MAKING AN IMPACT
Rhode Island's Top-20 Most Influential Figures in Golf
By TOM GORMAN
Golf is a vibrant industry in Rhode Island with a cherished history of people, places and events, and in its wake is a multi million-dollar trail of revenue.
Offering 58 varieties of public and private playing fields, the Ocean State features seven courses that have celebrated a century of golf. In 1895, Newport Country Club hosted the first US Open Championship and first US Amateur.
So, to the present day, who are the people who influence the Rhode Island golf scene? Where are they and how did they come into power and influence in a flourishing sport that has 57 million participants worldwide?
We asked these questions and more and, with a little help from some experts in the field, we came up with a list of the 20 most influential and powerful golf figures in Rhode Island. In this comprehensive review, we discovered a sizzling array of talent. The list includes three professional tour golfers, three entrepreneurial women, one CEO and 13 highly successful and skilled individuals involved in making a golf better in Rhode Island.
Our selection for the No. 1 most influential person in the golf industry in the Ocean State was a fairly easy decision. It's Brad Faxon, Barrington-native who learned the game at R.I. Country Club and later went on to earn All-American honors at Furman and who has on his resume 23 years as a member of the PGA Tour, which is one of the most exclusive and sought after associations in the world.
Faxon's sphere of influence extends beyond Ocean State borders. In addition to the Billy Andrade/Brad Faxon Charities for Children, Inc., which has donated more than $5 million to youngsters in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, he has helped raise funds for many noteworthy New England-based charities. Over the past two decades Faxon has helped the state carve out a surprising, yet respected reputation as the home to an impressive list of tour caliber players.
Faxon, 44, earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from Furman in 1983 and started his career as a professional golfer in 1984. His is a success story driven by a superb work ethic. "Golf is a game that appeals to all ages. The game itself brings out the best in people," said Faxon over Thanksgiving weekend when he was recuperating from surgery on his right knee that will keep him out of action until April and a date at the 2006 Masters. "It's a real honor to be recognized and I'm especially especially thrilled with earning the Payne Stewart Award. I was on the PGA Tour Policy Board when Payne passed away in 1999. At the time we wanted the message to other Tour players to be that the next generation of players should want to win this award, not just hope to win it. They should pursue it every day they go to the course by acting as a gentlemen and upholding the traditions and integrity of the game. I was a little surprised when PGA Tour Commission Tim Finchem called, but I felt as if I had won a major."
Faxon's love of the game began in a golf shop in Barrington at a young age - and a love of the game is what our top 20 has in common. The list.
- BRAD FAXON - The 44-year old PGA Tour player epitomizes what is good about the game, both on and off the course. He has won eight times in his 23 years on Tour and was recently named the 2005 recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, an award bestowed upon an individual to commemorate good sportsmanship and a commitment to the best interest of the game. Faxon's favorite charity is the Billy Andrade/Brad Faxon Charities for Children and combined with the CVS Charities has raised more than $10 million for children of all ages. He is the undisputed go-to guy for big-time golf related projects in Rhode Island.
2.) TOM RYAN - He is the CEO of CVS and has considerable clout in the golf community in Rhode Island as well as across the nation. CVS is a 40-year old company based in Woonsocket with over 100,000 employees and sales exceeding $30 billion annually. CVS has 5,000 stores in 30 states. Ryan is a home-town player, has a passion for the game, holds a single digit handicap and counts Augusta National as one of the many clubs he holds membership. It was Ryan who was the driving force in starting the CVS Charity Classic that has raised more than $7 million for charity and given Rhode Islanders a chance to see some of the best players play at Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington.
3.) JOE SPRAGUE, JR. - The Executive Director of the Rhode Island Golf Association is a clear choice to be near the top of our list. RIGA has been in business since 1902 and Sprague has been at the helm for eight years. He does a commendable job addressing the needs and wants and wishes of its 13,000 RIGA members. Sprague is the driving force promoting the best interest of golf in the Ocean State and RIGA member clubs total 46. He also oversees 12 major tournaments throughout the season. A graduate of Providence College, he did some caddying on the PGA Tour before coming back to Rhode Island and assisting his father at the RIGA.
