PGA Professional Trey Niven starts initiative to introduce more black women to golf

26/10/2021

PGA Professional Trey Niven has started an initiative to encourage more black women to take up golf at 3 Hammers Golf Academy in Wolverhampton.

The idea began when Trey was speaking on a video call with Ray Nyabola, founder of Black British Golfers (BBG), Amaya Athill, a keen single figure handicapper and passionate promoter of golf to women of colour, and a group of women that had expressed an interest in golf.

“These ladies had little or no prior experience with golf, so the idea was to help dispel some of the myths that had previously prevented them from getting into the game," explained Niven.

"A few had been to golf clubs previously and felt as though they did not fit in. Some just did not know how to actually start playing.”

When trying to get into golf for the first time it’s only natural for there to be a lot of questions. Without golf experience as a junior or any friends and family that play, golf can come across an intimidating sport to try and learn.

Niven explains that these chats are a perfect chance to answer some basic questions and help understand golf in an informal environment:

She continued: “What is a driving range and why is it different from a golf course? Do I need my own clubs? What clothes do I wear? These are the types of questions that we can help answer and put their mind at ease when first stepping into a golf facility.”

The first BBG Ladies Intro To Golf session was mostly an instructional session, but for some women it gave them a chance to hit their first ever golf shot.

Speaking afterwards, Niven was pleased that it was a successful session: “It went really well and the ladies that attended the session all had a great time. One had never played golf before and it was her first time at a golf facility. Another had played before, but a very long time ago. Both of them felt at ease for the whole session and the time flew by.

“The most important thing was that they came down, had fun and felt comfortable in a golf facility. The feedback was that the session covered everything they hoped and they just wanted to know when the next one would be.”

The community element and having people in the same situation is so important when taking up golf for the first time: they can share their journey, compare notes and help each other out.

Niven hopes to run a BBG women’s session once every two weeks with a goal in a few months to get out on the golf course.

Getting more black women playing golf is one of Niven’s primary focus’, whether that’s taking lessons, practicing at the driving range or joining a golf society, but he also spoke about the end goal of having them become members and playing an active role at local golf clubs.

He added: "It will be amazing to see the ladies progress from their first time ever at a golf facility and holding a golf club. They already progressed so much in one session, so it will be great to see where they can go.”

In addition to the women’s sessions, Niven hopes to organise BBG junior classes in the near future and interested parties can keep up with all the great work Niven is doing on his Instagram page - @treynivenpga.