Louis J. Chestnut, March 7, 1935 to Aug. 20, 2004, was a “Someone You Should Know” in the world of golf. He loved golf and began to hone his golfing skills while caddying as a small boy on the beautiful golf courses of Pensacola, FL. Lou graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola. In 1959 he received the very first Golf Scholarship awarded by Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. He lettered four years at Southern University, and was named ALL-SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) in three of those seasons. Lou also served as Captain of the 1963 Golf Team. From 1963 to 1965, he worked for Job Now in Chicago. He returned to Southern University and graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Then he permanently relocated to Chicago. In 1976, Lou Chestnut became a member of the Chicago Executive Golf Club, where he won many Club Championships playing on golf courses all across the country. He also worked with their Junior and Youth Golf Program. Lou was the first member to be awarded the Green Championship Jacket by the Chicago Executive Golf Club. In 1983, Lou enrolled in the Custom Golf Training School in Austin, TX to learn modern methods of Golf Repair Management. Lou also owned and operated “Mr. Lou’s Golf Workshop” in Chicago. He served for many years as a golfing instructor. He was the first African-American to become a member of the Golf Collector’s Society, and he was a pioneer and mentor to many golfing enthusiasts. His hobbies included collecting golf memorabilia and golfing antiques. On April 28, 1995, Lou Chestnut was inducted into the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame of Golf in Baton Rouge, LA. He remained active in golf and participated as a vendor in the annual O’Hare Golf Show in Rosemont, IL, up until his recent illness. Mr. Chestnut was born in Minter, AL and grew up in Pensacola, FL. He worked for 27 years as a Social Service Supervision Counselor with the Circuit Court of Cook County until his retirement in 1997. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Dolores; and two daughters, Lisa Chestnut of Houston, TX and Monica Chestnut. Visitation Saturday 10 a.m. until time of Service 11 a.m. at Saint John Church-Baptist, 4821 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Repast immediately following burial at St. John Church-Baptist, Estelle Howard Room. Viewing Thursday, Aug. 26, 12 noon to 8 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 27, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Barker’s Mortuary, 9900 S. Throop, Chicago.
