Historic Brownsville Open Notebook: Averyhardt seeks LPGA breakthrough

In the history of the LPGA, there have only been three African-American golfers.

So, as Shasta Averyhardt begins her career on the Duramed FUTURES Tour, there is an overarching question attached to her everywhere she goes:

Can she be the fourth?

"I know it comes with a lot of attention, it just does," Averyhardt said. "That’s something that I’m still learning to handle, to let that not overshadow the fact that I need to play golf."

Averyhardt’s father is African-American, and her mother is from Tijuana, Mexico. She grew up in Michigan and attended Jackson State University in Mississippi to play for long time coach Eddie Payton, the brother of NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton.

Now in her first year on the tour, Averyhardt has never defined herself by her skin color or her ethnicity. The attention about it is something that’s new to her, even though she grew up getting some not-so-nice looks and stares from other players.

"It’s reality, but at the same time, I still have to look at like I’m a player, even though I know," Averyhardt said. "But I’m not really thinking about it like that, I’m just trying to focus on playing well on this tour so I can give myself a chance to advance."

Averyhardt has played in two tournaments so far this season, but missed the cut in both. To reach that next step, she has to finish in the top 10 of the money list by the end of the last event.

That is an uphill climb from here, but especially as a rookie, Averyhardt is simply taking everything in stride.

"I feel really good, I’m just staying in the moment," Averyhardt said. "(I’m) just focused in on some mental things that I’ve been working on the past couple of weeks, trying to get my game back together."

A FAMILY AFFAIR

When golf carts are lined up like the start of a drag race, it can only mean one thing: a Pro-Am is about to get underway.

Wednesday saw a number of Duramed FUTURES Tour pros playing with and against local Brownsville golf enthusiasts, including city commissioner Charlie Atkinson and state representative Eddie Lucio III.

Lucio’s father, state senator Eddie Lucio, was playing in another group with community leader Fred Rusteberg, his wife, Frances, and Lucio’s niece, Julia, who at 10 is something of a golf prodigy. They played along with pro Jennifer Ackerson, a native of Dallas.

"This is wonderful to have," state senator Lucio said. "It’s great to see these young ladies who have so much ability."

HOW DO I … ?

The Historic Brownsville Open gets under way Friday at Rancho Viejo Golf & Country Club.

Passes are $10 per day and $30 for the entire weekend. For $50, VIP passes get you in for the entire weekend plus food and beverages at the 18th hole.

Passes can purchased at the front entrance to the golf course or by calling the Brownsville Convention and Visitors Bureau at (956) 546-3721.

Todd Orodenker writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at torodenker@brownsvilleherald.com.