GET YOUR BALLS AND LETS GO! Civil Rights Leaders Reviewing LPGA Coach Gladys M. Lee’s Complaint Following Incident at Texas 9 Golf Course.

GET YOUR BALLS AND LETS GO!  Civil Rights Leaders Reviewing LPGA Coach Gladys M. Lee’s Complaint Following Incident at Texas 9 Golf Course. https://www.nbcdfw.com/video/news/call-for-change/gladys-lee-texas-black-sports-hall-fame-golf-inner-city-youth/3916168/

By Staff Reporter

FORT WORTH, Texas — Civil rights leaders are reviewing a complaint made by longtime youth golf advocate Coach Gladys M. Lee, a Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame inductee, LPGA Class A Teaching Professional, and one of the most accomplished and influential women in the history of golf in Fort Worth, who alleges she was treated disrespectfully during a recent encounter at Texas 9 Golf Course.

Coach Lee said the incident left her feeling insulted, embarrassed, and offended following what she described as an unprofessional interaction with a white male director affiliated with the golf course.

According to Lee, after the encounter and feeling that she had been treated disrespectfully, she made the decision to remove her program participants from the facility. Lee said she instructed her coaches, players, and parents to gather their equipment and leave, telling them, “Pick up your balls and let’s go.”

“This was not just about golf,” Lee said. “It was about how people are treated.”

For nearly four decades, Lee has dedicated her life to introducing young people, women, and underserved communities to the game of golf. As founder of the Roaring Lambs International Junior Golf Academy, she has mentored thousands of young golfers throughout North Texas and beyond while teaching not only golf fundamentals but also leadership, discipline, character development, and life skills.

A Class A LPGA Teaching Professional, Lee serves as Site Director for LPGA-USGA Girls Golf programs in Fort Worth and Dallas West and has served as a captain in the PGA Jr. League. Her work has earned statewide and national recognition. The Roaring Lambs International Junior Golf Academy was recognized by Tiger Woods as one of the premier junior golf programs in the United States, leading to a national feature on NBC’s Tom Brokaw: Making a Difference.

Many of Lee’s supporters describe her as one of the pioneering figures who helped make golf accessible to young people and families who historically had limited access to the sport. Her contributions have earned her induction into the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and recognition as one of the most decorated female golf instructors and youth golf advocates in North Texas.

Pastor Kyev P. Tatum, Sr., president of the Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas, said he and other community leaders are gathering information and speaking with those involved before determining what steps, if any, should be taken.

“Our responsibility is to listen, gather the facts, and ensure that everyone is treated fairly and respectfully,” Tatum said. “We believe concerns raised by senior citizens deserve to be taken seriously.”

Lee, an elderly Black woman who has spent much of her adult life opening doors in a sport that historically lacked diversity, said she was particularly troubled by what she perceived as a lack of respect and professionalism.

The allegations have generated discussion among community members and civil rights advocates, some of whom have pointed to the importance of treating older adults with dignity and courtesy.

Those reviewing the complaint emphasized that their inquiry remains ongoing and that they are seeking to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“At the end of the day, this is about respect,” Tatum said. “We owe our elders the dignity that comes with their years of service, sacrifice, and contributions to our community.”

Representatives of Texas 9 Golf Course had not publicly responded to Lee’s allegations as of this writing.

Civil rights leaders said they expect to hold a press conference in the coming days to discuss the matter, provide updates on their review, and outline any next steps following their fact-finding efforts.

Supporters of Lee say her decision to tell her players and parents to “pick up your balls and let’s go” was an act of dignity, leadership, and self-respect. Rather than escalate the situation, Lee chose to remove herself, her coaches, her players, and their families from an environment she believed had become disrespectful.

Today, supporters say the message is simple:

We Stand with Coach Gladys Lee.

The review by community and civil rights leaders is expected to continue in the coming days.