The golf course is a place to enjoy being outside and forget about all your everyday problems. A group of women was trying to do that when they say that they were disrespected and treated badly by other golfers and the golf club.
The women were playing on the course when the club representatives started to complain that they were moving too slowly.
The women were aware that they needed to maintain a certain pace, but they claim they were staying well ahead of the group behind them and also right behind the group in front of them.
Sandra Thompson, a lawyer and NAACP chapter president, said:
“We were keeping the front group in our sights” ― as required.
After talking with the course representatives the first time, they were approached a second time by the same people and told that they were taking too long on the holes.
By then, three of the women had already left the group, upset by the first interaction. The other women were moving much faster, but still not fast enough for the club employees.
Another one of the women said:
“I felt we were discriminated against. It was a horrific experience.”
The group of five had played the first nine holes in under two hours, which is a normal pace for most golfers.
The other two women claim that the second time they were approached about their speed, it was by York County Commissioner Steve Chronister; his son, club co-owner Jordan Chronister; and a few other white male employees.
The woman felt very uncomfortable and like they were being discriminated against. Thompson captured part of the interaction on her cellphone. The men accused the women of taking too long of breaks. The women claimed they did not. The men told them they had called the police and asked them to leave the course. The women refused to leave until the police got there. The police eventually asked everyone to leave.
The police arrived at the scene and attempted to sort out the situation.
Police Chief Mark Bentzel said:
“We were called there for an issue; the issue did not warrant any charges. All parties left, and we left, as well.”
The golf club co-owner, JJ Chronister, claims that she called the women and apologized to them for making them feel uncomfortable and for the entire situation.
She also said that she was planning to meet with them to work things out. Oddly, she later released a statement that contradicts her first comment. She said:
“During the second conversation, we asked members to leave as per our policy noted on the scorecard, voices escalated, and police were called to ensure an amicable resolution.”
The women did say that the club called them and asked to meet with them, but they are still not sure if they want to do that.
They still feel hurt, embarrassed, and uncomfortable with the entire situation.
Myneca Ojo said:
“We are processing information, and the club called to meet, and we have not decided when.”
Myneca also posted on social media about her experience. She said:
“Today I was a victim of racial profiling and discrimination. Just a few minutes after we took our Sisters in the Fairway outing picture, Sandra Thompson and I were kicked off the golf course and the police called. The owner tried to kick us off earlier on the second hole, but Sandra intervened. The harassment continued to the 10th hole, with a claim we broke rules. We are golfers and we did not. We are professional women in our 50s trying to enjoy ourselves and were victimized, sectionalized, and harassed playing golf. It got really scary the encounters and we are PAID members of this course, Grandview Golf Course in York, PA. Fight discrimination and bias. It is poisoning the progress of this state, the economy, and this country. I stand against discrimination bullying. Please share this story and be mindful that times are a changing. I am an advocate for equality and promote equity professionally and personally. It happened to me.”
While the golf club insists that nobody was being discriminated against and that the women were in the wrong, the women say otherwise. They believe that were following the rules of the course and were simply being picked on because of their color and gender.”
There have been no other problems at the golf course.
Hopefully, the women can get a sincere apology and the golf club can maintain its good reputation. Nobody deserves to feel like they have been discriminated against or treated poorly while they are just trying to enjoy a couple rounds of golf.
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https://www.facebook.com/myneca.ojo/posts/10216779206855465
