African Americans in Golf 

Features

The Journey of African Americans in Golf

African American Golf History Activity Book

Roaring Lambs International Junior Golf Academy  

Gladys M. Lee, Founder and Executive Director

720 Adolphus Circle #2504

Fort Worth, Texas 76120

www.roaringlambs.org

Roaring Lambs International Junior Golf Academy was established in 1986. Since its inception, this outstanding organization has served over 2000 competitive junior golfers. Roaring Lambs not only focuses on golf, but it also encourages students to make positive decisions regarding education and careers choices. This non-profit organization has assisted many of its students in obtaining college scholarships, and some Roaring Lambs Academy graduates are currently serving in the United States military. Founder/Executive Director Gladys Lee is a LPGA "Class B" Member.

Celebrity Golf Club International

Sole-owner: Julius Erving (former NBA player known as Dr. J)

4445 Britt Road

Tucker, Georgia 30084

Phone: 770-493-4653

www.celebritygolfclub.com 

Celebrity Golf Club International, a semi-private golf club, is located outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It was initially purchased, in 2006, as Heritage Golf Club with Julius Erving as co-owner. In 2008, Erving became sole owner. Heritage was renamed Celebrity Golf Club International in November 2008.

Celebrity Golf Club International boasts 27 holes of fun and challenging golf, a 20-acre practice facility, pro shop, and restaurant with bar and grill. PGA and LPGA professionals offer individual and group lessons. Burdette Hawkins is head golf professional.

Amateur Golfers

Mary Burton

Born 1897, she started playing golf in 1944 at the age of 47. Her husband taught her how to play golf. Their passion for the game included painting golf balls red, so they could play golf in the snow. Burton won more than 150 trophies during her 29-year golf career. At the young age of 76, she captured her last trophy at a tournament in Columbus, Ohio. Burton died in 1982.

Vernice Turner

Vernice was a two-time United Golfers Association (UGA) national champion; she won in 1958 and 1961. She won numerous local events. Vernice and her husband, David Robert Turner Sr., were avid golfers. Both were chartered members of Apex Golf Club (Pomona, New Jersey), the first African American-owned golf course in the state of New Jersey. Vernice Turner died in August 2009.

Learn more about African American Golf History in "A Missing Link In History" and "African American Golf History Activity Book".

(right) Gladys Lee, LPGA Member with Dr. Betsy Clark, past LPGA Vice President of Professional Development

Julius Erving (Dr. J), sole-owner, Celebrity Golf Club International

Burdette Hawkins, Head Golf Professional, Celebrity Golf Club International