Golf instructor drives writing skills to ‘par'fection

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Schloeffel
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
From bustling Wall Street in New York City to the southern pace of Valdosta, one golf instructor here has made a career of adjusting and tackling new challenges.

Addie Cobb, Quiet Pines operations clerk and golf instructor, continued this path as she recently added professional writer to her laundry list of career accolades, which includes accountant, cosmetologist, secretary and certified golf instructor.

After submitting articles about her golf success to the African American Golfer's Digest quarterly publication, the magazine asked her to take on the role of contributing editor.

"It came as a complete surprise to me," said Mrs. Cobb, a New York City native. "After submitting a few articles, I spoke with the publisher a couple times concerning the work I was doing here at Moody. From there, they asked me to be a contributing editor."

The magazine offered Mrs. Cobb the position because of her expertise and abilities as an instructor, said Debert Cook, African American Golfer's Digest publisher and president.

"Addie is extremely qualified for the position," said Ms. Cook. "She was an ideal candidate when I began the search to include an additional trainer in our golf instruction section. She is up-to-date on the latest equipment and training aids, and her knowledge in this area is incredible."

Mrs. Cobb also recently accepted a position on the magazine's editorial advisory board, where her duties will expand to help bring greater awareness of the increasing participation of minorities in the golfing world.

As contributing editor, Mrs. Cobb is expected to delve into a skill which she has little prior experience - writing. Despite this lack of experience, Mrs. Cobb said she enjoys embarking on the challenges her new position provides.

"I needed writing skills when I worked as a manager, but I never held a writing position," she said. "I think I'm really doing well though, and my first article comes out this summer. I keep a pad in my car and by my bed because I never know when an idea will come to me."

Venturing into such uncharted territories is commonplace for Mrs. Cobb, whose golfing skills as an African American female conquers stereotypes in a sport dominated by white males, she said.

"Breaking down barriers is something I've done throughout my life, so this is no different," she said. "When I was hired as staff accountant (at a major firm) in 1978, I was the first African American female to work there."

Mrs. Cobb said she doesn't see any of these barriers while working at Moody, and the base provides the community environment she longed for after moving from her home.

Her husband, a retired Army major and native Georgian, moved the family to the Valdosta area upon his retirement. At first, Mrs. Cobb's big-city instincts and being away from family made her uncertain about staying in South Georgia, she said.

"When I first came to Georgia, it was strange and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to stay," said Mrs. Cobb. "Moody helped me feel more comfortable, because most people here are from somewhere else, so I could relate. I stopped feeling sorry for myself, and it helped motivate me to work here."

Her employment at Moody's golf course for the past four years has also given her the opportunity to hone her skills; and as a result her game has blossomed. Her scores average in the low 80s and she's played in numerous Ladies Professional Golf Association Pro-Am tournaments.

With such a dynamic career, avenues such as golf writing only re-emphasizes why she chose to steer her life toward her favorite pastime.

"I went to a reunion to see some of my former co-workers from (a previous job), and they were mad at me after I said I've just been playing a lot of golf," said Mrs. Cobb. "My previous careers were demanding, stressful and were strictly for financial and economic reasons. What I do now is solely for personal satisfaction, and I love it."

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