Homegoing Service for Mr. Douglas Grier

https://boxcast.tv/view/homegoing-celebration-for-mr-douglas-grier-919249

If the above URL does not work try copying and pasting it into your browser

Obituary

Mr. Douglas Gregory Grier, 64 of Charlotte, passed away on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Advent Health in Orlando, Florida.  He was born on September 22, 1956, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was educated in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System, where his academic ability and sports prowess manifested themselves early.  In elementary school, he earned awards for being on the Music Honor Roll and received a Player of the Game Award for baseball.  Golf, however, became his passion.

At West Mecklenburg High School, his participation in golf earned Greg letters and Monogram Awards for excellence in the sport.  When he completed high school, the All-American Collegiate Golf Foundation selected him to receive the Jackie Robinson Scholarship, its first scholarship created for Black students who demonstrated excellence in academics and athletics.  On August 21, 1974, Greg traveled to New York to the awards dinner to receive that scholarship.  It was presented to him by golf legend Lee Elder.

Subsequently, Greg enrolled in South Carolina State College (now University), where he joined the Bulldogs golf team and quickly earned a reputation as a outstanding player.  Retired Sports Information Director and Sports Historian Bill Hamilton of South Carolina State described Greg as "one of the top golfers at SC State during his student days."  He noted that Greg earned numerous recognitions during his four years there.  With honor grades as a business administrator major, he received the Most Outstanding Golfer award and MVP honors, was named to the MEAC All-Tournament squad in 1975, was the team's top performer in 1977 as captain, was a standout performer for the Bulldogs as a senior in 1978, and was the medalist, or top finisher, in six tournaments.

Because of its outstanding record, which Greg helped to establish, the golf team made two historic trips to Scotland, the birthplace of golf.  The first trip occurred in 1974 and included participation in the St. Andrews International Invitational played at the legendary Old Course at St. Andrews and at Carnoustie.  In 1977, the team returned to Scotland for the St. Andrews International Team Championship.

Director Hamilton indicated further that Greg helped the golf win several first-place finishes and top-five  showings.  Because of his stellar achievements, he was nominated, in 2017, for the South Carolina State University Hall of Fame and is a candidate for the 2021 MEAC 50th Anniversary All-Time Golf Team.

Greg was a professional golfer for almost 35 years.  In 1982, he won the 6 Cities Open at Cleveland, Ohio, and the Waterloo Open at Waterloo, Iowa.  That same year, Alvin Grier and he, both of Charlotte, were top medalists in the North Carolina District Public Links Golf Tournament held at the Cedarwood Country Club.  Their outstanding performances in the tournament earned them invitations to participate in the National Public Links Golf Tournament at Indianapolis.  Greg won a medal for the sudden-death match.  In 1983, he won the Deltona Open in Florida.  During his career, he also recorded several other high finishes.

Greg was sponsored by McGregor Golf Company and was on its staff as a playing professional.  His other sponsors were Kango Hats and Golf Pride Grips.  With his unique personal qualities and his serious yet fun-loving demeanor, Greg as admired and loved by his family, his friends, and his fans.  He was a gifted golfer, a careful and patient listener, a wise counselor, a caring straight-talker, and a mathematics guru, who ran a successful meat business.

Always a sharp dresser, Greg considered himself a fine singer, and, to humor him, listeners would patiently tolerate special renditions of current hits and favorite tunes performed by "Cool Doug," his college nickname.  Strong in his convictions, always wanting the best for his family, and fiercely protective of his sisters, Greg will be cherished and missed for the joy he brought to many, especially his family.  He will be missed also by church members at The Life Center Church, Eatonville, Florida, where he was a long-standing member.

He was predeceased by his mother, Ethel Grier, and his father, Robert Massey.  He is survived by his sisters, Rhonda Moore (Otis Moore) and Wanda Perkins (Attorney Bruce Perkins);  his nephews, Brian Perkins, Gregory Moore, and Bruce Perkins, Jr.; his great-nieces, Kyla Moore and Kinsley Lee; his aunt, Sarah "Snook" Harris (Freddie Harris); his uncle, John Robert Caldwell; his special loving friend, Deborah McLendon; and a host of cousins and friends.