Essay On Ginger Howard

African American Golfing Prodigy - Ginger Howard

Over the years, African-Americans have played a pivotal role in the development and growth of the golf and contributed to its widespread popularity throughout the world. There is a new generation of African American youth interested and actively involved in the sport of golf. These youngsters express the desire to become the “New Age” stars in the sport of golf. Ginger Howard is one of the emerging African-American golfing prodigies who has established many records in the junior golf world and continues to be inspired to fulfill the dream of becoming a LPGA professional.

Early Adventure with Golf

Ginger was born on March 15, 1994 to Robert and Gianna. Her adventure with golf began with an introduction

to the sport by her father, Robert Howard. Ginger, who grew up in Philadelphia, started playing golf when she was six in the year 2000.
Golf Timeline from 2000 to 2010
After being introduced to the golf in 2000, Ginger played her first tournament in June 2002 US Kids State Championship.

She finished second behind her younger sister Robbi Howard. She won a total of 11 trophies in 2002. The winning trend continued as she won 25 trophies in 2003. She won the Pepsi Little People Championship in 2003 and was placed 5th in 2004.

In 2004, she won the Regional US Kids Junior Championship in the 9 year old division. She achieved top finishes in the US Kids Regional Championship, US Kids World Championship, Callaway World Junior Championship and National Junior Championships in the subsequent years. Ginger was named to the Tiger Woods Junior Golf Foundation 2003 and 2005.

In 2010, apart from achieving top finishes, Ginger was selected to play US Junior Ryder Cup team and played a prominent role in helping to win the title in Scotland.

Family Support

The success of Ginger would not have been possible without the support of her parents. Robert and his wife, Gianna, moved Ginger, Robbi and their two sons, ArJay and Giulian, to Maryland for a short time before heading down to Bradenton, FL, so Ginger could get help from instructors at the IMG Golf Academy. Robert, who used to work in retail management, gave up his job to travel with Ginger and be her caddie. During her career, the young athlete’s mother was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Both of her mother’s thyroids were removed after she won the second stage of LPGA’s Q-School. Her mother, now recovered, works as a nurse at IMG

Academies.
Turning Professional in 2011
After enrolling at the IMG Golf Academy in Florida, Howard quickly began advancing. Her performance had taken such a pivotal turn that she petitioned the LPGA to allow her to play in its qualifying tournament in 2011 even though she wasn’t the mandatory age of 18-years-old. She turned professional on June 8, 2011. After turning professional she won 5 events on the SunCoast Mini Ladies Tour in 2011. Like fellow bright, young, black American golfers Shasta Averyhardt and Cheyenne Woods, Howard wants to be a role model for kids who are interested in playing the game. Ginger Howard is showing the golf world that age is nothing but a number when it comes to being the best.