4.) BILLY ANDRADE - The 41-year old Bristol native has lived a charmed golf life on the course and off. After a much-ballyhooed amateur career, Andrade attended Wake Forest on an Arnold Palmer golf scholarship and graduated in 1987. His career in professional golf is impressive, winning four times and earning over $10 million, placing him No. 54 on the all-time earnings list. In 1991 he co founded the Billy Andrade/Brad Faxon Charity for Children, which has donated over $5 million to children's programs in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. He is also co-host of the CVS Charity Classic. Now living in Atlanta, he summers in Rhode Island with his family. He and Brad Faxon are the ones that garner the incredible fields for the CVS tournament.
5.) PAUL KENYON - The prominent sports writer for the Providence Journal for 28 years and is the main golf writer. In his understated way he wields influence, and is highly respected, although his golf game leaves much to be desired. Kenyon is Mr. Golf in Rhode Island. His opinions and knowledge of golf, and not just about the Ocean State, is extraordinary. He is highly regarded by his readers and peers. He also serves on the Burke Scholarship and RIGA Hall of Fame committees.
6.) DANA QUIGLEY - Over the past decade this 58-year old has literally lived the ultimate rags-to-riches lifestyle. He's always had game and was the first Rhode Island-native to reach the PGA Tour in 1978, although his stay was a brief four-year stint. As a club pro at Crestwood CC for many years in the 80s and 90s, he dominated the New England club pro circuit and at age 50 has been living every golfer's dream earning millions on the Senior PGA Tour. For competing in 278 consecutive Champions Tour events Quigley earned the nickname "Ironman" and the former Rhode Island CC caddy has 10 Tour victories and ranks 15th on the all-time money list with almost $13 million earned. A nice hometown story indeed!
7.) DENNY GLASS - He is the chairman of the Northeast Amateur, which annually fields the best amateur players in the world by invitation only to Wannamoisett CC in Rumford. The 45th edition will commence June 22 - 25, 2006. Glass, the consummate gentleman, is a self-made millionaire via the printing business and has an impeccable reputation.
8.) DAVE ADAMONIS, JR. – Dave took over as executive director of the U.S. Challenge Cup from his father (Dave Sr.) ten years ago. This junior golf program is one of the most successful in the country. They run over 30 tournaments a year and this year have over 600 youngsters participating. Graduates of the program include Tour players Brett Quigley and Patrick Sheehan; Nationwide Players Brad Adamonis, Mike Capone and Jason Caron and many others who have earned scholarships and others who have gone on to successful careers in golf. Dave Sr. is now the head golf coach at Johnson and Wales in Miami and has drawn many of the Challenge Cup players to his NAIA number one rated golf program.
9.) MATTHEW ADAMS - He is the among the young and the talented crop of golf baby boomers just emerging into his prime years on the Rhode Island golf scene. The titles are many and include: Chair of the Adams Cup of Newport, president and general manager of Newport National GC, reporter and analyst for The Golf Channel, best selling author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" and "Fairways of Life" and Board member of the Rhode Island Sports Council.
10.) ED MAURO - He deserves kudos galore for making Buttonhole Golf & Learning Center the pride and joy of the Ocean State that it is today. With a combination of vision and hard work, Mauro, now in his early 70s, has made a difference in a positive way for thousands of kids who may someday set goals that include a career in golf set by trailblazers Quigley, Andrade and Faxon. Mauro is a businessman and former RI amateur champion with an inspiring mission statement: "Our mission is our youth, the vehicle is the game, and our purpose is their individual success."
11.) TRUDY DUFAULT - She is the cofounder and still serves as the executive director of the Ocean State Women's Golf Association. In 1995, with Nathalie Price, she made history by establishing the OSWGA, which offered competitive golf among women from both the private and public sectors. Overcoming some early obstacles, Dufault's drive and passion helped the association achieved overwhelming success. This year 10 major tournaments were on the schedule and OSWGA also provides a junior program and scholarship fund for deserving young lady golfers. The Ocean State needs more results-driven women like her.
