HOLLYWOOD WALK OF GAME
THE GEAUX PRO SERIES CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Golf is a game that requires skill, strategy, discipline, luck, calmness under duress, and being able to face adversity head on.It’s rare you find someone who has some to all of those intangibles, often leaving most new to the sport so frustrated they stop playing golf before even getting started. Maggie Hathaway did the opposite,embracing every bit of the challenge, and created a lasting impact not only on the game, but for the entire community.
A STAR IS BORN
Born in 1911 in Campti, Louisiana, Hathaway moved to Los Angeles in 1931, initially pursuing a career in entertainment. She worked as an actress and blues singer, even serving as a stand-in for Lena Horne in classic films like Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. However, it was her passion for golf and commitment to civil rights that truly defined her legacy.
After taking up golf in the 1950s, Hathaway quickly recognized the racial disparities within the sport. Many public golf courses still operated under exclusionary policies, limiting access to Black players. As a sportswriter for the California Eagle and Los Angeles Sentinel, she used her platform to call out injustices and advocate for equal access.
In 1960, Hathaway co-founded the Minority Association for Golfers (MAG) to support young Black golfers and push for integration in professional tournaments. Beyond golf, she was also instrumental in co-founding the NAACP Image Awards alongside Sammy Davis Jr. and Willis Edwards in 1967, helping amplify Black excellence in arts and culture.
Her tireless advocacy led to a well-deserved honor in 1997 when the Jack Thompson Golf Course in Los Angeles was renamed the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course a tribute to her relentless fight for inclusion and community access to the game.
FROM SHOWTIME TO TEE TIME
No need for a DEI movement when it becomes the norm the community.For decades, the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course has been more than just a place to play—it has served as a gateway to golf for underserved communities, providing affordable access to a sport that has historically been out of reach for many.Making it less of a rare occurrence, but an everyday thing for people to do. The nine-hole, par-3 course, located in South Los Angeles, has introduced countless youth and beginner golfers to the game through community programs, junior golf clinics, and affordable lessons.
The course has long been a hub for grassroots golf development, offering local residents a place to learn, practice, and engage in a sport that fosters discipline, patience, and opportunity. Its impact reaches beyond golf—it has become a community cornerstone, offering a safe and welcoming space for mentorship, youth engagement, and positive social interaction.
COMING TO A FAIRWAY NEAR YOU
As part of efforts to continue Maggie Hathaway’s mission, plans are underway to revitalize the course and expand its reach in the community.
Planned for a late 2025 grand reopening. The Maggie Hathaway Golf Course Renewal Project aims to modernize course facilities, expand youth golf programs, introduce advanced training tools, and most importantly preserve Maggie Hathaway’s legacy.Ensuring the course remains a beacon of accessibility and inclusion for the sport of golf.
Local golf advocates including Serena & Venus Williams, community leaders, and city officials are working together to fundraise and secure grants to bring these enhancements to life. The goal is to transform the course into a premier community golf facility, offering the latest training resources while maintaining its original mission of accessibility for all.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, GOLF!
Maggie Hathaway’s fight for diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in golf paved the way for generations to come. As we reflect on her impact this Black History Month, Let’s Geaux Golf remains committed to her vision—making golf a sport that welcomes everyone, regardless of background or resources.
By bringing the game directly to communities through our Mobile Clubhouse Experience, supporting initiatives that expand access, and working to break down the traditional barriers to entry, we honor the work of pioneers like Maggie Hathaway.
Want to learn more or get involved? Support the renewal of the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course by visiting: Maggie Hathaway Golf Course Renewal Project
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