Dick Horton Selected as 2010 IAGA Distinguished Service Award Recipient
STUDIO CITY, California (September 3, 2010) – Dick Horton, former executive director of the Tennessee Golf Association (TGA), has been selected as the 2010 International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) Distinguished Service Award recipient. Growing up in Hamilton, New York, Horton graduated cum laude from Wake Forest University in 1971. In 1974 Horton took the role of executive director at the TGA where in 35 years he would not only make an impact on golf in Tennessee but on golf in the United States as well.
Robert Markionni, IAGA President, had this to say about Horton's award, “Dick Horton is a very worthy recipient of the IAGA Distinguished Service Award because he exemplifies what the award is all about – to promote and conserve the best interests and the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. Dick has been in golf administration for more than 35 years and has touched the game at the regional and national levels. He was instrumental in the development of Golf House Tennessee, established the Tennessee Golf Foundation, is a past president of the IAGA, and has served on the Golf 20/20 Steering Committee. These are just a few of Dick's accomplishments and we are very proud to recognize his achievements with the presentation of the award.”
Horton's other accomplishments include overseeing the growth of the Tennessee PGA membership from 150 to 500+ members and apprentices, initiating a regional Special Olympic Invitational that has now become a national championship run by the PGA of America, and establishing the Tennessee PGA Junior Golf Academy and 1500 member TGA Junior Tour. Since 1991 Horton has presided over the Tennessee Golf Foundation as President. Additionally, Horton oversaw the merger of the TGA and Women's TGA in 2000 and served on the board of directors of the Arnold Palmer Golf Company. He has also served as First Chairman of the PGA Executive Director's organization, and is a member of the United States Golf Association Regional Affairs Committee and the Vince Gill Pro-Celebrity Advisory Board. Horton was the recipient of the USGA Ike Grainger Award and the 1994 Tennessee Turfgrass Association Professional of the Year. Serving as IAGA President in 1991, Horton continues to be an active member of the IAGA.
“The DSA is a career highlight, especially to be included in the company of past winner's who were my mentors. Golf administration is a team game, and I have had a wonderful cast to work with since 1973”, noted Horton.
Horton, the 17th recipient of the IAGA Distinguished Service Award, will be honored at an awards dinner on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells, California.
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