History sinks in for first ever black female golfer at Jr. Ryder Cup
John Mitchell | September 30, 2010

Not long ago, 16-year-old Ginger Howard figured she would be getting ready to watch her idol, Tiger Woods, lead the United States against Europe in the Ryder Cup later this week.

Not playing in it.

Howard, 16, ranked No. 8 by the Junior Golf Scoreboard, helped lead the United States past Europe on Tuesday, 13 ½ – 10 ½ , Tuesday in Perthshire, Scotland. Howard, the only African-American girl to ever make the U.S Team, earned her spot by virtue of finishing second in a three-hole playoff at 35th Junior PGA Championship this summer in Fort Wayne, Ind. At the PGA Championship, Howard forced the playoff after firing a 3-under-par 69 in the final round that was preceded by a 4-under 68.

“My mother and I were talking about it and she told me that I was making history,” Howard, of Bradenton, Fla., said. “It’s going to be awesome playing there. It’s going to be great to represent African-Americans, my country. I’m carrying a lot of pride.”

The Jr. Ryder Cup team consisted of the top 12 boys and girls junior golfers in the country. Two years ago the U.S. defeated Europe 22-2.

Howard’s father, Robert, introduced Ginger and her younger sister, Robbi, also a highly ranked player, to golf at ages six and four, respectively. It began when his wife of 22 years, Gianna, told him to take them with him to the golf course. (Read full article)