PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Fred S. Ridley of Tampa, Fla., who recently concluded his term as the 58th President of The United States Golf Association, has been named recipient of the 2006 PGA Distinguished Service Award, the highest annual individual honor bestowed by The PGA of America.
Ridley, 53, will be honored Aug. 16, in a ceremony in conjunction with the 88th PGA Championship, Aug. 17-20, at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club. Details of the ceremony will be released at a later date.
A native of Lakeland, Fla., Ridley enjoyed a distinguished career in amateur golf, capturing the 1975 U.S. Amateur Championship and is the last U.S. Amateur Champion to have never turned professional.
Among Ridley’s duties with the USGA was serving from 2000 to 2003, as chairman of the Championship Committee, the group responsible for the conduct of all USGA competitions. He also has chaired the Amateur Status and Conduct and the International Team Selection Committees.
"Fred Ridley’s contributions to the administration of golf have had a direct impact on the millions of amateur players throughout this country that enjoy this game," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "His leadership also has enabled an even stronger bond to develop between the USGA and The PGA of America which has resulted in enhancing our respective programs that drive participation in golf. We are most proud to present Fred Ridley with the PGA Distinguished Service Award."
Ridley has competed in 15 USGA championships, including 10 U.S. Amateurs. He earned a selection to the 1976 USA World Amateur Team that competed in Portugal and the 1977 U.S. Walker Cup Team. He also was named the non-playing captain of the U.S. Walker Cup Team in 1987 and 1989.
"On behalf of our USGA committees, staff, and thousands of volunteers around the country who care so much about the game, I am humbled to receive this prestigious award," said Ridley. "It’s even more pleasing when I reflect on those individuals who have been honored in the past and have contributed so much to the game of golf."
Ridley served on the USGA Executive Committee from 1994 to 2005. He was elected treasurer in 1998-99, and vice president from 2000-2003, before his term as president from 2004 to this year.
An attorney, Ridley is a partner in the Tampa, Fla., office of Foley & Lardner, an international law firm headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis. He is the second Foley & Lardner partner to serve as USGA president, following the late Lynford Lardner, who held that position from 1972 to 1973.
Ridley is a 1974 graduate in business and marketing of the University of Florida, where he was a three-time letterman for a Gators’ golf team that also featured future Tour professionals Andy Bean, Gary Koch and Andy North. In 1977, Ridley graduated from the Stetson University College of Law.
He began his professional career as assistant to the general counsel for International Management Group (IMG) in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1977 to 1980, before moving back to Florida to begin practicing law.
Ridley was a member of the winning side in the 1977 Walker Cup at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, where he defeated Sandy Lyle twice in singles play. In 1987 and 1989, Fred was afforded the highest honor for an amateur golfer, when he served as non-playing captain of the USA Walker Cup Team.
Ridley has competed in three Masters Tournaments and a U.S. Open, where he was paired with Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. He owns a career-low round of 63.
Ridley and his wife, Betsy, have three daughters: Maggie, 24, Libby, 21, and Sydney, 18.
The PGA Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1988, honors outstanding Americans who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.
PGA Distinguished Service Award recipients:
1988 Herb Graffis 1998 Paul Runyan
1989 Bob Hope 1999 Bill Dickey
1990 No recipient 2000 Jack Nicklaus
1991 The Hon. Gerald Ford 2001 Mark McCormack
1992 Gene Sarazen 2002 Tim Finchem
1993 Byron Nelson 2003 Vince Gill
1994 Arnold Palmer 2004 Pete Dye
1995 Patty Berg 2005 Wally Uihlein
1996 Frank Chirkinian 2006 Fred Ridley
1997 The Hon. George H.W. Bush
The PGA Championship is one of the premier golf events conducted by The PGA of America. Others include the Ryder Cup, the Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Since 1916, golf’s best professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship’s coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions include Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead and Walter Hagen.
Tickets for the 88th PGA Championship can be purchased by visiting www.pga2006.com, or by calling 1-800-PGA-Golf.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Contact:
Julius Mason
561/624-8444
jmason@pgahq.com
