The Maryland State Golf Association – Women’s Division (MSGA-WD) Annual Meeting and luncheon was held on Thursday, November 1st at the Country Club at Woodmore. Sixty people were in attendance including MSGA-WD Executive Committee members (past and present), MSGA Board and staff, club delegates, course raters, rules officials, members, and special guests.
As part of the agenda, Rebecca Krimski, MSGA-WD Vice President, gave an overview of the Junior Girls Development initiatives and how effective they have been in supporting girls in our state. She acknowledged the Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation as well as ANA Airlines for their grants which allowed the MSGA-WD to grow the Junior Girls Golf Program over the past few years. Also, President Deb Watkins thanked Carol Mears, Course Rating Chair, for her years of service in that capacity as well as her dedication to rating before and after serving as Chair.
The MSGA-Women’s Division also honored Wake-Robin Golf Club with their Distinguished Service Award for their dedication and contributions to amateur golf. The Wake-Robin Golf Club is a minority women’s golf club founded in 1937 by Helen Webb Harris. It is the oldest registered Afro-American women’s golf club in the United States. The first meeting was held in 1936 at Mrs. Harris’ home with thirteen ladies. The founding members, several of whom were wives of Washington’s all-Black, all-male Royal Golf Club were tired of staying home weekends while their husbands played golf! They wanted to join in all the fun that golf had to offer. Wake-Robin’s overall mission is to foster and perpetuate women’s interest in the game of golf and provide them with the abilities and skills to participate in amateur competitive golf events. Core values include inclusiveness and diversity, volunteer service, mentoring and support of new golfers, and making a difference for amateur women’s golf. Their membership provides and encourages participation in numerous golf activities, involvement in community and charitable activities, networking opportunities and personal & professional growth through a buddy system.
Wake-Robin’s accomplishments are many, but following are a few. In 1938, the members helped push the process of desegregating the public courses of the District of Columbia by petitioning the Secretary of Interior that ultimately contributed to the opening of Langston Golf Course where Black golfers had a golf course to call their own. Continued pressure from Wake Robin and the Royal Golf club ultimately led to the 1941 order opening public golf courses to all.
In addition, their charitable efforts are significant and support numerous organizations in the community such as First Tee, Langston Junior boys’ and girls’ programs and various women’s needs. Proceeds from most of their fundraising are used to sponsor a scholarship for college bound minority female students who have distinguished themselves in golf, academics and community involvement. In addition, they have a Scholar Award that is merit based and recognizes academic achievement for young golfers.
Their achievements have been recognized beyond our area. In 2011, Wake Robin received the African American Golfers Digest Outstanding Leaders in Golf Award and in 2013 the club was inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame. Over the last two years, Wake-Robin Golf Club has been featured in ten news stories and documentaries combined.
Deb Watkins presented the President of Wake-Robin, Kimberly Robinson with an award on behalf of all of the current and prior members of Wake-Robin. In appreciation of all of their accomplishments, Wake-Robin was presented with a donation to the Helen Webb Harris Scholarship Fund.
The meeting was adjourned just before 2:00 pm.
