Erika Shavers, affectionately known as “Birdie”, is the founder of Swing Easy Golf, LLC, and a passionate advocate for youth and community golf education. A proud Chicago native, she serves as Director of Community Outreach for First Tee – Greater Chicago, an international junior golf organization that teaches kids ages 4-18 the game of golf. Erika is also an LPGA Teaching Professional (Class A Member) at Harborside International Golf Center and a part-time teaching pro at East Bank Club in Chicago, IL.

In May 2025, Birdie was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame for her dedication to youth and the golf community. Her inspiring journey has been featured in books, magazines, and on national television.

Her passion for golf became a lifeline during the financial hardships of the 2007 real estate recession. Determined to recover, she attended a women’s golf clinic in Frankfort, IL. After several weeks of group lessons, she began private lessons, quickly becoming a skilled golfer. Just a year and a half later, she secured a part-time role with Billy Casper Golf (now Indigo Golf Partners), one of the largest golf management companies in the industry.

As a licensed real estate professional for over 25 years, Erika continued in real estate to support herself while nurturing her newfound love for golf. Her passion eventually led her to create Ladies on the Green, a vibrant women’s golf league she founded on March 28, 2012. Birdie has also coached successful boys’ high school golf teams at Kenwood Academy and South Shore High School.

Erika’s inspiring journey (How Golf Helped Me Reinvent Myself) has been featured in A Purpose Driven Woman, 14 Memoirs on Becoming Fearless and Intentional. The book showcases 14 women telling their stories of becoming “fearless and intentional” on their life’s journey.

Fun fact: Erika, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., was also a contestant on Season 4 of Holey Moley, winning the coveted gold putter and green jacket in episodes 9 & 10. Additionally, the publisher, Debert Cook of African American Golfer’s Digest magazine, featured her story in the March 21, 2024, issue.

Erika loves working with students of all ages and finds joy in bringing happiness to others through the transformative power of golf. Please welcome a true trailblazer, mentor, and champion for women in golf!