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“We canceled the tournament in
2020 due to COVID, but returned in
2021. Now we are looking forward to
2022’s championship. is year the
theme will be Culture of a Champion,
focusing on leadership, equity, and
inclusion.”
While golfers from several colleges
and universities across the country
come together to compete upon the
emerald lawns of Stockbridge’s premier
golf course, the Women in Golf
Foundation aims to foster professional
development and create opportunities
for networking.
“e heart and soul of what we do is
about leadership and development,”
said Gould. “If we are honest with
ourselves…we have had maybe ve
or six ladies to go on to play golf at a
high-level, professionally. But they all
have this really great skill. Golf opens
so many doors and brings opportunities
that come your way because you
play golf. It’s a phenomenal opportunity
for them to showcase their skills
and make connections that could
advance their futures.”
Gould hopes the foundation can help
bridge the gap HBCUs experience
in comparison to other top schools
around the country.
“When you look at every underserved
community, that’s really what
is missing, the relationships, the
connections with the business world.
But here we can give business leaders
access to a very strong and talented
pool of young ladies,” explained
Gould. “We work to create the same
opportunities for these ladies that
other schools get all the time.”
According to Gould, the rst day
of the tournament gives players the
chance to mingle and network with
business leaders and play golf with
participating business scouts and
sponsors.
“We do not only focus on women of
color, but all women in general since
we have quite a bit of ground to make
up,” said Gould.
In addition to hosting the annual
14 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | SPRING 2022
National Women’s Collegiate Championship,
the National Women’s Golf
Foundation makes a sizable donation
to each of the participating schools
from funds raised through the tournament.
e foundation distributed
$25,000 between the golf programs
that played in the 2021 championship
games.
“For some of these small programs,
this money means new uniforms or
another trip to showcase their skills.
We give the money and the golf
coaches or schools decide how exactly
the money is used as long as it is used
for the golf programs,” said Gould.
Last year’s contribution was divided
among North Carolina A&T State
University, the 2021 National Women’s
Collegiate Golf Champions, Alabama
State University, Delaware State
University, Chicago State University,
Savannah State University, and Texas
Southern University.
Alabama State University, left,
came in second behind North
Carolina A&T State University
in last year’s 2021 National
Women’s Collegiate Golf
Championship.
is year’s tournament will be held
from April 25 to April 27, and will
feature female golfers from all over
the country. As of now, eight colleges
and universities have committed to
playing: Chicago State University,
Delaware State University, North
Carolina Central University, Savannah
State University, University of Maryland
Eastern Shore, Alabama State
University, North Carolina A&T State
University and Texas Southern.
Gould is encouraging more business
leaders to become sponsors and
attend the tournament in April to
support the players.
“We would love to have more businesses
sponsor us,” said Gould. “Anybody
who would like to meet some of
these young ladies or to play a round
of golf with them is welcome to come.”
To nd out how to become a sponsor,
visit www.womeningoloundation.org
or contact Gould at (770) 335-2364.
“The heart and
soul of what
we do is a bout
leadership and
development.
Golf opens so
many doors. It’s
an opportunity
to showcase
their skills
and make
connections that
could advance
their futures.”
/www.womeningol