by AAGD STAFF
Melvin Ballard was an up-and-coming golfer in the area during the mid-60’s when Walter L. Wyatt—who was then learning the game from his uncle—was introduced to him. “He influenced a lot of people in golf. A barber by trade, tall in stature, he commanded a presence that made me want to be like him,” says Walter. Ballard entered the service.
This year, the annual Ballard Memorial golf tournament turned 50 and marked a significant landmark for bringing golfers together. On Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17, the field at Ingersoll Golf Course was full of excitement. Music honoring the outing began with the solemn sound of Taps being played on the trumpet. Certainly, this is not a typical way to begin a tee-off, but neither is this 50th golf celebration that recognizes a Vietnam Veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice. Melvin Ballard was killed in action near Saigon on March 11, 1967.
Hosted by the Rockford Sportsman’s Golf Association, started in 1048, the organizational membership spans a wide age range, up to the eighties. Tournament manager, Jerry Latin showcased an excellent event and several players who attended were personal friends of Melvin Ballard. The popularity of the tournament places it on the Rockford calendar and the word has spread quickly across the nation on the importance of the event which benefits the Rockford Sportsman’s Golf Association and provides Scholarship for area high school students and provides food basked for people in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas. In fact, the organization has been of such great assistance to the Rockford community that June 16 has been marked as Melvin Ballard Day by the Rockford city council.
“It is fantastic when golfers can play in a tournament that serves to honor a great man and also benefit our future by funding scholarships for area high school seniors and ongoing efforts in serving the local community,” says Debert Cook, publisher of African American Golfer’s Digest. “When subscriber Duwayne Morgan told me about this annual outing, I wanted to know more and, was thrilled to be able to share news of the tournament with our readership.
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The outing offered lots of prizes and there was entry opportunity with flights for men, women, and seniors.
“As you get older, you realize the reason behind it. It’s too important to let that memory go. So it’s important to the Park District, Rockford, and the RSGA. We’re going to make sure it keeps going,” says RPD director of golf operations Duncan Geddes to WREX .com “There are more important things than golf. This is someone who died serving our country. It’s very cool to play in a tournament to honor him,” says 2018 Ballard Memorial winner Robert Dofflemyer.
Sergent Melvin Ballard’s Panel is located on The Wall of Faces at 16E, Line 56 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. His service is recorded for all of history and his courage will most certainly endure another 50-years, and more.
Golfers played competitively and enjoyed the camaraderie. Robert Dofflemyer (-7) won the men’s championship flight. While his mother Hui Chong Dofflemyer (-1) won the women’s championship. Kevin Flack entered Sunday with a three-stroke lead after shooting a 64 and he shot a 68 in the final round, putting him at -10 and win the tournament.
