From a young age, Tina Slaughter has been an avid golfer.

The Detroit native was introduced to the sport by her father, and she’s seeking to bring even more women to the sport during her tenure as president of the Richmond, Va., Chapter of the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s Amateur Golf Association.

“I want women of color to know there is space in golf as well as this organization for us,” says Ms. Slaughter when asked why she accepted the role as president.

The group was first founded as the Executive Women’s Golf Association in 1991 as a way for women to play golf, connect and network with other women. The Richmond chapter was started in 2004.

Then in 2018, the EWGA was absorbed into the LPGA and renamed as the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.

And while the shift from being part of the largest women’s golf organization in the United States to being part of the recreational arm of the largest golf association in the world is a major one, the Richmond chapter’s mission remains the same: “We want our members to be able to learn something new, connect with other women, play for health and wellness, to compete, for business or just plain fun,” Ms. Slaughter says.

“Whether the member is a beginner taking her first lesson, returning to the game after some time or a lifelong golfer, she will find a welcoming community in RVA.”

Ms. Slaughter joined the Richmond chapter in 2016 after attending some of its events. The women she met were supportive and caring, she says. She became chapter president in November 2019, and now is in the middle of her second consecutive term in a sport whose meaning goes beyond entertainment, she says.

“Golf is more than just a game to me,” says Ms. Slaughter, who talked about the many skills playing golf can hone, including strategic thinking and networking skills.

The Richmond chapter hosts a variety of events enabling women to play when and where they’re most comfortable. These include weekend games, afternoon and evening leagues, charity events and skills events.

The LPGA Amateur Golf Association also holds national competitions where women from across the country can play and connect.

During a pandemic, golf is one of the few sports that can be played safely, Ms. Slaughter notes.

The Richmond chapter’s efforts, however, extend beyond in-person games. The chapter also hosts online events that allow members to network and connect with each other and with professional players.

Ms. Slaughter says her goal as chapter president is simply to get more women in the game.

“I want our organization to provide an environment where all women can connect, learn, play and belong around a shared passion for golf,” she says.

Ultimately, Ms. Slaughter sees sharing her own experience with golf as her best tool to bring new women into the sport.

“I know what it is like to buy clubs as a woman. I know what it is like to play in a tournament and not know anyone or be the only girl or both,” Ms. Slaughter says. “Sharing stories is a powerful way to connect people.

“Hopefully the stories I share will not only inspire people to join but to continue to stay.”

Meet a leader committed to expanding golf’s reach to women and women of color and this week’s Personality, Tina Slaughter:

No. 1 volunteer position: Richmond, Va., chapter president, Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Amateur Golf Association.

Date and place of birth: Sept. 1 in Detroit during the time of bell bottoms and 8 tracks.

Where I live now: Richmond.

Education: Bachelor’s in general science, Penn State University; MBA, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Occupation: Passionate IT leader with more than 20 years of experience.

Family: I have a wonderful “village.” My mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins and a great group of friends all provide love, encouragement and support.

Mission of LPGA Amateur Golf Association Richmond Chapter: First, a little about the LPGA Amateur Golf Association. We are the recreational amateur arm of the LPGA family. As the largest women’s golf amateur community in the world, we provide organized playing and learning opportunities for members of all ages and abilities through a variety of local and national events. Members are connected to thousands of other members globally. The mission of our chapter is to provide a welcoming golf community for all women in the Richmond area. We bring together and connect a diverse group of women who share a common passion for golf. We host many golf, social and networking events annually. We want our members to be able to learn something new, connect with other women, play for health and wellness, to compete, for business or just plain fun. Whether the member is a beginner taking her first lesson, returning to the game after some time or a lifelong golfer, she will find a welcoming community in RVA.

When and why LPGA Amateur Golf Association and the Richmond Chapter were founded: The Executive Women’s Golf Association was founded by Nancy Oliver in 1991 and was one of the largest women’s amateur golf associations in the United States. It was founded to provide women an opportunity to connect and network with other women, play the game they loved and belong to a community of supporting, nurturing women both on and off the course. In 2018, it was acquired by the LPGA and later rebranded as the LPGA Amateur Golf Association. The Richmond Chapter was started in 2004.

Why I became a member: After attending a couple of events, I found the women in the group to be supportive and caring. I wanted to join an organization where I could relax and have fun playing golf. Although I can be competitive if necessary, I am more of a social golfer. I also like the benefits, connecting with fellow members and the opportunity to play many different courses.

When elected chapter president: November 2019.

Why I accepted position: I want women of color to know there is space in golf, as well as this organization, for us.

No. 1 goal or project for Richmond chapter: To simply get more women to play the game.

