Ingrid Duggan, right, is senior co-chair, and Elaine Dausy is vice co-chair of 2018 Fairway to Equality,

Adam S. Johnson | HRC DFW

For almost two decades, the Fairway to Equality tournament has supported the Human Rights Campaign’s mission to end discrimination against LGBTQ people and to realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. This Saturday, June 9, the 23rd Fairway to Equality will be held at Indian Creek Golf Club in Carrolton.

Fairway to Equality has been hosted by multiple LGBTQ organizations since its founding, starting with Oak Lawn Community Services and later, with Uncommon Legacy, a national organization providing college scholarships to lesbians who otherwise couldn’t afford to get a degree. In 2004, Fairway to Equality found a new home for the tournament with the Human Rights Campaign DFW. We got to chat with the co-chair Ingrid Duggan about the plans for this year’s tournament and its unique history.

ASJ: Who are the co-chairs and other organizing members for this year’s tournament? Ingrid Duggan: I’m serving as the senior co-chair, and I’ve been involved for six years. I’ve served as the co-chair of the tournament for four years and will be retiring from the tournament this year. I also serve on the Human Rights Campaign’s National Board of Governors.
The vice co-chair is Elaine Dausy, and this is Elaine’s first year as a co-chair. She also serves on the National Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign and will be leading the tournament next year as the senior co-chair. Karina Guerra will be vice co-chair next year. 

Is there a unique theme for this year’s tournament? There isn’t a specific theme for the tournament, but there are some new features this year. We are having a fundraiser for the tournament that’s called “The Helipcopter Ball Drop,” which is sponsored by Brandy Whitmire with the Brandy Whitmire Mortgage Team. A helicopter will drop 300 numbered golf balls — each of which is sponsored by donors — onto the putting green at kick-off, and whosever ball lands into the hole first, wins a $1,000.

Could you tell me about the roots of Fairway to Equality? When was it started and who were the original founders? Candy Marcum started the tournament. Originally it was known as an all-lesbian tournament. While the majority of players now are from the lesbian community, the tournament has become more inclusive over the years. We have several straight allies, as well as our transgender brothers and sisters, signing up to play. We love watching how diverse the players have become!

What main goals were you trying to improve upon this year over previous years? We’re striving to make our sponsorships a little more interesting, like with the helicopter drop and a golf ball cannon that shoots balls down the fairway, which Jami Lovejoy with PinPaws dog tracking sponsored this year. We definitely are trying to change it up for a better experience for the players and our sponsors. And of course, our famous Margarita Tent will be HUGE this year. Sue Ellen’s has been the sponsor for several years, and they’re going to make it the talk of the course on golf day. 

Are there any sponsors or affiliated brands you’d like to thank? We definitely want to thank our local presenting sponsor, Ky Fiser with Fiser Wealth Management in Dallas. Ky has been with us for several years now, and he’s been a huge supporter and asset to the Fairway to Equality team. Karen Zeligson, a supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, took on one of our biggest sponsorships this year as our Award Ceremony Sponsor. We really have some special people who wrap their arms around this tournament. 

If you’d like to follow all of the tournament’s action tomorrow, like the FairwayToEquality Facebook page.