July 24, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
The inaugural Greater Chicagoland Club Championship (GCCC) held its two-day event on Saturday, July 11-Sunday, July 12, 2020. As golfers gathered on the greens they entered into the musical fun-filled world of the one and only, multi-talented Host, Tournament Director, and renowned DJ Chuck Dogg (Charles Moreland).
On Saturday golfers teed off at Woodruff Golf Club in Joliet, IL, and on Sunday at Tamarack Golf Club located in Naperville, IL. Named by Golf Digest the “Best New Public Golf Course of the Year” when it debuted in 1989, Tamarack Golf Club’s spectacular par-70, 6,901-yard championship layout continues to be recognized among the finest daily fee golf properties in the Midwest.
The event, which garners participants who live in the greater Chicagoland area, highlights African American golf groups while providing fun and camaraderie in a competitive format where a “Champion” group is crowned.
Under blue skies and pleasant 79-degree weather, DJ Chuck Dogg was very pleased with the outcome of the inaugural event, saying, “Overall we had 83 golfers to participate in the GCCC on Sunday. Making this the largest golf tournament of its kind in Chicago this year.”
The only caveat? Because of Covid-19, the tournament format was changed from a shotgun start to golfers having tee times, as they would on a regular round.
A BATTLE HEATS UP
The GCCC tournament competition was fierce with a tight battle between $27 Group Team A and the PinSeekers, resulting Pollard Burwell and Charles Dixon both winning their divisions and Joe Taylor and Kenny Mac placing second in their division. The PinSeekers were poised to capture the GCCC Cup.
The highlight of the GCCC was 72-year-old golfer Harold Kirkling, Commissioner of the $27 Group, who shot a 92 to win the Ted Rhodes Division.
Kirkling’s teammate, Jay Johnson, won the Louis Division to get them another 100 points. So it was left up to the other team members to step up, and step up they did. Ten of the sixteen $27 Group Team A members scored for their team, additionally, they received 25 extra points for having the most group members participate, helping them to reach 525 points, the GCCC Cup, the $1,000 prize, and the title of Best Golf Group in the Greater Chicagoland Area.
“I wish to give special thanks to Jimmie Chess who was a tremendous help by organizing groups on the first tee,” said DJ Chuck Dogg, a master conversationalist who has hosted an afternoon radio show on New York’s Power 105. “And congratulations to the $27 Group, you deserve the recognition!”
See the full leaderboard and money disbursement here: https://djchuckdog.com/final-stats-2020-gccc
See tournament photos here: https://djchuckdog.com/photos
The next Championship is scheduled to be held around Mid-July 2021. Stay tuned for details by visiting https://djchuckdog.com/events
