| Golf was a limited-involvement activity among Chinese in Southern California for many years before WWII, but the idea of an organized club started quietly among a handful of Chinese duffers who were hoofing their way around local golf courses.
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| In December 1945, a group of eight players got together at Beachwood Lodge and organized the Chinese Golf Association of Southern California, for the dual purpose of creating more interest in the game, and more friendships among Chinese. The CGA’s original charter members were Harry Chong, Jimmy Chung, Frank Dun, Benson Fong, Bill Kan, Clarence Lung, Art Sue and Victor Sen Young.
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| Within a year, the membership of the club grew to 38 players, but included golfers residing outside the city of Los Angeles, which was beyond the charter of the CGA’s constitution. The club then changed its name to the Southern California Chinese Golf Association, drew and passed a new Constitution and By-Laws, and organized the first “Los Angeles Invitational Golf Tournament”, a Labor Day team match against the San Francisco Chinese Golf Club.
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| Wedge Clip dated Sept 1, 1946: "The July tournament was something in the way of a novelty for our members with Jimmy and Al Chung playing hosts to the club over week-end at Lake Elsinore. Saturday night was well spent swimming, drinking, and feasting Hawaiian style with luau pig stuffed with roasted yams, corn on the cob, and new potatoes. A poker session kept an interest other than golf until the wee hours of the morning when it was broken up by the call to the waves and the dragging of the fisherman’s nets. The caravan then traveled forty miles to Gilman Springs where the tournament was played. Dr Frank Dun burned up the course with a cool 77 to edge out prexy James Chung, Sr…"..
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| From these humble and friendly beginnings, the foundation of today’s Los Angeles Chinese Golf Club was set, and the original CGA spirit of fun and competition has been perpetuated for over 60 years. Our club Charter continues to embody the dual goals of the original CGA: to promote friendships and the game of golf.
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| LACGC’s home course is Los Angeles Royal Vista GC in Walnut, where we play every Sunday morning. The club sponsors monthly tournaments and other fun competitions; annual and bi-annual events such as Calcutta Auction, Las Vegas Trip and other out-of-town golf excursions; Christmas Party (great food!); and various other outings and Chinese Golf Federation competitions.
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| All members enjoy guaranteed tee times, SCGA handicapping service, invitations to Federation events in Monterey, Vancouver, Stockton and other cities, and the opportunity to relax and play with a like-minded group of golf and Chinese food lovers. Welcome to the Los Angeles Chinese Golf Club!
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| Other CGA / SCCGA / LACGC milestones:
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- 1953 Adopted USGA hadicapping system.
- 1954 Women admitted into the club membership.
- 1957 Name changed to Los Angeles Chinese Golf Club.
- 1968 First annual Las Vegas Tournament.
- 1970 Home course moved from Montebello GC to Pomona National (now called Los Angeles Royal Vista); the Federation of Chinese Golf Clubs was formed with eight other Chinese Golf Clubs.
- 1981 First annual Benson Fong Golf Classic; re-named Benson Fong Memorial Golf Tournament in 1987.
- 1989 The last Labor Day team competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco
- 1994 LACGC's Labor Day Tournament converted to bi-annual Memorial Day Federation Tournament.
- 1995 Joined SCGA club membership and handicapping service.
- 1996 The 50th Anniversary Commemorative Journal was published by member Gloria Yuen.
- 2000 The LACGC.com internet website created by members Tony and Greg Chau.
- 2006 The 60th Anniversary Party at Chuck and Susan Wong’s beautiful South Pasadena home.
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