By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — The Maggie Hathaway Golf Course will reopen March 28 after the 9-hole, par-3 course underwent a nearly $20 million renovation that began in 2024.
The renovation brings new tee boxes, turf, greens, sand traps, and landscaping, all designed by the renowned firm Hanse Golf Course Design, according to public records. A new clubhouse was built that includes a golf pro shop, café, offices, restrooms, and community room with a youth enrichment lab.
Interpretive elements highlighting the contributions of Maggie Hathaway also will be included.
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Maggie Junior Golf and Community Foundation and American Golf, will provide tours and hold a ceremony ahead of the golf course’s reopening March 27.
Hathaway was originally from Louisiana and set down roots in Los Angeles in 1931. During the civil rights movement, Hathaway became a major activist in the Los Angeles-Hollywood region.
After she took up golf as a pastime after winning a bet against Joe Louis in 1955, she began agitating against local golf courses which restricted usage by Black patrons.
She used her skills as a journalist to endorse the sport in Los Angeles newspapers.
In 1960, she created the Minority Association for Golfers whose mission was to dismantle barriers, advocate for equality, and foster a supportive network.. She continued to pursue inclusion of professional Black golfers participation in the Pro Golf Association tour and holding golf jobs throughout her career.
Data shows that only 3% of recreational golfers are minorities which includes roughly 7 million Blacks, Asian and Latinos across the nation.
According to the National Golf Foundation, the number of women and girls playing golf on a course has risen 23% since 2018, while the number of Asian, Black and Latino golfers has jumped 43%. The foundation also reports a 40% increase in the number of juniors getting out on the golf course.
Hathaway served as the president of the NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood chapter and in 1994, she was inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame.
In 1997, the county renamed the Jack Thompson Golf Course to honor Hathaway.
Former state Sen. Steve Bradford and 2nd county Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell spearheaded the renovations.
“Ms. Hathaway, as I’ve stated, was one of the early Jedi warriors and I’m not talking about Star Wars, I’m talking about for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion,” Bradford said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovations in 2024. “You won’t have to be into your late years to know what her legacy is because it will be promoted and amplified every time you come on this golf course.
Mitchell promised to “leave the Second District better than I found it”.
The Maggie Hathaway Golf Course is located at 1921 W. 98th St. in South Los Angeles, adjacent to Jesse Owens Park.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
