Blanche Williams

"Greatness by Design" talk show host, Sirius XM Radio

I do remember learning about the game from a dear friend named Suluki Id-Deen, who loved the challenge of hitting that white ball into the hole. She had been playing for years and even organized a few fundraising tournaments. She would continually tell me this is the game for you, but at the time I was a happy observer. Also because I am 6’3, I could never just walk into a store and pick up a set of clubs—so that was the other thing too.

My father was a sports enthusiast, so we would watch sports together—Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer were some of the golfers he would watch. My dad played basketball and football while in the service and was a hall of famer in basketball during his college years. He also played pool, so originally when I thought of tournaments, I thought of pool. My father taught me about life while shooting pool. I learned that everything is strategic and the same principle applies to life. It’s amazing how things come around full circle. I learned later in life that my dad played golf some decades ago and still had more clubs in his bag than I have right now. I have a driver, 5-wood, a pitching wedge, three irons and a putter.

It was during a trip to the Adirondacks to observe a friend play that I truly understood the beauty of the game. I am someone who likes solace, and I have been on some beautiful courses; another one was on Sanibel Island in Florida. It was incredible—every hole is on the ocean. South Florida is considered home, so if I was going get serious about the game, I would be spending time there. My friend told me if I was going to play I would need to invest in clubs, and because of my height I would need custom-designed club, a bag, and lessons. So I decided to make the investment. When that happened I realized I needed to commit to the game. Then I played for the first time on my birthday in Boca Raton. I felt like a big girl because I had my clubs and my bag, and before I left I bought my first travel golf bag. Then fast forward to TGM tournament—the first tournament I ever played. I was scared to death. But even before that I knew I wanted to create my own signature tournament. I absolutely love the game now.

Each member of our foursome, Team Greatness, were players that were better than I, so I would have to learn how to make my game stronger. I played with Germaine Leftridge, the woman who wound up being the winner of the longest drive. There was also Rodney “Binx” Watts, who played for Morgan State (University) and another buddy, Donny Carr, who I met on the green last year. Binx actually gave me pointers on different things, and he won the men’s prize for the straightest drive. So in the end, we didn’t win the tournament, but I knew Team Greatness was going to win something. I have never played as well as I played that day. At the same time, it was unnerving because when you’re in a tournament you have to play by the rules. It was like my team was depending on me. Before, I would play with strangers or people who were very patient with me. I knew I was the weakest link, but I didn’t want to look like a flake. However, when we got onto the first hole, I putted in our first birdie. It’s because all the people I was playing with each gave me something to work on. After the fifth hole it was on, and by the last hole, I hit the drive that would be best ball!

The most challenging thing is that I’m ambidextrous. When I played softball I hit left-handed. When I went to get fit for my clubs, I was going to golf left, but I finally decided to pick right. I found that when I was on the course I approached the ball a few times like I was going to hit left, so I still had that in my brain. The other challenge is that I am so used to doing things well quickly, but golf has challenged me to be more patient and learn my body mechanics. As long as I practice the correct way, I will get better. I took my time with learning the right things the right way because I didn’t want go out there and have problems.

In the end, it’s fun when you do it right. For me, to play the game is to go to the other side of my brain and really tap into the spirit and soul of the game. It’s not as much about the head as it is about integrating the head and body.