UMES makes history with ALL female golf team participate in University Cup in Georgia
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – A historic group of lady golfers from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore made the trek to Atlanta, Georgia. They did this to participate in the PGA University Championship Cup.
UMES, Director PGM Golf Management Program, G.Sean Schley, said it was means everything to him. “It was a historic moment, because this is the only time in the history of the university championship that there has been an all-female team,” said Schley. “It was probably the highlight of my life.”
Back in 2008, UMES was the first historically Black College to join the Professional Golf Association, Golf Management Program. The University Program is a four and a half-year structured college curriculum for aspiring PGA Professionals, accredited by The PGA of America, and includes extensive classroom studies, internships, and player development.
The college now has become the first all-female team to compete in the University Cup at Atlanta National Golf Club. Charlene Pak represented the Ladyhawks, “I could have played better, but I think I played my best, and showcased all my abilities on the course that day.”
Her teammate, Hailey Fisher, said playing at Atlanta Golf Club is one of her biggest achievements. The course is world-renowned in the golfing world.
“Getting that chance to play that course is always an honor, because it holds such a title in the golf industry.”
The trip however didn’t come without some challenges. Schley tells WMDT, there were many aspects that made things difficult. One being the UPS crash that held all the UMES uniforms. Schley the tragedy a shame on all fronts.
He added that the flights didn’t make things easier. “We arrive at 5:30 in the morning, and be told our flight has been cancelled, and our next flight will not leave until almost 10:30 p.m. that evening.”
The young lady golfers also had to battle the wind and colder weather in Atlanta. These conditions make golfing competitively extremely difficult. Bushra Fadima is from Pakistan. She moved from the country to attend UMES and continue her golfing career.
She ranks in the under-18 category as first in golf for Pakistan. She has been that ranking for 3 years. Fadima is used to warmer weather golfing and said playing in the South in November was challenging.
“In Atlanta, it was so cold, so I had chocolates. I love eating chocolates when I’m playing,” said Fadima.
Keziah Threalkill is a UMES senior from Nashville, TN. She played the game since the age of five, and said golfing is a special sport/hobby. She acknowledges the struggles of being a Black woman and said playing the sport makes her unique.
“Be different aside from what the normal is, being a Black girl. I feel like playing golf is something that sets me aside, so it’s been something I have cherished my whole life.”
Schley said UMES has one of the best PGM programs in America. “That it retains and recruits the brightest and best female golfers and male golfers as well.”
The college plans to host a Thanksgiving feast Thursday, November 20th. They hope the event builds community, gratitude, and family. They are asking for donations of a gift cards that will support deserving students.
You can email Administrative Assistant, Latoya Ray, at llray@umes.edu.
