), is a private, historically Black, urban college that offers a liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the Christian principles of high moral and spiritual values. The school was established in 1866 and is an African Methodist Episcopal Church-related institution of learning. It is the first private institution of higher education in the State of Florida.
About THE PLAYERS Championship
THE PLAYERS Championship annually combines the strongest field in golf with the world-class venue that is THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Grant Thornton LLP, Optum® and Morgan Stanley are the exclusive Proud Partners of THE PLAYERS. Proceeds from THE PLAYERS benefit Northeast Florida charities and have totaled more than $100 million since it began in 1974 and moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977. For more on THE PLAYERS, visit THEPLAYERS.com. For more on the surrounding areas, visit floridashistoriccoast.com or visitjacksonville.com.
