Queens on the Greens Members, Image courtesy of Queens on the Greens
As the sun rises over the golf course, a group of vibrant women, many new to the sport, gather with clubs, ready to break barriers and defy stereotypes. Queens on the Greens is more than just a golf club; it’s a movement empowering women of color to take ownership of the greens.
Created to bridge the gap in golf’s diversity, Queens on the Greens encourages women to embrace the game as a source of fitness, friendship, and professional networking. It proves that success isn’t just about breaking glass ceilings but also about teeing off on lush fairways.
Angela G. Solomon, a Detroit native, founded Queens on the Greens during the pandemic in 2021 to empower women in golf. With a strong Midwest spirit, she is active in her community and currently lives in the Washington, DC, area, where she pursues real estate and law interests. A proud alumna of the University of Michigan, she earned her law degree from George Washington University Law School and has established herself as a successful real estate investor.
“When the pandemic hit, golf courses were one of the only open things because they were outside. It was socially distant, and I and my three girlfriends had all taken the clinics together previously and just stopped,” Solomon said.
Founder Angela G. Solomon, Image courtesy of Queens on the Greens
Solomon expressed her desire to convince her girlfriends to get back into the swing of things and try meeting regularly, but she was met with hesitation as golf is a male-dominated sport, and golf clubs are generally not inviting to Black women.
“I finally convinced them to meet me at the golf course. And so it became a main thing during the pandemic every Thursday at around two or three o’clock,” Solomon said.
In a world where representation matters more than ever, Black women athletes, such as Renee Powell, the second Black woman to compete on the LPGA tour, have defied those norms, paving the way for future golfers of color to follow.
But not without Ann Gregory starting it off as the first Black woman to compete in the United States Golf Association (USGA) championship, the 1956 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Gregory was a Chicago Women’s Golf Club member, the first all-Black member club of the USGA.
PBS recently featured Queens on the Green in a new documentary called “We Are Here”. The documentary explores the vital role diversity plays in sports and celebrates the journeys of athletes who break barriers and redefine the game. It also highlights the stories of athletes from various backgrounds and showcases how their unique experiences contribute to a richer, more inclusive sporting landscape.
“I did not initially expect this (Queens on the Greens) to grow; when we first started with our initial foursome, I didn’t really envision it beyond that,” Solomon said.
“But by the time we got to the Chicago chapter, I realized there is a need for community, especially after the pandemic; people want to gather. So I feel like the timing of the start of the Queens was perfect.”
Queen’s on the Greens’ mission extends beyond just playing golf; it creates meaningful connections and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Through regional chapters across the country, Queens on the Greens cultivates a sense of belonging, offering events that range from golf clinics to corporate and charity tournaments.
The organization emphasizes how the golf course can be a powerful space for personal and professional growth, making it an inclusive environment for those new to the sport and experienced players.
Annual membership provides exclusive benefits, including discounted event access, leadership opportunities, and networking directories, creating a space where business deals and friendships flourish.
With its growing presence, Queens on the Greens exemplifies how recreational activities can foster deeper community engagement and promote wellness among women of color.
Solomon highlighted that she is looking forward to Queen’s on the Greens continuing to expand. Five dedicated chapters currently operate in Detroit, Maryland, the Chicago Area, North Dallas, and Myrtle Beach.
“I am just so excited about this community, which is really a movement now, has really taken hold, because it is so important, now it is bigger than golf,” Solomon expressed.
“Working together with the commonality of golf, it is such a blessing to see the friendship and the connections that have been made since Queen’s has come together.”
“We Are Here,” featuring ‘Queens on the Green’, is available for streaming across all platforms.