ONTARIO, CA – The Southern California PGA (SCPGA) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ron O’Connor, PGA, a beloved and respected golf professional whose career with the SCPGA spanned more than 50 years.
Ron O’Connor was elected to PGA of America membership in 1969 and became a cornerstone of the Southern California golf community. Over the course of his half-century of service, he made a profound impact at every level of the game — from club professional and mentor to administrator and leader.
He served the Section Office in several key leadership roles, including nine years as Executive Director beginning in 1979, before transitioning to Tournament Director, a position he held until his retirement in 2001. His commitment to the game extended well beyond his formal duties, as he continued to serve on the rules committee until 2022, where he was seen volunteering at countless tournaments as a rules official.
During his tenure, Ron’s leadership and service were recognized with numerous honors, including:
Awards & Honors
1981: SCPGA Presidents Award
1983: Tom Addis III PGA Professional Development Award
1984: SCPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award
1987: SCPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award
1991: Honorary Life Member
1991: Horton Smith Award
1993: Inducted into SoCal Golf Hall of Fame
1996: Tom Addis III PGA Professional Development Award
2007: SCPGA Golf Professional of the Year
2015: Junior Golf Hall of Fame
He is remembered not only for his professional accomplishments but also for his spirit of service and his generosity of time and knowledge.
A memorial service will be held at The Victoria Club in Riverside on March 25 at 11:30 a.m. CLICK HERE to RSVP for the memorial service.
In his honor, the SCPGA has established a Ron O’Connor Memorial Scholarship Fund to help those in need to play the game we love. Through this scholarship, Ron-O’s legacy will continue to shape lives, open doors, and inspire future leaders in our game. We invite you to join us in celebrating his remarkable life and impact by making a contribution to the Ron O’Connor Scholarship today.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA
The Southern California Section was established in 1924 and today is comprised of nearly 1,900 golf Professionals working at over 500 facilities within the Section. The mission of the Southern California Section (SCPGA) mirrors the purpose of the PGA of America: To promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry. For more information on the Southern California PGA, visit scpga.com, follow @scpga on Twitter, Instagram, and find us on Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Bryce Seiver, Communications & Marketing Director | Southern California PGA
951-331-4714 bseiver@pgahq.com
Danny Cross, Communications & Digital Content Director | Southern California PGA
951-331-4714 dcross@pgahq.com
