
Golf organization offers minority representation
Women of Color Golf is a non-profit organization founded in 2014 in Tampa. After three years of operation, WOCG has exposed over 350 minority women and girls to the fundamentals of golf in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Washington, D.C.
Clemmie C. Perry, founder and executive director of Women of Color Golf, believes that golf can help women accomplish their dreams. Perry states that being in executive positions has allotted her the opportunity to play golf.
The Florida A&M University alumna has gained over 20 years of experience working for two Fortune 500 Companies, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Florida Power & Light Company.
Aside from her professional career, Perry said that she has always had an interest in golf and began playing in 2013. After experiencing a lack of diversity on the golf course, Perry wanted to make a change.
She is now turning her passion into a national movement to make a difference in the lives of women and girls through the sport.
“I didn’t see any women on the golf course who looked like me,” Perry said. “WOCG is creating pathways for women to enter the game. Golf is about access. Golf is giving Black women access to business relationships they would never have. We can’t get [career advancements or new business clients], if we don’t build new relationships through golf.”
Likewise, the mentoring program Girls on the Green Tee was designed for girls between the ages 10 -17, responding to the ongoing need for strong, accomplished, and resilient female role-models.
WOCG and GOTGT seeks to encourage women to become interested in golf through lessons, activities, and partnerships with Hillsborough Community College, Continuing Education, Golfer’s Grail and Tampa Sports Authority.
Recently, WOCG and GOTGT received recognition by President Barack Obama as a U.S. White House Champion of Change for Extracurricular Enrichment for Marginalized Girls. They were also the recipient of the 2017 Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award.
Perry was inspired by Renee Powell, the second African-American woman to play in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour. Powell was one of three African-Americans to play in the LPGA tour to date.
Powell is also the daughter of William Powell, the only African-American to design, build, own and operate a golf course in the United States, Clearview Golf Course.
“My father and I were both inducted into the Northern Ohio Professional Golf Association as well as the PGA Hall of Fame as the only father, daughter PGA members.” Renee said.
The Golf Diversity & Inclusion Research Report for the World Golf Foundation, led by Dr. Michael Cooper, has provided numerous statistics for minority women in golf. In a study revisited by Cooper in 2015, the National Golf Foundation reported that the total number of golf participants was approximately 24.9 million with 4.9 million minority participants. Approximately 293,000 individuals from this total were African-American females.
Livi Grant, who is a sophomore in FAMU’s School of Business & Industry, serves as a student ambassador for WOCG.
“I was elected to become a WOCG Ambassador, which I found extremely beneficial and fulfilling. I believe to whom much is given, much is expected. I embrace the role of trying to increase the involvement of minorities and women, like myself, in the game and business of golf,” Grant said.
Grant also received the opportunity to intern with the 117th U.S. Open during the summer of 2017.
WOCG continues to make an impact on the lives of African-American women by following the vision created by Perry. Through her dedication she has paved the way for women to potentially build a successful legacy in golf.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More thefamuanonline News Articles
- McCrary leads pre physical therapy group
- Keke’s Breakfast Cafe debuts
- Student Health Services targets Valentine’s Day
- Student couple discusses journey toward relationship
Recent thefamuanonline News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THEFAMUANONLINE

FAMU baseball hungry for a MEAC championship By Sterling Bright | Assistant Sports Editor

McCrary leads pre physical therapy group By Tychae Grays I Staff Reporter

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe debuts By Catisha Joseph I Staff Reporter

Freight Yard complex may transform Railroad Square By Alyssa Camacho I Staff Reporter
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THEFAMUANONLINE NEWS
RECENT THEFAMUANONLINE CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- How Do We Know LASIK Is Safe?
- Building A Medicaid Bipartisan Bridge
- Footballer Jerry Rice Makes Big Play For Kidney Health
- Tips For Easy Snow Removal
- Thirty Years Of Perfect Harmony To Help Kids
- An IRS Incentive To Save For Retirement
- How To Wow The One Who Wows You
- Top Roofing Trends
- Living Better With Chronic Respiratory Diseases
- Prevent CO Poisoning
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Online Conference Connects Global Startups and Investors
- Corporate Takeover Tale Offers Blueprint for Survival
- Women Say They're Ready to Put Their Money to Work for Them
- This Year, Rethink The Way You Plan a Vacation
- Fall in Love with UPtv's New Uplifting Series: Design Twins
- Pop the Question with the Perfect Song
- Post-Holiday Wake-up Call: Signs Senior Loved Ones May...
- New Year, New Goals: Tools to Get You Where You Want to Go
- How Self-Publishing Made This Author A Best-Seller
- Big Swings in The Market Haven't Dampened People's Optimism
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Enter the 2019 SVG/NACDA College Sports Media Awards Today!
- Cengage Offers College Students Free Access to Career Resources with Cengage Unlimited Subscription
- ACTA Launches HowCollegesSpendMoney.com
- Nikon Announces The Second Year Of The Nikon Storytellers Scholarship, Reaffirming Its Commitment To Education For The Next Generation of Creators
- New Survey: Demand for Uniquely Human Skills Increases Even as Technology and Automation Replace Some Jobs