A golf membership for Black women and ladies in Cincinnati is celebrating virtually 50 years of inclusivity.
The Les Birdies Golf Club, shaped in 1976, is a sisterhood filled with sturdy women on the greens.
Barbara Cooksey, 86, is one in all the final residing founding members.
“(*50*) was not a pleasant environment and we [were] decided to play the sport,” mentioned Cooksey.
She and different women broke barriers practically 50 years in the past trying for a platform to play golf.
“We stored pushing and we determined that our membership could be skilled Black women,” Cooksey mentioned.
Other women finally joined the golf membership over the years.
“I didn’t begin taking part in golf till 5 years in the past,” mentioned Jackie Parker, membership chair of Les Birdies Golf Club.
Parker acquired loads of classes earlier than changing into a Les Birdie.
She credit Ms. Barbara Cooksey for spending loads of time together with her on the golf course.
“(*50*)’s been an dependancy for me,” mentioned Parker. “I really like the sport, I really like the girls and I really like the experiences that I’ve had they usually have gotten me to the level now the place I’m snug taking part in in tournaments.”
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Black women golf membership celebrates 50 years
The golf membership has now develop into a secure haven for women breaking barriers on the greens.
“They will assist you determine what you probably did improper,” mentioned Parker. “They even take a look at you want ‘do you know what you probably did improper?’ So it creates that secure house that makes studying the sport quite a bit much less threatening or intimidating.”
They’re identified for their athleticism and repair in the neighborhood.
The membership has given out $50,000 in scholarships to deserving younger women over the final 30 to 40 years.
They hope this may encourage the subsequent technology of Black women golfers to affix the Les Birdies Golf Club.
“(*50*) makes me proud that I’m a part of a terrific group of girls,” Cooksey mentioned.
More info on the Les Birdies Golf Club will be discovered right here.
This story was initially revealed by Taylor Woods with the Scripps News Group.
