Ginger Howard

Ginger Howard (born March 15, 1994) is an American professional golfer. At the age of 17, she was the youngest African American golfer to turn professional. In 2010, she was the first-ever Black golfer to play on a Junior Ryder Cup team, helping Team USA to win the title in Scotland.

Early life and education Howard grew up in West Philadelphia, and was introduced to golf at the age of 6 by her father, Robert, who worked as a retail manager; her mother, Gianna, worked as a nurse. In 2003, the family moved from Maryland to Florida to be closer to better golf courses.

Amateur career In May 2007, at the age of 13, Howard advanced through the first stage of qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open, shooting 75 in a USGA local event at Imperial Golf Club in Naples, Florida. She qualified for a total of four U.S. Girls' Juniors. to earn her a spot on Team USA's Junior Ryder Cup squad. She was the first African American junior golfer named to a Ryder Cup team. the first time the U.S. team had won on foreign soil.

Professional career Howard turned professional in 2012. During her rookie year, Howard won five Suncoast Series Pro titles, and finished first on the money list at the end of the season. where she was one of the youngest players on the circuit. becoming one of four African American women on the tour in 2016, and one of eight black members of the LPGA since 1964. she stopped playing competitive golf to focus on rehabilitation from chronic shoulder and knee injuries.

Having returned to competitive golf, in April 2021, Howard won the Mackie Construction Ladies Professional Championship on the Women’s All Pro Tour.