This fabulously named club was founded by Dorthea Walker, an avid and highly skilled golfer in the early 1970s. Walker aspired to enhance the love of the golf game at the Highland Golf course where she started the love for her sisters and fellow African Americans.

By JAMES W. WADE III

Staff Reporter

When you think of the Glamorous Girls (GG) Golf Club you think of the phrase “girls just want to have fun.” This premier golf group for women of color meets at Highland Golf Course every Thursday for an 8:30 a.m. tee off.

Their mission is to promote the love of golf, camaraderie and sisterhood among fellow African-American women. Dressed in their bright yellow shirts, these ladies come to play and have fun.

This fabulously named club was founded by Dorthea Walker, an avid and highly skilled golfer in the early 1970s. Walker aspired to enhance the love of the golf game at the Highland Golf course where she started the love for her sisters and fellow African Americans.

In 1998 the GGs evolved into a formal golf club with the election of officers. They were Barbara Whitman, president; Mary Rucker, vice president; Dolores Fitzgerald, secretary; and Laura Hardenbaugh as treasurer. Since that time, the GGs have attracted at least 33-35 women golfers each year.

The current officers are a group united in promoting the mission of the club while enjoying the golf game. The 2011 officers are Barbara Reese, president; Mary Rucker, vice president; Cleo Royster, secretary; Patricia Byrd, treasurer; Dolores Groves, parliamentarian; and Elsie Williams, rules.

The club is not into forming leagues or competitive play. Its programs promote healthy personal development and relationships for African-American women through programs focused around the game of golf. The golf course and clubhouse are ideal venues for networking, socializing, making new friends and developing business relationships.

The National Golf Foundation reports that more than 780,000 women between the ages of 18 and 49 took up golf in the last few years. Forty-one percent of new golfers are women, representing the fastest growing segment of the golf industry.

The GGs season starts the first Thursday in May and ends the last Thursday in August culminating with an awards luncheon. There are three flights in this group A, B and C and 70 is the minimum score needed for membership eligibility.

New members are only accepted by invitation by members already in good standing in the group. Currently the GGs have 32 active members and one honorary member who is the most senior player, Roxie Riffe.

The GGs ensures that membership is well versed in the game of golf, and they have lots of fun while learning. From the game’s history to its jargon; from game rules to course etiquette; even addressing course fashions, the GGs cover it all.

The GGs members are: Harriet Bonner, Ethel Brundage, Eva Berry, Barbara Brown, Patricia Byrd, Ovetta Curry, Barbara Grover, Dolores Groves, Lillie Harris, Marilyn Hillard, Cynthia Jackson, Delores Henderson, Carol Malone, Evelyn Matthews, Yvonne McArthur, Vivian Melton, Jewel Price, Barbara Patterson, Barbara Reese, Essie Thomas, Roxie Riffe, Christine Robinson, Clara Robinson, Cleo Royster, Mary Rucker, Beverly Simmons, Diane Simpson, Barbara Spearman, Doris Thompson, Denise Turbeville, Addie Whaley, Wanda Wood-Knox and Laura Young.

Looking for a place to network, make a few friends and play a little golf? Join the GGs for 9 holes at the Highland Park Golf Course in Cleveland.