Langston's Savoy Changing World One Golfer At A Time


11/8/06

This is the first in a series of stories celebrating 10 years and $50 million in USGA grants.

By Erica Goodman, USGA

Washington, D.C. — In the heart of Washington, D.C.'s northeast quarter, the vibrant colors of city buildings fade to shades of gray on dusty concrete sidewalks and ebony asphalt streets. The urban center is the last place one would expect to lay eyes upon the soft green knolls of a golf course. But in this least likely of places peacefully rests Langston Legacy Golf Course, a nationally recognized historical landmark and a cultural center for the African-American community.

Built on an abandoned trash site, Langston was the solution in the battle to desegregate the public courses in the nation's capital. The original nine holes opened in 1939 as the first public golf course for African-Americans. Introducing the game of golf to individuals who otherwise would not have the opportunity to play has always been at the core of Langston's philosophy. Behind the motto "Respect for Self-Respect for Others," Ray Savoy, director of junior programs at Langston, has used golf to continue bringing the vision of equality into the 21st century.

Savoy acquired an interest in golf in 1960 while studying physical education at Miner Teachers College in Washington, D.C. After a professional baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a stint with the Baltimore Colts, a semi-pro football team, Savoy took a job with the Washington D.C. Parks and Recreation Department. His return to golf began as he prepared for retirement in the early 1990s. But beyond his interest in the sport, Savoy reveals a passion for positively affecting the lives of youth.

"I always have had the desire to work with kids in whatever sport I could play," he said. "I vowed that I wanted to continue to work with youth and introduce them to a non-traditional sport."

Under Savoy's leadership, the Langston Junior Boys & Girls Golf Club (LJRGC) was established in 1990 to extend the chance to introduce and teach golf to economically- disadvantaged youth in the D.C. area.

In the inaugural season, five youths participated in an eight-week long program under Savoy's leadership and the support of Hook-A-Kid On Golf. Since then, Savoy has launched four separate junior golf programs at Langston, one (the LJRGC) of which has been supported by the USGA Grants Initiative since 1998. Overall, the USGA has awarded Langston five grants totaling more than $65,000 to support course and range access, equipment and instruction. With USGA assistance, Savoy's programs have expanded to annually reach almost 200 youths who participate in a three-month summer program.

"I thank the USGA for its efforts to support our junior golf programs and in helping our youth become a successful part of whatever industry they become a part of," said Savoy.

For Savoy, golf is more than just a game. It is "something that presents a challenge," he said.

Academic exercises are part of the program. Participants are encouraged to educate themselves to the best of their abilities. Also to cultivate a desire to better their future through education. In 2001, the LJRGC instituted a scholarship program and has seen graduates succeed both academically and athletically on the collegiate level. Deztany Jackson was named Freshman of the Year in 2005 for the Old Dominion University women's golf team while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. In 2006, she earned All-American Scholar honors from the National Golf Coaches Association.

"At Langston, we want our students to become successful in every part of their life," said Savoy.

Savoy may not have been around when the Langston Legacy Golf Course opened its doors to the public, but he's committed to the cause.

"I have witnessed when the sport was not meant for [African-Americans] to participate in except to shag balls and caddie," he said. "But now is a new generation."

With the help of USGA grants, the LJRGC has done its own part to effectively reach out to hundreds of urban minority youth in the D.C. area. As Savoy said himself, "the world is about to change," and the growth of programs such as Langston are working each day to make that a change for the better.

Erica Goodman is a First-Year Fellow in the USGA's Grants Initiative and Fellowship office. For more information about Ray Savoy and the Langston Junior Boys and Girls Golf Club, please contact her via e-mail at EGoodman@usga.org or by phone at (719) 471-4810, ext. 35.