The New Majority: houston's minority news reader

HOUSTON'S OLDEST NEW MAJORITY GOLF ASSOCIATION KICKS OFF ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT: But Lone Star Golf Association needs community help to survive

What once was the only golf association Houston's New Majority African Americans could join is now losing membership to old age and organizations which once discriminated based on skin color.
"It's very difficult," said Eugene Floyd, a past president of Lone Star Golf Association. "A lot of high profile Blacks won't have anything to do with Lone Star when they have so much access to other associations. You add that to the fact that many of our older members are dying off and you have a bad situation."

Another oxymoronic detail for the 51 member organization? For the better part of its 61 year history, Lone Star has had its biggest golf tournament fundraiser at Memorial Park Golf Course, one of the many golf courses which did not allow Blacks to play before 1970. That's because the current Houston Golf Association and the city of Houston wanted something Lone Star had; the name.
"We used to be Houston Golf Association. And the city said 'If you give us the name, we'll let you play at Memorial,'" said Mr. Floyd. And thus the Charles M. Washington Memorial Golf Classic will kick off its 60th annual tournament Friday, June 15 through Sunday, June 17. Mr. Washington was one of four original founders of the old Houston Golf Association in 1946.

"Lone Star was founded in order to give Blacks the opportunity to play," said Mary Hall, Lone Star's current president. "We've always been opened to anyone who wanted to play. But now we are concentrating our membership efforts on other minority groups, women and youth."

Ms. Hall is the first woman to serve as president in Lone Star history. The current 6 female golfers mark the highest number ever for the association. Added to Lone Star's membership push are youth.
"We are putting our focus on our junior golfers. The older golfers give free lessons in the hope that one day they (junior golfers) will carry this organization for another 50 or 100 years," said Ms. Hall.
Six to 17 years of age is the requirement to be part of the United States Golf Association (USGA) recognized group. Already Lone Star has seen dividends from some of their junior golfers.

Maggie Noel who first participated in the seven week program at age six is now playing golf at North Texas in Denton. She's won both state and national junior USGA tournaments.
"She beat Tiger Woods niece at nationals," said Ms. Hall who added that recent Texas Southern University Graduate and golf team member Phyllis Johnson received her start from Lone Star.
Besides the tournament at Memorial, Lone Star has four other tournaments a year at Herman and Gus Wortham Golf Courses. Much of the money raised is given out in the form of two annual college scholarships.

"We've had to decrease the number of tournaments we have because of competition from other organizations. Much of the money to help fund Lone Star comes from members," said Ms. Hall.
Lone Star's membership includes a virtual "who's who" in Houston's New Majority African American community. Congressman Al Green, heart specialist Dr. James Young, Mary Donatto (business owner), lawyers, doctors and other professional members are all a part of Lone Star.
"They prefer to stay in the background. I always say Lone Star is the best kept secret in Houston," said Ms. Hall.

However, it's a secret which could prove to be Lone Star's death nail says Mr. Floyd. "We are appealing for this community's help. Let's network. Let's get to know each others families. Let's play golf," said Mr. Floyd.

To find out about membership and the 60th annual Charles M. Washington Memorial Golf Classic call Lone Star Golf Association at (713) 520-7878 or go to the website at lsgahoustongolf.com

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