Strategy for achieving goal: I want our organization to provide an environment where all women can connect, learn, play and belong around a shared passion of golf. We have a wide variety of events to enable women to play when and where they feel most comfortable. Our events include weekend play, afternoon and evening leagues, morning play and skills events. In addition, there are fun national competitive events that bring women from chapters across the country to play together. We also have online virtual events that allow members to network and connect with each other and with professionals and organizations that support the needs of women in golf, or with LPGA legends like Renee Powell and Nancy Lopez.

What golf means to me: Golf is more than just a game to me. I have learned so many transfer- able skills on the course. For example, golf has taught me the value of strategic thinking. The truly great players don’t just whack the ball and hope for the best. They have a plan. Every shot is strategically placed to advance their goal. Golf also has given me the occasion to practice and build my network- ing and conversational skills. Often, I have found myself in a cart with someone I did not know for hours. I saw that time as an opportunity to hone those skills. Another great thing golf has taught me is to stop and smell the roses, sometimes literally. I can’t tell you the number of times I have stopped inaweofaviewortoenjoya wonder of nature.

How I got into the sport: I started playing when I was fairly young. My dad introduced me to the game. It has become a great family bonding activity seeing that my brother plays as well.

Racial equity and golf: It is no secret that golf is still a predominantly white male game, at least from the media’s and sponsors’ perspective. That being said, there are far more women, especially women of color, playing the game now than when I started and that is exciting to see. Key golf organizations recognize the importance of diversity and now are working to better understand the barriers to golf for people of color and how to address, fix or eliminate those barriers.

Gender equity and golf: Women have seen more equity as it pertains to golf during the past few years, however, there is still a significant way to go. There is a narra- tive that women are not as proficient or interested in the game as men. The truth is the number of female golfers is quickly growing. In order for us as women to gain equity, we need to better wield our purchasing power, encourage male allyship, invest in programs that get girls involved in the game early and continue to reach out and truly welcome more women to the game.

COVID-19 and golf: Golf is one of the few sports you can play during COVID. It’s outside. To keep the chance low of getting infected, you can either play alone or you can play with your trusted group. Because golf allows you to get some fresh air, sunshine and the opportunity to commune with nature, it helps break the monotony of COVID-19 quarantine.

How I use my role to introduce more people to golf: The best way I can introduce more people to golf is to share my stories. By sharing them, they can see that I have experienced many of the same things they are experiencing now. I know what it is like to buy clubs as a woman. I know what it is like to play in a tournament and not know anyone or be the only girl or both. Sharing stories is a powerful way to connect with people. Hopefully the stories I share will not only inspire people to join but to continue to stay.

Person I would most like to play golf with: There are so many great players out there, but the player I would most like to play with is Renee Powell. I am sure she has some great stories and life lessons around perseverance, adversity and leadership. I can’t even begin to understand some of the things she probably witnessed and experienced playing golf in an era where women’s golf was not valued and African-Americans were not openly welcomed to the game.

How I start the day: On a positive note. I see each day as an opportunity to learn and experience something new. Besides, I am up and moving and to me that is half the battle.

Three words that best describe me: Wise, independent and straightforward.

Best late-night snack: A Krispy Kreme donut if, and only if, the “Hot” light is on.

How I unwind: Golf is a great way for me to unwind. When I play golf, I can unplug and forget about the world for a little while.

What I have learned about myself during the pandemic: The pandemic has helped me to understand what truly is important to me at this stage in my life.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I love to bake.

Quote that I am most inspired by: “Live, laugh and love.” If more people did this on a regular basis, just think how much nicer the world could be.

At the top of my “to-do” list: One of my bucket list trips is to do a Northwest tour. I would love to start in Portland or Seattle and then head to Vancouver, British Columbia, and finally make my way to Alaska. I have always wanted to go salmon fishing, see the glaciers while I still can and observe whales in their natural habitat.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: Have faith and be true to yourself.

Persons who influenced me the most: My parents, Raymond and June Slaughter. They are loving and encouraging of both me and my brother. They have taught me faith, values, the power of laughter and the importance of family. They always have been in my corner quietly or loudly cheering me on and providing little pearls of wisdom to keep me pushing forward even sometimes when I wobbled.

Book that influenced me the most: “Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in our Lives” by Howard Ross and “The One Minute Manager” by Dr. Ken Blanchard and Dr. Spencer Johnson. They have helped me better understand and manage people.

What I’m reading now: “Becoming” by Michelle Obama.

Next goal: To just really enjoy the people most important to me. COVID-19 took something I can never get back and that is time with my family and friends. Now that everyone is mostly fully vaccinated, my plan is to personally reconnect and really enjoy my time with them.