Black women professional athletes influence young women in sports. However, they also often deal with controversy in the media. Insider reported times Serena Williams endured racism throughout her career. LSU basketball player, Angel Reese shared her frustrations when trolls chastised her for waving her hand in an opponent’s face. Black women in golf may also feel slighted.
Due to misrepresentation, professional golfer, Amaya Athill co-founded the group, Black Women Golfers. She hopes to provide a safe space for Black women golfers.
From the Start
The native Antiguan, created this environment for marginalized Black golfers to communicate their issues while loving the game. Athill told 21Ninety she grew up playing golf in her native country. There, she felt a sense of belonging since her peers looked like her. However, when she moved to Canada she experienced a culture shock. Black women were not represented well in the sport.
Athill wrote a piece for ScoreGolf about her group. Black Women Golfers member, Jenn Killingbeck says played golf for 15 years and barely met a Black woman in the sport. Even though she enjoyed the game, she never connected with her male counterparts because of her identity. Another member, Nicole Lewis said she often felt isolated playing golf. Lewis has played the sport for 25 years and says she became complacent playing rounds with men.
Athill met with Lewis, Killingbeck and other “racialized” male golfers last summer. They all became fast friends and after meeting , Athill helped establish the movement. Black Women Golfers began conceptualizing ways to help Black women golfers have their voices heard.
Black Women Golfers’ Legacy
Athill and the members activated their Instagram account to build a community of prospective members. The group aims to foster a home for Black women to connect and grow in golf. Athill told 21 Ninety they will establish intro to golf lessons for Black Women interested in the sport. She added the lesson will be an hour long and address the barriers that exist in golf. Athill said coaches will attend sessions to aid with participation.
Athill told 21 Ninety she wants the organization’s legacy to motivate Black women to feel comfortable playing golf. She hopes her group will inspire the next generation.