By David A. F. Sweet Starters at golf courses may not play the game themselves, but they must always be aware of the time for those who do. So when a beloved starter passes away, what better gift in his name than a clock? Chuck Schramm – who caddied at Deerpath Golf Course in Lake Forest as a teenager before spending his later years as a starter there – passed away in 2023 at 89. The new Charles M. Schramm Memorial Clock Tower – which was dedicated earlier in November – near the first hole is even bigger than the man himself (he stood 6-foot-6). It features one of his favorite quotes on a plaque: “Hit ‘em straight and have fun out there!”
Chuck Schramm's widow Susan addresses the crowd during the dedication ceremony for the clock Nov. 9.
Greg Baeten, head golf professional at Deerpath, worked closely with Schramm for seven years. He explained the decision to honor him started with input from Bob Skidmore, a fellow starter at Deerpath who talked to Schramm’s family. From there, information was dispatched to friends of Schramm’s who golf at Deerpath, namely Lenny Innocenzi, Steve Fiori, Rich Lindstrom, Ermano Amidei, and Bruce Bertucci. “Those men all had an influential hand in supplying the funding for the clock tower and getting it installed through meetings with the City of Lake Forest and also setting up a GoFundMe page that Rick Piacenza helped run,” Baeten said. He noted Mike Capozzi’s Slider Cup charity event at Deerpath helped the process move even more quickly. “He was a fantastic starter who right up until the end didn’t lose a beat in being able to guide people around the golf course,” Baeten said. “We were always amazed at how he could manage the different levels of customers. He was an amazingly insightful, thoughtful and intuitive man.”
The Deerpath Golf Course has a new look with the installation of the Charles M. Schramm Memorial Clock Tower.
A Highland Park native, Schramm coached many high school teams in his hometown. He was such a strong athlete himself that he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 1950s. At Deerpath and elsewhere, he was known for his warm smile and optimistic attitude, even when he could hardly move as he battled cancer. “He was a literal icon through generations,” Baeten said. “He was such a fantastic influence on staff, former students and guests. He will continue to be greatly missed by all who knew him.”