Carralero “Kelsie” Warren, Head Women’s Golf Coach at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Kim Evans Award, as announced by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) in collaboration with the PGA of America.
The prestigious award honors the lifetime achievement of the WGCA Hall of Fame coach from Auburn University. The Kim Evans Award is presented annually to the college coach and Class A PGA of America Professional whose support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped ensure the continued growth of golf, and who represents the finest qualities the sport has to offer.
Through two full seasons as the head women’s golf coach at Methodist University, Warren has led the Monarchs to back-to-back USA South Athletic Conference titles and two NCAA Championship appearances. She has been named the USA South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in both seasons and has coached two WGCA All-Americans.
Before arriving at Methodist, Warren spent three successful seasons as the head women’s golf coach at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
In addition to coaching, Warren is the Assistant Director for the PGA Golf Management University Program at Methodist. Elected to PGA of America Membership in 2015, she is a Certified Professional in Teaching & Coaching and Player Development. Warren is also PGA HOPE-certified.
Ira Molayo was introduced to golf when he was 7 by his mother at Cedar Crest Golf Course in Dallas, Texas.
Today, more than 40 years later, he is a PGA of America Golf Professional, Director of Golf at Cedar Crest and the Vice President of the Northern Texas PGA Section. His focus on and off the course has remained the same, too.
At the heart of everything Molayo does is inclusion.
On the course, he’s helping youth in South Dallas learn to play golf, work in golf and earn scholarships to receive higher education. Off the course, he’s the first Black PGA of America Golf Professional to serve as an officer for the Northern Texas Section. He’s in line to become President in 2026.
Molayo’s I AM a Golfer Foundation, was established out of necessity in 2018 to be a catalyst for community renewal and transformation in South Dallas. In 2015, Cedar Crest had the largest First Tee program in Dallas. Then the First Tee program was moved to nearby Trinity Forest Golf Club, leaving juniors wanting to stay at Cedar Crest in need of help.
Molayo took action to create the foundation – its name comes from the power of positive affirmations – to provide lessons, clubs and access for those who couldn’t afford golf. It’s grown exponentially ever since.
“Everyone needs to understand that you can be whatever your mind’s eye sees you to be,” Molayo says.
Besides teaching, the I AM a Golfer Foundation helps preserve Cedar Crest and promotes the game through events like the Dallas Amateur Championship and the Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest – a Black collegiate tournament that was televised on Golf Channel last fall.
The Foundation’s youth programs have three pillars: I AM a Golfer, I AM an Intern and I AM a Scholar.
“Now I’m not just your golf coach, I’m your mentor, providing guidance to you. It’s a deeper relationship,” explains Molayo.
“One of the benefits of golf is that it opens doors and provides opportunities for you. Specifically for those coming from a histor- ically underrepresented group, it really provides a feather in your cap, a way to stand out.”
—Jesse Dodson
