On December 20, 2021, after 18 years of organizing and managing the highly popular Pioneer Golf Tournament, Co-founder Jessie Brooks sent an email message to supporters announcing that he and fellow Co-founder Ron Fuller would no longer be holding the fundraiser event which annually teed up at the historic Clearview Golf Course in East Canton, Ohio. The announcement read:
“Ron and I have enjoyed hosting the Pioneer Golf Tournament for 18 years. It has been wonderful meeting a great group of people. It came to be a family reunion as well as a golf tournament. Ron and I will not be hosting the pioneer golf tournament anymore.”
(l-r) Ron Fuller and Jessie Brooks
Brooks has shared his passion for golf with thousands of players over the last 18 years and leveraged his efforts to fundraise and benefit the Clearview Golf Course, America’s first Black designed, built, owned, operated and managed golf course. Established in 1949 by the late William Powell, today the Head Pro at the historic course is Powell’s daughter, Renee Powell (PGA/LPGA).
Last year, in 2021, over 100 participants enjoyed the 3-day long event. Players came from states across the country, as they did each year, to network, meet up with friends, enjoy the good food, BBQ, nightly social mixers, and challenging rounds at the beautiful Clearview Golf Course.
“It was a pleasure to help spread the word about Clearview and I hope people will continue to support the course,” says Brooks who retired a few years ago and now spends his time with his lovely wife, Gail, between Coral Gables, Florida and Negril, Jamaica.
Co-founder Ron Fuller has announced to hold a final tournament that will commemorate the legacy of the Pioneer Golf Tournament. “It has been a joy to watch the growth of Clearview Golf Course over the 18 years. I am planning to host one more year as a ‘Finale’ Tournament to close out our adventures, trials, tribulations, successes, and fun experiences over those cherished years together. This will not be the traditional Tournament but rather a Pioneer Finale golf Outing as a farewell gathering,” Fuller stated in an email to supporters. “The intent was to expose and support Clearview Golf Course to/for as many golfers that were unaware of the historical significance and beauty it represented,” said Fuller.
Certainly, this will be an event to remember and celebrate while honoring the work of Brooks and Fuller in support of the Clearview Golf Course. For more information on the 2022 Final Tournament visit https://africanamericangolfersdigest.com/events/pioneer-golf-tournament-19th-hole-finale/
