Atlanta Youth Make History as First All-Black Golf Team to Win State Championship
The Varsity Boys golf team of the Drew Charter School in Atlanta made history after becoming the first public school team in Georgia to win a golf state championship. The team was made up of all blacks.
The Varsity boys golf team, have done the entire black community proud after emerging champions in the golf state championship making them the first team, comprising of African-Americans predominantly, to emerge victoriously.
The Varsity Boys Golf Team was recognized with a proclamation by @atlcouncil this afternoon! Congrats Eagles! #flyhigher pic.twitter.com/2NpcEHZF1V
— Drew Charter School (@DrewCharter) July 1, 2019
THE TREND BREAKERS
The team earned their victory, courtesy of coach Nyre Williams, who was formerly a golfer before his retirement. The legendary golf team is peculiar for being made up of African-American golfers, and an equally black trail of the coaching staff.
A VICTORY TO REMEMBER
The state finals held in May, where the Varsity boys bagged a win against Gordon Lee, the two-time defending state champions. The winning margin was impressive, with the team topping their contenders with over fifteen strokes.
The Varsity Boys Golf Team had a great first round at the High School Golf National Invitational in Orlando. Solomon Dobbs and Anthony Ford shot in the 70s. Way to go Eagles! #flyhigher pic.twitter.com/erp069Mho6
— Drew Charter School (@DrewCharter) June 27, 2019
A DATE WITH HISTORY
The team members, who admittedly came prepared to make history at the tournament could hardly believe their good fortune when the defending champions conceded to them.
In an interview, one of the team members expressed his sentiments on behalf of his team. He said:
“We’re making history. We’ve got even bigger stakes on us now, after going to the national championship. Being the only black team there, it just means a lot. We’ve got a lot of people rooting for us.”
The Varsity Boys Golf Team is preparing for Nationals on Thursday and Friday in Orlando, Florida. Practice Round #1 was a great success! Go Eagles! #flyhigher pic.twitter.com/nl3el0PbmK
— Drew Charter School (@DrewCharter) June 26, 2019
THE BITTER EFFORT
Their victory did not come without struggle. Their coach, Nyre was the acting director of the First Tee of East Lake Foundation, a youth development program.
All the teammates of the legendary golf team were also members of the foundation, through which the coach mentored them into championship winners.
Congratulations to our Drew Eagles! In addition to this wonderful surprise from @SouthernCompany and @CocaCola, they were able to play a round at @eastlakegc with the media. Drew Junior, Jalon Cook, also won the closest to the pin competition on historic #15. #flyhigher https://t.co/Aufjf7Adbm
— Drew Charter School (@DrewCharter) June 13, 2019
But the coach was quick to point out that the sole aim of the non-profit youth development golf program went beyond playing golf. He said in an interview:
“We also encourage life goals and healthy habits,” he added: “To be honest, our goal is not to breed professional golfers. However, when they work with us, the option to play golf is there.”
Thanks to @GolfDigest for this beautiful piece on the transformative effects of golf on our East Lake neighborhood. @DrewCharter #golfwithapurpose #flyhigher https://t.co/qmDSZBbLIX
— East Lake Foundation (@EastLakeFound) July 8, 2019
MENTORING THE CHAMPIONS
When asked about the major thrill he got from mentoring the group, the coach said:
“The capacity to teach these men things they wouldn’t have an opportunity to learn outside of the game. This platform has allowed them to recognize their worth and aspire to goals they wouldn’t have otherwise thought of accomplishing.”
One of these rare feats would include meeting the Republican Governor himself. Last month, the golf history breakers were privileged to be congratulated by the Republican Governor, Brian Kemp at the Georgia State Capitol.
Drew's Varsity Boys Golf Team traveled to the State Capitol to meet with @GovKemp who congratulated them for their historic win. #statechampions #flyhigher pic.twitter.com/GyA4b0Ctcd
— Drew Charter School (@DrewCharter) July 10, 2019
This and some of the educational and scholarship benefits they have been rewarded with has indeed impacted the lives of these young men.