Headline: Jim Gaquin to Receive the MGA's Frank H. Sellman Distinguished Service Award at the 2009 Salute to Champions Dinner
For Immediate Release: December 9, 2009
Norton, MA — This year's MGA Salute to Champions Dinner will be made even more special. As part of the evening's festivities, one of our valued MGA Family members - Jim Gaquin – will receive the Frank H. Sellman Distinguished Service Award.
Photo Caption: Jim Gaquin (center) with 2009 Cape Cod Open Champions Kyle Gallo and David Ake.
This honor was established in 1988 in order to recognize individuals who have exhibited exemplary service to the game of golf during the course of their careers. The award was named in honor of Frank H. Sellman, a long time member of Brae Burn Country Club who served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the MGA from 1961 to 1969.
Although it is hard to put in words the impact that Mr. Gaquin has made on the golf community – both locally and nationally – here are just a few highlights from his career.
Mr. Gaquin has served as an MGA Rules Official for many years. He is the former press secretary and later tournament director for what was the PGA Tour back in the 1950s. He, along with his wife Lois, currently serves as director of the Cape Cod Open and Cape Cod Senior Open.
Last year, Mr. Gaquin, who was a reporter for the Waltham News Tribune from 1948 to 1953, was inducted into the Newton High/Newton North High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He also, in 1979, received the Golf Writers Association of America’s William Richardson Award, which is presented annually to "a person who has consistently made an outstanding contribution to golf". In 2008, he received the Ouimet Fund’s Sixth Annual "Honorary Alumnus Award" as a result of his outstanding service in support of the Ouimet Fund.
Mr. Gaquin will take his place alongside other impressive honorees which include:
1988 - Leon Bishop
1989 - Andrew C. Bailey
1990 - Charles M. Pyle, Jr.
1991 - Roger Barry
1992 - John Arnold
1994 - Harry B. McCracken, Jr.
1995 - John P. English
1996 - William Flynn
1998 - George M. Cohen
1999 - Richard A. Crosby
2003 - Richard D. Haskell
2006 - William C. Foley
2009 - James F. Gaquin, Jr.
Congratulations to Mr. Gaquin... and thank you for your tireless service to the game of golf.