They Came Before Tiger Woods: Wake-Robin Golf Club, Inc

The article “They Came Before Tiger Woods: Wake-Robin Golf Club, Inc” was originally published in February 2020

Will be taking a look at golfers who came before Tiger Woods and the struggles to play the game in a segregated society. Today, we take a look at the ladies of the Wake-Robin Golf Club — the oldest African American Women’s Golf Club in the United States.

A Legacy Born From Necessity

Indeed, the Wake-Robin Golf Club is the oldest African American Women’s Golf Club in the United States. Founded on April 22, 1937 by Helen Webb Harris in Washington, D.C., the club was born out of necessity. During an era of segregation, Black women were barred from public and private golf courses. As a result, the founding 13 members — many of them wives of the all-Black, all-male Royal Golf Club — were tired of staying home while their husbands played golf. Consequently, Helen Webb Harris, an educator, gathered them together and turned their frustration into a movement. Their nickname? “The Golf Widows.” As current President Vicki Smith laughs, “Now my husband is a golf widow because I play golf more than he does.”

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Investing in the Next Generation

Additionally, the Wake-Robin Golf Club has created the Helen Webb Harris Scholarship Fund, honoring the memory of their founder. Specifically, the annual Helen Webb Harris Golf Tournament, held each June, raises money to award scholarships to young African American women pursuing golf and higher education. In fact, Former President Phyllis Stevenson Jenkins explains the club’s expanding vision: “We have seen the benefits that you can get in playing the game of golf. Now, naturally, our hope is we’ll get somebody to go on the pro circuit.”

How Golf Found Them

Notably, these pioneering women have put in the work to open doors for those who came after them. In some cases, the game of golf literally saved their lives. For example, Former President Phyllis Stevenson Jenkins shares how golf found her during a critical moment: “I was critically ill. I was a corporate American person. I worked, worked, worked, worked, never had time for any fun. However, in intensive care, you get to thinking — what am I doing right, what am I doing wrong. One of the things I felt I needed to do better is put time in there for myself.” Today, we hear a piece of their story, told by three women: President Vicki Smith, Vice President Kimberly Robinson, and Former President Phyliss Stevenson Jenkins of the Wake-Robin Golf Club.

Opening Doors Beyond the Course

Beyond the golf course, the Wake-Robin Golf Club has long understood that golf opens doors in every aspect of life. Specifically, President Vicki Smith stresses the importance of networking: “People who have the means can get you to a higher level. Even if they don’t play golf, there are opportunities in the golf world and in the front office where they can make all the decisions. We’re trying to educate our young girls to take that next step.” Similarly, Vice President Kimberly Robinson adds that being part of Wake-Robin helped her realize what was missing: “Before coming to Wake-Robin, I really didn’t know of any African American women who were on tour. I didn’t really have anyone to look up to.”

Life Lessons From the Fairway

In addition to opening doors, the Wake-Robin Golf Club has always recognized golf as a powerful vehicle for personal development. As Phyllis Stevenson Jenkins powerfully states: “Golf teaches camaraderie and how to interact with people. It builds management skills that will help you in your job, in your life, in your marriage, and in bringing up your children.” Similarly, Vicki Smith echoes the sentiment: “Golf requires focus and concentration — it’s not a simple thing of just hitting the ball. Thinking, planning, and managing are all required, and those skills translate directly into your day-to-day life.” Furthermore, after a mistake on the course, Smith puts it plainly: “You’re going to make mistakes, but it’s what you do after that. You learn from your mistakes. Period.”

Nevertheless, despite their talent and dedication, African American women golfers continue to face systemic barriers in the professional ranks. Specifically, Jenkins points to the data: among the top 185 ranked women golfers globally, the first African American on the list doesn’t appear until No. 100 — and that’s Mariah Stackhouse. Cheyenne Woods, granddaughter of golfer Lee Elder, is ranked around No. 153. “They are qualified to do so, but many times the reason is lack of endorsements,” says Jenkins. As a result, the Wake-Robin Golf Club remains committed to changing that reality. In addition, Kimberly Robinson underscores the importance of the front office pipeline: “A lot of colleges now have golf management as one of their majors. Therefore, the women need to focus on getting into that front office so we can make some change — so they can be in the decision-making position.” As Phyllis Stevenson Jenkins puts it best: “It’s not how you arrive, it’s how you finish.”

1. Golf Club Members

A large group of women at the Wake Robin women’s golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, August 28, 1943. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

2. Golf Competition

A married couples competition round with African-American women members from the Wake Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, August 22, 1959. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

3. Golfers

A photograph of a large group of women golfers at the Wake-Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, June 28, 1941. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

4. Winners

A large group of women golfers holding trophies, the tournament winners at the Wake Robin golf club, an African-American womens golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, September 5, 1959.

5. Fundraiser

A hospital golf charity tournament at the Wake Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC at which two men will appear, one Paul Hahn a trick shot specialist, Washington DC, August 8, 1964. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

6. Winning Golfer

Mrs Elizabeth Rice, an African-American woman and winner of a trophy in a competition at the Wake-Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, 1938. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

7. Golf Tournament

Women members of at the Wake-Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, August 29, 1989. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

8. Women Golfers

Two women, Sarah Smith and Ethel Finch, posing with a large trophy they won at the Wake Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, 1938. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

9. Golf Club Social

A group of African-American women in party dresses at the Wake-Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, January 6, 1944. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

10. Women Golfers

A group of women golfers holding golf clubs at the Wake Robin golf club, an African-American womens golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, April 6, 1938. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

11. Golf Club

A large group of women golfers holding trophies, the A group of women, tournament winners at the Wake Robin golf club, an African-American womens golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, February 26, 1938. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

12. Anniversary

A group of women golfers celebrating the 10th anniversary of the clubs foundation at the Wake-Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, June 6, 1947. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

13. Woman Golfer

A young woman golfer at the Wake-Robin golf club, an African-American golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, 1938. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

14. Winners

A large group of women golfers holding trophies, the tournament winners at the Wake Robin golf club, an African-American womens golf club in Washington DC, Washington DC, 1938. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)