Stafford, Va. – The MAPGA Board of Directors and Awards Committee is proud to announce the 2013 Hall of Fame class of Woody Fitzhugh, PGA (Woody’s Range) and the late George Diffenbaugh, PGA (Kenwood Country Club). They will be honored on March 9, 2013 at The Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center.
Woody Fitzhugh, PGA
A native of Northern Virginia, Woody Fitzhugh grew up in McLean, Va. He attended Langley High School where he was on the wrestling, baseball and basketball teams. Following High School, Fitzhugh went on to receive a B.S. in Psychology from Hampden-Sydney College and that is where he found a new love for golf. Along with a successful playing career and golf business career, Fitzhugh also made a concerted effort to help those in need.
As a competitive golfer, Fitzhugh established a very impressive tournament record within the Mid-Atlantic Region. He is a four-time MAPGA Player of the Year winner (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987), a three-time State Open of Virginia Champion (1984, 1986, 1988), a two-time MAPGA Section Professional Champion (1981, 1985), an MAPGA Head Professional Champion (1988), an MAPGA Team Champion (1987), and a Middle Atlantic Open Champion (1984). In addition to these impressive finishes, Fitzhugh holds 15 course records, has 13 holes-in-one, and has won approximately 75 pro-am events. In the early 1980’s Fitzhugh played on the PGA Tour part time, making eight cuts in 53 events, and also qualified for the 1980 and 1988 PGA Championships.
Fitzhugh established Woody’s Range in 1980 and continues to provide lessons and opportunities for people to enjoy the game of golf. Outside of golf, Fitzhugh founded the Jeremiah House (1996-2006) which was a ministry to provide shelter and support for homeless pregnant women. He has also been a devoted husband for 34 years to his wife Joan and a devoted father to their three daughters Tyler, Leta and Currie.
George Diffenbaugh, PGA
1901-1977. George Diffenbaugh’s life in golf began at Baltimore Country Club in 1917 where he started as a caddie and gradually worked his way up to becoming an Assistant Professional. From there, he ultimately became one of the most well-regarded and well-liked golf professionals in the area.
After leaving Baltimore CC in 1922, Diffenbaugh spent the next 15 years at area golf courses like Clifton Park (Baltimore, Md.), Green Spring Valley Hunt Club (Owings Mills, Md.) and Indian Spring Country Club (formerly in Silver Spring, Md.). He would eventually find his final Head PGA Professional position in 1938 at Kenwood Country Club in Bethesda, Md.
In his 38 year tenure at Kenwood, Diffenbaugh was most noted for his success in creating the future of golf through The Diffenbaugh School for Kids. This junior golf program at Kenwood created some of the most prominent amateur golfers in the area like Bobby Brownell, who won eleven Washington district amateur championships (1936; 1946-1955). In an August 1960 article titled Treat ‘Em Like Adults, Writer Joe Gambatese asked Brownell about Diffenbaugh’s style with junior golfers. “The thing about George is he treats you like an adult – not a kid,” said Brownell. Diffenbaugh’s philosophy with junior golfers was to keep things simple and improve gradually on their current abilities. He states in the article, “You shouldn’t force a kid into golf; he’ll resent it, won’t play well, won’t enjoy it. He’ll probably catch on later.”
With his success at Kenwood, Diffenbaugh was selected in 1958 by then MAPGA President Max Elbin to chair the newly formed MAPGA Junior Golf Committee. Along with Junior Golf pioneers like Frank Emmet and Lt. Gen. Floyd L. Parks, Diffenbaugh made the National Capital area a Mecca for junior golf.
Organizationally, Diffenbaugh served as President of the MAPGA in 1937 and was honored for his successes as a PGA Professional in 1957 when he was named MAPGA Professional of the Year. Furthermore, and of considerable importance, Diffenbaugh, along with Al Houghton, successfully upgraded the purse and status of the MAPGA Section Championship starting in 1937. They changed the format to a 72-hole stroke play event and the number of players increased. In fact, for the first time, professionals from Richmond, Hot Springs, Charlottesville and the Norfolk area entered including players like Bobby Cruickshank, Nelson Long, Errie Ball and Jack Isaacs.
About the MAPGA Hall of Fame
The MAPGA Hall of Fame was established in 1986 to honor Section PGA members and others who have made outstanding contributions to the Section and to the game of golf. The MAPGA’s Special Awards Committee, based on nominations received from the membership, selects the inductee(s) annually.
About the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America
The Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA (MAPGA), located in Stafford, Virginia, is one of 41 Sections of The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA), headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. As a part of The PGA since 1925, the MAPGA consists of over 1,100 members and apprentices in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and small portions of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Together, the MAPGA golf professionals, volunteers and staff support the mission of The PGA to promote enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to the game’s growth by providing services to PGA Professionals and the golf industry.
Contact:
Stephanie Jennings, PGA
sjennings@pgahq.com
(540) 720-7420 ext. 116
