The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS
Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Flamingos Women’s Golf Club, founded in January, 2019, held its installation of new officers on Saturday in the Bahamas Golf Federation's Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

The club was formed by a promise made by Agatha Mona Delancy at her induction into the Bahamas National Sports Hall of Fame - Golf Administration, in November of 2018.
Delancy, who served as the initial president, was replaced by Immalasha Johnson, who became the new president.

Other members of the new board are Anja Marie Charles as vice president, Sheryl Collins as secretary and S. Dianne Miller as treasurer.

Before she did the installation, Delancy gave a brief history of the formation of the club and the history of women's golf in The Bahamas.

She mentioned Flowers, her advisor, the late Fred Higgs and Ambrose Gouthro, who both encouraged her to run for the president of the BGF.

Although she didn't have any golf experience, but possessed administrative skills as an employee of IBM Bahamas, they informed her that they would provide all the support she needed. Delancy also mentioned Felix Stubbs, who at the time was the general manager at IBM, whose shoulders she also leaned on. Additionally, she got some assistance from Reg Smith out of Exuma.

"I thank God for the men who welcomed us on that journey," Delancy said.

Listed among the women who helped to shape women's golf in the country were Pamela Thompson, secretary, Anya Marie Charles as executive, the late Yvonne Shaw, Sherice Archer, Laura Miller, Justice Cherly Bazard, Sharon Cleare, Ann Marie Hepburn, Diane Miller, Dr Pattie Symonette, Frandette Wilson, Debbie Knowles, Albertha Rolle, Gwen Knowles, Evette Knowles, Vanria Munnings, Laurie Lightfoot, Michelean Poitier, Nathalee Tynes, Candi Rolle, Shanise Innis, Dr. Val Grimes, Caroline Sweeting, Angela Ferguson, Triston Knowles, Dr Inga Pratt and her daughter Noelle Pratt, Helena Bain, Trqacey Hal, Marion Bethel, Tiffany Bain and Tameka Griffin-Smith.

Delancy added that persons like Lady Ann Marie Davis, Dr Daniel Johnson, another former minister of sports and his wife, newly elected president, Immalasha Johnson, Dianne Miller and Anja and Jimmy Delancy for the roles they also played in the development of women's golf.
In passing on the torch to the new president, Delancy said the Flamingos golf club is in good hands. She presented Johnson with several books on golf as well.
Also on hand to participate in the ceremony was Craig Flowers, former president of the BFG, who had nothing but commendation for Delancy as she vacated her position as an all-around contributor to golf in the country.

"If there was anyone who contributed more to women's golf in this country, certainly they've passed on," Flowers said. "She is not a common person.

"When I got into golf through Fred Higgs, she personally took on the role of fighting for female golf. If you ever need assistance for your administration, call on her, ask her. She can help."
There were many challenges that the BGF faced and the majority of them were overcome by Delancy, whom Flowers said the sport could not be where it is today without her assistance.
"She's been the president of the Bahamas Golf Federation and I took it upon myself to be her voice," Flowers said. "What a team that was. We collectively changed a lot of things.

"We introduced a position in golf that wasn't popular. All of these things were changed by Agatha."

Flowers said he remembers he and Delancy went to former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom to present the idea of the creation of the driving range at Baillou Hills.
"Ever since that day to now, it's been female golfers making their contribution, including Yvonne Shaw," Flowers said.

"But Agatha was the woman behind a lot of the developments."
Flowers said Delancy's fingerprints are imprinted all around the golf course and he has made them a promise that he will continue to support the Flamingos golf club.

"This is the home of the Flamingos," he said.

"Anyone joining the Flamingos can utilise the facilities whenever they wish to do so."