Past Events
FROM EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION
Celebrating African American Golf Pioneers and Charting a More Diverse Future
DuSable Museum for African American History
Illinois Black Legislator’s Auditorium
740 E. 56th Place
Chicago, IL 60637
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
For additional information call 773-358-1315 or email info@jpgachicago.com
Panelists are relatives, historians, and strong advocates for minority inclusion in golf.
- Peggy Rhodes-White and Tiffany White: Daughter and Granddaughter, respectively, of golf pioneer, Ted Rhodes
- Andre Stephens, Sr.: Great Grandson of Walter Speedy, known as the “Father of African American golf in Chicago”
- Dr. Michael Cooper: historian advocating for diversity and inclusion in golf for over 30 years
- Ron Skubisz: PGA Professional and General Manager of Pottawatomie Golf Club in St. Charles, Illinois
PROGRAM
JPGA Golf Exhibit
Opens at 6 PM
Documentary screening
6:00-6:45 PM
Panel Discussion
7:00-8:30 PM
JPGA African American Golf Exhibit
On display will be golf artifacts shared by individuals and members of Chicago’s golf leagues and clubs!
Uneven Fairways: The Story of the Negro Leagues of Golf
Screening of the 2009 documentary of the history of African-American golfers is based on the books: Uneven Fairways by Pete McDaniel, and Forbidden Fairways, by Dr. Calvin Sinnette, and directed by Dan Levinson.
2019 JPGA GOLF MEET, GREET, & EAT AND INVITATIONAL
MEET, GREET, & EAT
Torrential rains the day before didn’t stop our friends and supporters from showing up on 9/28/19 to fellowship! We had raffles, prizes, and lots of food from our caterer, Andrea Dillon of Bon Manger Catering.
2nd ANNUAL INVITATIONAL - RAIN DATE
The sky may have been blue without a cloud, but Chicago lived up to its namesake as the “Windy City”! It was a brisk 49 degrees Fahrenheit, but golfers braved the climate to crown the 2019 winners.
St. Mark Golf Club 2019 Men's Champion
JPGA Board Member, Pat awarding Anthony Williams the coveted trophy as he single-handedly won it for St. Mark! Kudos!
Repeat Champs - The Fairway Network
Diane receives the trophy on their behalf. Low gross medalist Robin Shoffner will have a beautiful trophy for her display and bragging rights!
MEET, GREET, & EAT - 9/28/2019
2ND ANNUAL INVITATIONAL - RAIN DATE 10/12/2019
YOU HELPED MAKE IT POSSIBLE
The Jackson Park Golf Association extends our sincerest gratitude to the 19 Sponsors for our 2019 Golf Invitational!
Your donations and contributions gave our guests fond and life-long memories at both the Meet, Greet, and & Eat and the 2nd Annual Invitational.
God Willing we will return next year!
HONOR CEREMONY FOR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Congratulations gentlemen on your accomplishments…
Jackson Park Golf Association (JPGA) and Chicago Parks Golf Alliance (CPGA) honored south side youth Tim Arrington and Abdel Raoul who were awarded full scholarships for their golfing and caddie skills, Monday, April 29, 2019, at the Jackson Park Fieldhouse, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave., from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Tim Arrington, a senior at Kenwood High School, is a recipient of the Western Golf Association’s (WGA) coveted Evans Scholarship and will be attending Marquette University. The Evans Scholarship is a 4-year full tuition and housing scholarship, awarded by the Western Golf Association based upon criteria of work record as a caddie, financial need, academics and personal character. Tim is notably the first student to earn an Evans Scholarship working at Jackson Park since 1993. “The Evans Scholarship will fulfill my dreams of a college education, and advance desires to serve others through a career in the medical field, “stated Arrington. “Thanks to the Western golf Association, and all the Jackson Park golfers who encouraged me as a caddie, as well as in the classroom and community. there is no greater feeling than seeing my mother overjoyed with my success. I’m proud this scholarship eliminates the stress of tuition she wouldn’t be able to afford.”
Abdel Raoul, a senior at Mount Carmel High School, is the recipient of an Academic Scholarship as well as a Golf Scholarship to play as a NCAA Division 1 Golfer at Prairie View A&M University, where he’ll major in Mechanical Engineering. Abdel’s phenomenal golfing talents garnered him an opportunity to represent the First tee of Greater Chicago at the 2017 Pure Insurance Impacting the First Tee Golf Tournament in Pebble Beach. “Having the opportunity to represent Chicago in that great tournament was amazing!” declared Raoul. “The golfing opportunities, hard work, and courses I have played, along with the sacrifices from my parents, helped get me to where I am today. I am absolutely blessed to be recognized by Coach Jennings (Prairie View A&M Coach) as a golfer and student that can make a positive impact on his team.”
JPGA and CPGA members are extremely proud of these young men’s accomplishments. Not only are their caddie and golfing skills exemplary but their academics as well.
Several representatives of leagues/clubs as well as community leaders, family, friends, and of course golfers, joined us to celebrate the accomplishments of these extraordinary young men. They represent the best of what our community has to offer the City of Chicago and the nation.
WATCH THE SCHOLARS AND THEIR MOMS ON WINDY CITY LIVE, 5/14/19. Click the “NEWS” tab.
JPGA INVITATIONAL
"A great event! You must do this every year!" - Marcus Murray (The Shadows)
The inaugural invitational of the Jackson Park Golf Association was a huge success according to the greater than 100 golfers playing the historic Jackson Park Golf Course. There were 14 men and women leagues/clubs from all over the Chicago area that enjoyed not only clement weather but also delicious food and camaraderie among old and new friends!