12.) TOM DRENNEN - He is the golf coach at the University of Rhode Island whose sphere of influence extends far beyond the Rhode Island landscape. When Drennen speaks, golf people listen, especially when you look at his phenomenally successful track record. He has coached, recruited, tutored, inspired, and his savvy style brings out the best in people. His role as president of the Golf Coaches Association of America is one the many impressive titles on his golf resume.
13.) ROBERT WARD - He is the director of rules and tournaments for the RIGA, and a mover and shaker so let us count the ways. First, he's the planner, scheduler and coordinator of the 12 major tournaments. He's the Internet information go-to guy. He's also the rules official at every event as well as a scoring authority and any other unexpected general assignment duties that may arise. This Rhode Island College graduate has often been called him the backbone of the RIGA.
14.) JULIE GREENE - She is Rhode Island golf's first lady and there is nothing to dispute that fact when you take a peak at her resume, which spans 60 years. She is an 11-time state women's champion, a RIGA Hall of Famer, a USGA official and has given back to the game in numerous capacities. The Barrington resident is a former associate with the Trans-National Golf Association and the Women's Eastern Golf Association. Greene has also been instrumental in the success of the RIWGA's junior golf program.
15.) MIKE HARBOUR - He is a top-notch, certified, card-carrying golf guru. Harbour, not to be confused with Leadbetter, can be found daily at Buttonhole and his clientele include talented luminaries such as Anna Grzebien, Patrick Sheehan, George Pirie and Mike Soucy, the last two state amateur champs. There's a waiting list to see Harbour but it's money well spent for the serious golfer.
16.) PAUL QUIGLEY - He has won 25 RIGA events, more than anyone in history, which easily earns him enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. At 62, Dana's older brother, is a guru to many of Ocean State's best young players. He is the guy all the good players ask for help and he is always ready, willing and able to provide good advice. His son, Brett, has grooved his game to PGA Tour level, which never happens by accident, only by sharpening of lifelong skills and mental sharpness from a father that knows best. Retired, he now caddies often for his son and brother.
17.) PATRICIA KEOUGH - She is the president of the Rhode Island Women's Golf Association (RIWGA), which services 20 private clubs with individual annual dues of $60. The 2005 schedule shows upwards of 25 events while more of the same is featured in 2006. A successful businesswoman, Keough’s leadership skills and kind and gentle hand have helped the RIWGA prosper.
18.) BARCLAY DOUGLAS - He is a power golf broker with an unmatched record of accomplishment. First, Douglas was a major factor enabling the USGA to chose Newport CC for the 2006 US Women's Open Championship scheduled June 29 - July 2, 2006, just as he was when Newport hosted the US Amateur when Tiger Woods won in 1995. Douglas, president of Newport CC is the contact person for the USGA and we hope that connection continues for many more years so that the result will be to bring the greatest players in the game today to the Ocean State.
19.) MAURY DAVITT - He is the executive director of the John P. Burke Memorial Fund, which provides financial assistance to qualified college bound students who have worked in golf. Established in 1946, the fund has generated over $2 million and 100 students received scholarships in 2005. The Burke Fund was initially for caddies, but Davitt has been instrumental in keeping the fund relevant with the decrease in caddies. Today anyone who has worked at a golf club for three years is eligible for scholarship conseration. Davitt is a Burke Scholar, and under his stewardship the future of the fund is secure and solid.
20.) J. BRIAN O'NEILL - He is major factor in the relatively unique and upscale world of golf in Rhode Island. Why? Because he owns two of the most important, prestigious and prime golf properties in northeast corridor of the United States: Carnegie Abbey and Newport National. He is from Philadelphia, but his imprint on Rhode Island golf continues to grow very quickly.
Tom Gorman, a member of the Golf Writer's Association of America, is a Boston-based freelance golf writer.
Editor’s Note: There were many more people who could have and maybe should have been on this top 20 list. It should make for some good conversation, though.