|
|
|
|
Sisters Across America Chooses Tour Candidate
Sisters Across America, Inc., announces the selection of Shasta Averyhardt of Flint Michigan, as our candidate for assistance in becoming an LPGA Tour Professional.
Shasta grew up in Flint’s two major golf development programs, Flint Inner City Junior Golf Association, and Flint Junior Golf Association. After capturing the Flint Junior Golf Association Junior Championship in the summer of 2003, she went on to be the runner-up in the summer of 2004.
While at Flint Central, Shasta was the first to lead Flint Central High to a city golf championship and the first girl from a Flint school to qualify for a state golf tournament. Shasta was also named All-state in golf as a sophomore and junior at Flint Central High School, Flint, Michigan. After transferring to Grand Blanc High, Shasta was named co-captain and headed the team to the state championship in East Lansing on the Michigan State Golf Course.
By the end of high school, Shasta was an avid golfer and a force to deal with in girl’s amateur golf in Michigan. Impressively, Shasta has won titles in summer programs in Michigan, including State of Michigan Powerbilt Champion, the State Westfield PGA qualifier, and the State of Michigan Independent Insurance Company qualifier. PGA teaching professional Rick Kent, Loch Lomond Golf Course, Grand Blanc, Michigan has likened Shasta’s swing to that of Michele Wie.
|
|
Shasta attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi and played under Coach Eddie Payton. Jackson State has always been first and second in the South West Athletic Conference (SWAC) standings. For four consecutive years, Shasta received the ladies medalist honors in the SWAC.
Shasta is:
- Four time Southwest Athletic Conference Champion, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, with scores of 69, 69 back to back at Mississippi State University's Dancing Rabbit Golf Course.
- 1st place Medalist 2008, scores 71,71 - Southern Miss Lady Eagle Invitational.
- 1st place Medalist 2008, scores 68,70 - Bash at the Beach.
- 1st place Medalist 2007, scores 73,72 - North & South Women's Collegiate.
- 1st place 2006, scores 76, 77 - Women's Collegiate Invitational, Atlanta Stone Mountain Course.
- 2nd place 2006, scores 78, 67 - Troy University Women's Invitational.
|
Achievements:
2010 Earned LPGA Tour Card
2010 Earned non-exempt playing status Duramed Futures Tour (LPGA Developmental Tour)
2009 Advanced to LPGA final stage Qualifying School
2009 1st Place tournament winner SunCoast Series Tour
2009 Two -2nd Place Finishes SunCoast Series Tour
2009 Ranked No, 2 SunCoast Series Tour Money List
2008 Stroke Play Medalist - Michigan Women's State Amateur
2007 Runner-up Match-Play - Michigan Women's State Amateur
2006 SWAC Conference Record / Nine - 1st Place Collegiate Finishes / Five - 2nd Place Collegiate Finishes |
Experience:
2010 Member - Duramed Futures Tour SunCoast Series Tour
2009 US Women's Open Qualifier
2009 Member - SunCoast Series Tour
2008 Duramed Futures Tour Qualifying School
2008 US Women's Amateur Publinx
2008 Michigan Women's State Amateur
2007 Michigan Women's State Amateur
Collegiate Golf Team - Jackson State University |
To View Shasta's Accomplishments on the
LPGA Tour
CLICK HERE
|
|
THANK YOU FROM SHASTA
Dear Sister’s Across America,
Happy New Year, a very happy new year of course! I hope everyone’s holiday was joyful and blessed to say the least. The reason for this letter is for the acknowledgment of the organization as a whole. I believe it is incredible how this all transpired, as far as myself being the first candidate. I say “thank you” hundreds of times to many of the members quite frequently, but I want to make it clear that I mean it every time I say it! I am so thankful for the opportunity to pursue the game of golf professionally with your unconditional help. Of course, everyone experiences ups and downs and yes, I have had my share. However, you ladies never gave up on me. I think that is the most wonderful support a person can ask for. I would have never thought in a million years I would have taken this pathway to the LPGA and quite frankly, it’s an awesome path. I have the chance to have successful women mentoring me every step of the way and I don’t think a lot of professional golfers can say that. I mean “no strings attached” relationship with their sponsor. I have a huge extended family that reaches far beyond golf. Whether it’s eating up all the food, crashing during a tournament week, and/or simply visiting a sister’s home, I know I have another family that’s behind me every step of the way.
The organization works so hard and I can’t thank you enough for investing in my career. I look forward to the 2011 season on the LPGA and Futures Tour and whatever else positive that comes our way. I pray for prosperity and health for us going into 2011 and beyond. Thank you for believing in me. (Coming through in the clutch I should say!) I’m excited for the year with the continued support of you all!!
With love,
Shasta Averyhardt
|
To View Shasta's Accomplishments on the
Duramed's Tour
CLICK HERE
|
|
|
To View Shasta's Accomplishments on the
Sun Coast Tour
CLICK HERE
|
SHASTA'S HIGH HOPES
When Shasta Averyhardt was an aspiring pro looking for sponsorship in 2008, she got in touch with Sisters Across America, Inc., a fledging Orlando nonprofit with a mission to support and mentor minority women pursuing LPGA careers. A nine-time winner at Jackson State, Averyhardt wasted no time impressing the group's organizers with her drive to succeed. "She never said, 'If I make it to the LPGA,' "says Shelly Drakes, Sisters Across America's president. "It was always when.'" |
The group agreed to sponsor Averyhardt for three years, and she turned pro in March 2009. Less than two years later, she is primed for her LPGA debut. By finishing T-22 at 2010 LPGA Qualifying School, the 25-year-old Michigan native earned conditional status for 2011, becoming only the fourth African-American LPGA member in the tour's 61 years.
Averyhardt's father, Greg, introduce her to golf in her hometown of Flint. As a high-school sophomore, she caught the eye of Jackson State coach Eddie Payton-a former Detroit Lions running back who watched her play during a visit to his old city - and eventually earned a scholarship.
From day one she said she wanted to play at the next lever." Payton says. "And she did everything possible, the right way to prepare herself for that opportunity.
After turning pro Averyhardt moved to Orlando, played the 2009 SunCoast Ladies Series mini-tour and started working with Brendan Kennedy, the director of instruction at the Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes. "She has something that I can't really teach, that sort of it' factor, which she needs, in my opinion, is just experience."
In 2010 Averyhardt played the Futures Tour-earning $3,604 in 10 starts-and qualified for the U.S. Women's Open at Oakmont, where she missed the cut. At Q school she was positioned to finish in the top 20 and earn a full LPGA card but closed with a 79. |
|
|
|
|
|
"I've taken a positive out of it," Averyhardt says of her final-round meltdown. "I think it was good that I experienced that, so if I'm in that position again, I'll know how to handle myself."
Pursuing sponsor exemptions and Monday qualifying on the LPGA will be her top priority in 2011, says Averyhardt, who plans to play Futures Tour events as well. An imposing 6-foot-1, she follows past black LPGA players, Althea Gibson, Renee Powell and Laree Sugg.
Averyhardt hopes her example will inspire other African-American girls. To achieve LPGA success however, she will need to avoid off-course distractions, says Powell, who played the LPGA from 1967-80. "Going out as a rookie, she really needs to focus on her golf game," Powell says. "A lot of people will be putting a lot of hope on her, and she has to divorce that from what she is doing on tour." ---Mike Cullity - GolfWorld |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Sisters Across America, Inc.