Men Leagues/Clubs represented:
Chicago Park District
Coalition of African American Leaders
Divots
Jackson Park Men
St. Mark Golf Club
South Shore Men’s League
South Shore Regulars
The Shadows
Two-Seaters
Women Leagues/Clubs represented:
Chicago Women’s Golf Club
Ebony Ladies Golf League
Ladies on the Green
The Fairway Network
Women’s Jackson Park Golf Club (WJPGC)
The Chicago Park District sponsored the greens fees; the Chicago Parks Golf Alliance (https://chicagoparksgolfalliance.org/) sponsored the delicious food prepared by Andrea Dillon, owner of Bon Manger Catering; Mr. Robert Curry of the Divots Golf Club sponsored 20 golf carts; and Rev. Dr. Leon Finney sponsored the beautiful crystal trophies given to the Men and Women League/Club Champions.
We were honored to have among our guests, Andre and Terri Stephens, Sr., the Great-Grandson of Walter and Nettie George Speedy; Peggy Rhodes-White and Tiffany White, the daughter and granddaughter, respectively, of golfing great and pioneer, Ted Rhodes.
Also present, was RBS Drone Technologies, Inc. (http://rbsdronetech.com/) that photographed stills and video of golfers around the course.
Mr. Henry Taylor displayed amazing still photos of golf pioneers and historical facts about golf. For example, the inventor of the golf tee, Dr. George Grant, the first African American winner of a LPGA tournament, pictures of golf pioneers, and much more. Awesome history that must be shared!
Mr. Larry McCune of Cato Embroidery displayed his beautiful embroidered clothes and sponsored two gift certificates for the raffle drawing. Additional raffle items were a gift certificate for car service at Foreign Car Hospital, golf lessons from Coach Craig Bowen, golf bags, cash, apparel, and more! One of the highlights of the raffle drawings was the 50/50 drawing which collected $480 and paid $240 to Nicole Willis of The Fairway Network.
Contests winners battled it out for winning honors and in the closest to the pin for men the winning difference was less than one inch!
HOLE #6
MEN
Paul Beene, South Shore Men
WOMEN
Diane Meades, The Fairway Network
HOLE #13
MEN
Nelson Garrett, South Shore
WOMEN
Dianne Mister, Ebony Ladies Golf League
The longest drive winners swung easy to keep it not only long, but also in the fairway!
HOLE #14
WOMEN
Nicole Willis, Ladies on the Green
HOLE #15
MEN
Anthony J. Williams, St. Mark Golf Club
The pairings matched organizations and individuals pitting one against the other and yielded the best scores of dynamic duos:
MEN
Phil Smith (South Shore Men)/ Jeff Wilson 62
WOMEN
Nichole O’Conner (The Fairway Network)/ Linda Thomas (WJPGC) 76
Not only did adults have a great time, but so did our junior golfers, Donovan, Mathis, and Abdel. Donovan and Mathis attend Kenwood Academy and Abdel attends Mount Carmel. Donovan and Mathis were stationed on holes 12 and 8, respectively, challenging themselves to hit-the-green more times than the adults and earn tickets every time their ball was on the green. Called the “Junior Mulligan” Contest, prizes were awarded for first and second place based on the number of tickets collected. Donovan collected 14 and Mathis 10!
This is Mathis’ first year playing golf after he started the caddy program at Jackson Park in 2017! Donovan advanced to the Championship for CPS! Great job gentlemen, keep pushing and striving!
Abdel was stationed on hole 6 allowing his score to help golfers that needed a boost in lowering their score. Abdel is first bag at Mount Carmel and has played Varsity since his freshman year.
In the end, the league/club with the lowest gross score:
MEN
SOUTH SHORE LEAGUE
WOMEN
THE FAIRWAY NETWORK
Congratulations to both organizations for earning bragging rights for one year (unless of course, they repeat)!
JPGA Inaugural Invitational
JOIN JPGA AT THE 89th BUD BILLIKEN PARADE
Saturday, August 11, 2018 come out to celebrate the 89th Annual Parade celebration!
Come out and meet the Chicago Park District winners:
- 114th City Amateur Women’s: Miss Erica Jackson, North Carolina A & T University
- 46th Junior Amateur Champions:
- Boy’s: Abdel Raoul, Senior, Mount Carmel HS
- Girl’s: Raquel Simpson, Junior, Walter Payton Preparatory HS
Jackson Park Golf Association will march along with its members and junior golfers!
Bud Billiken Parade 2018
JPGA/CPGA April 2017 Town Hall Event
Jackson Park Golf Association and Chicago Parks Golf Alliance (CPGA) hosted a Town Hall on April 10, 2017 to discuss the Jackson Park and South Shore Golf Course Restoration Project.
In attendance were golf leagues and clubs that play the courses and community residents.
Mark Rolfing, NBC Golf Channel Analyst and President/Founder of CPGA, led the discussion to answer the many questions posed by the leagues and clubs that will be directly impacted by the project.
Jackson Park & South Shore Golf Courses
The century-old golf courses have a rich history in Chicago’s south side and the restoration of the two embodies “A Bold Vision Built on a Proud Past.”
JPGA Symposium 2017
Jackson Park Golf Association in conjunction with CPGA hosted a symposium November 6, 2017 to discuss the history and underrepresentation of African Americans in the billion dollar golf industry.
Theme: Honor the Past, Mold the Present, and Realize a Strong Future for African American Golf
Panelists: Pete McDaniel, Craig Bowen, Miljan Akin, Harry Gilliam, and Mark Rolfing