“The Guam Society was established to encourage camaraderie among those who hold Guam and its culture dear to their hearts…. and to demonstrate patriotism for their Island and the USA.”

Established in 1952, the Guam Territorial Society later became the Guam Society of America, Inc.  Initially, it was focused on representing Guam in the annual Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival as part of the National Conference of State Societies, but it became more broadly based as the military brought a core group of Chamorro families together during the early 1960’s.

In a similar way that the other societies in the NCSS allowed members from the various states who were in the Washington, D.C. metro area, to get together and celebrate their respective states; the Guam Society provided people from Guam in the area who were away from the island they so loved and missed, the opportunity to celebrate their island home and culture and establish a warm and familiar extension of island life and culture here in the Nation’s Capital.

Leave it to the likes of servicemen, civil servants and their families including the Bamba, Benavente, Calvo, Cruz, Flores, Griffith, Lizama, Lupola, Perez, Reyes, Salas, Sanchez, Santos, Schroeder,  Sgambelluri, Shellenberger, Shimizu, Siguenza, Taitano, Torres, and Uson families, and over several decades, numerous others (including the Salas, Yanger, Quichocho, Pablo, Dumanal, Sanchez, Duenas, Blas, Camit, and Mantanona) who moved to the Washington Metro area and carried on the tradition of those before them, bringing the Guam Society to its current evolution.

Entrenched in the Washington, D.C. metro area, these families took a small Territorial Society to what the Guam Society has now become – a thriving magnet for all who have a connection to Guam as well as a home-away-from-home to many homesick active-duty personnel.

ROBERTO L.G. LIZAMA

His deep love of Chamorro Life and entertaining friends led Roberto (Bob) L.G. Lizama to become a key organizer within the Guam Society. Leading his growing “gangs” of Guamanians/Chamorros, he helped to organize a calendar of events to bring the community together throughout the year.

Annually, they hosted the Memorial Day Picnic, Liberation Day picnic, Labor Day picnic, Chamorro Night, Christmas Party, and many other events.

As time went on, Bob and his wife Bea realized that the Guam Society of America (GSA) could not only provide social events but could also give back to Guam and maybe even raise money for important projects and missions. Perhaps even school scholarships for those in need of financial support!

After some discussion, it was noted that many Chamorros/Guamanians enjoyed the sport of golf and so the idea of a golf tournament was created. Thanks to the women of the Guam Society, an amazing Guam themed “fiesta” was added to the venue for golfers and non-golfers!

In 1999, the Society launched the first annual golf tournament! With the help of society members, 60 excited local participants were privileged to golf at the Andrews Air Force Base golf course.

The tournament was a roaring success, and the word got out.  Chamorros/Guamanians from all over the country wanted to participate in the next one.

From 60 participants in 1999, the tournament grew to a full field of participants in the subsequent years!

In 2000 Roberto “Bob” Lizama passed away. Many in the community were heartbroken, having lost such a selfless, proud and engaging fellow Chamorro.

So positive was the impact of Bob’s efforts within the Guam Society, that in his honor, the tournament was named “The Roberto L.G. Lizama Memorial Golf Classic” in 2001. Without forgetting that this was not only one of the most important fundraisers for the Society, but a possible fundraiser for the organization, a scholarship fund was created and in her honor as the “woman behind the man”, the “Brigida G. Lizama Scholarship Fund” was created. From its inception to today, the Society has provided over $85,000 in scholarships as well as being the major event that supports the financial well-being of the GSA.

BRIGIDA G. LIZAMA

Today the Tournament has become a far-reaching and popular event for those with ties to Guam as well as friends of the island. Thanks to the energy, the pride and teamwork of today’s Guam Society members, the Roberto L.G. Lizama Memorial Golf Classic continues to thrive! 

The tournament is held every Friday before the Labor Day holiday.  It is a fundraising tournament that allows for a day of fun for all golfers from beginners to seasoned regular golfers.  It is a Captains / Best Ball tournament with competition holes and most importantly, an island fiesta themed meal at the end of the tournament.   The latter is the main draw for returning golfers each year.