John Cook, Roger Kelly and Paul Runyan were inducted into the Southern California Golf Association Hall of Fame on Oct. 22 in a ceremony at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City.
Cook is an 11-time PGA Tour winner who grew up in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. playing SCGA and California Golf Association events. With his family and close friends present, an emotional Cook spoke to the audience of nearly 300.
“This is incredibly special,” said Cook. “My mentor and close friend Ken Venturi once told his dad he was really good at golf. His dad replied, ‘When you’re good at something, tell people. But if you’re really good at something, they’ll tell you.’ I want to thank the SCGA for telling me I am a really good player.”
Joining Cook in the 2013 class was Kelly, one of the most powerful forces in the history of Southern California amateur golf and a longtime member of Lakeside GC. From 1936 to 1938, Kelly won the Los Angeles City Amateur, the SCGA Amateur Championship and claimed two California Amateur Championships. He also shot a 142 at the 1937 U.S. Amateur, breaking a record previously held by the great Bobby Jones. He passed away in 2004.
“You can rattle off his career accomplishments, but they tell you little about the man,” said former USGA President and current SCGA Youth on Course President Jim Vernon during Kelly’s induction speech. “He was such a respectable and honorable person, but one who also had an astonishing drive to win.”
Runyan, nicknamed “Little Poison” due to his slender 5’7” 125-pound frame, and because he often bested those who out drove him with his superb putting and chipping, was the third inductee in the Hall of Fame class. After a dominant career on the PGA Tour, which included 28 wins, Runyan went on to be one of the most influential instructors in the game’s history. He taught at Southland staples Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena as well as La Jolla Country Club in San Diego.
Former PGA President Pat Reilly inducted Runyan, and spoke of his integrity and sportsmanship in addition to his golf accolades. “Paul believed it was nice to be important, but far more important to be nice,” said Reilly. “A quote that embodies vintage Paul Runyan has to be ‘it’s not what you can do for me, but what I can do for you.’”
Tijeras Creek event raises funds for First Tee of Orange
The First Tee of Orange County announced that a fundraising golf tournament held Sept. 30 at Tijeras Creek Golf Club was a major success for the program.
“We can’t thank Rick Convertini and his team at the Tijeras Creek Golf Club enough,” First Tee of Orange County President Tim Casey said. “They put together a first class event that included a full field of golfers, volunteers, silent auction items, great food and fun. Their efforts raised a significant amount of money which will enable us to deliver the First Tee program to a growing number of Orange County youth.”
The First Tee of Orange County impacts the young people in the Orange County community through its life skills education and character training. Each of these participants will be introduced to the lifelong sport of golf while learning skills such as goal-setting, managing emotions and resolving conflicts. The program emphasizes Nine Core Values™ (confidence, responsibility, respect, honesty, judgment, perseverance, sportsmanship, integrity, and courtesy) at every level of instruction.
Placentia PONY Baseball hosts tournament Jan. 31 to raise funds for Champions
Placentia PONY Baseball hosts a golf tournament fundraiser on Friday, Jan.
31, 2014 at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda. Net proceeds raised will help create a
Champions League for special needs children and a player scholarship fund.
The event includes fresh food and cold drinks on the course provided by Philly’s Best, Lucille’s, The Meat House and Bourbon Street. Other sponsors include DMA Insurance, PressTime Printing, Harrold Golf, Monkey Sports, Advantage Flag League and California Golf.
Following play, there will be a helicopter ball drop where the winner will receive up to $2,500 cash. A one-hour junior golf clinic will also be conducted. Tournament cost is $145 per person; the junior golf clinic cost is $20 and includes dinner. To register or for more information, visit Placentia PONY Baseball’s website at www.placentiapony.com or contact Dito Armento at (714) 343-1142.
NCPGA recognizes Dowd with Strausbaugh Award
The Northern California Section of the PGA is pleased to announce that Mike Dowd, PGA Head Golf Professional at Oakdale Golf & Country Club in Oakdale, Calif., is the recipient of the 2013 NCPGA Bill Strausbaugh Award. Dowd earned the honor for his outstanding mentoring of PGA Professionals.
Dowd was the NCPGA Board of Directors Apprentice Mentor in his first term and hosted Apprentice Peer Clusters for numerous apprentices who have gone on to achieve membership, personally mentoring three of them. Dowd is currently serving his second three-year term on the NCPGA Board of Directors and has chaired the Public Relations & Communications Committee for the past five years. In these leadership roles, he has been involved in the organization and support of numerous events and initiatives such as the NCGA Membership Drive and Branding Campaign, the Player & Teacher Forum, and The Professional National Championship.
Dowd is among 19 recipients of the NCPGA’s 2013 Annual Section Awards. Section awards are given to PGA Professionals and industry leaders who have excelled in the game and business of golf. The NCPGA will recognize its 2013 Annual Section Award winners on Sunday, December 8 at the NCPGA Special Awards Ceremony & President’s Dinner at Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill, Calif.
