EBONY LIFE LINE Currie pioneers way into hall

Alma Currie, a trailblazer as a black female golfer, is among 13 persons named to the Ebony Hall of Fame.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- Although one of the first black female league golfers in the area, Alma Currie of Warren never thought of herself as being a pioneer or trailblazer.
She first took up the game about 30 years ago just so she could spend more time with her husband, Joe, and son, Terry, who both were avid players.
Currie developed her talents quickly, averaging nine hole scores of 38 and 39. And she went on to play in about 10 leagues -- the first black woman in most of them -- and still plays in four of these leagues at age 75.
Currie does believe she has made an impact for female golfers in general, including blacks, by exposing them to the sport and paving the way for many of them to play league golf.
"No, I never thought of being a pioneer," said Currie, who was born near Birmingham, Ala., and came to Warren when she was about 17. "The only thing I tried to do after I established myself in the leagues, I tried to bring black females in, but I also brought [in] quite a few white females."
Among 13 entering Hall
But the Ebony Life Line All Sports Museum Hall of Fame does consider Currie a trailblazer for women's golf, in addition to being an outstanding golfer, and has selected her as one of 13 members to this year's induction class.
The group will be inducted at The Ebony Lifeline Support Group's "All Sports Banquet" Friday at the S.P. Phillips Banquet Hall, Tabernacle Baptist Church, 707 Arlington St., Youngstown, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Joining Currie in the Hall will be Curtis Jack Carter (bowling), Willie McGaha (baseball), Rev. Kenneth "Ted" Grissett (baseball, bowling, basketball, football), Claude Bentley (track and coach), Marcie Lottier (bowling), Jerry McGaha, Joseph Dixon (boxing) (posthumously), Henry Clarett (football), Dr. James Rogers (football), Alfrick Gladen (contributor), Frank West (boxer and trainer) and Greg Richardson (boxing).
The guest speaker will be Cryshanna Jackson, master of sports management, author and motivational speaker. Master of ceremonies will be Ronald Casey and McCullough Williams, hosts of radio station WGFT-AM.
Tickets may be reserved by contacting William Allen (330-746-0355).
Husband-son factor
Currie said her second husband, Joe Currie, an avid golfer who died last year, was instrumental in launching her golf career -- although unknowingly at the time.
"When I met him, he was golfing all the time, he and my son [Terry Young] at Avalon South," recalled Alma. "They were coming home late at night and I wanted to know what they were doing, so I decided to take up golf on my own. And without [Joe] knowing, I took lessons at Vienna short holes because I thought that was the only way I was going to keep up with him and my son."
As she learned how to play, "I didn't tell my husband and son for at least 4-6 weeks, and then I told [Joe] that I wanted to play golf with him, and I started to play with him and my son on our own."
Alma said Joe was impressed by how quickly she learned, and thought his teaching tips were the reason.
"So about 3-4 months after I started golfing with them, I finally told him I had been practicing," said Alma.
kovach@vindy.com