Headline: A Moment of Silence for a True Golf Pioneer — Former MGA Executive Director Richard D. Haskell Passes Away at the Age of 84
For Immediate Release: July 12, 2010
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Richard D. Haskell, who passed away at the age of 84 on July 11, was the fourth executive director in MGA history. |
Norton, MA — The golfing community lost one of its pioneers on Sunday when Richard D. Haskell, the former Executive Director of the Massachusetts Golf Association, passed away at the age of 84.
Haskell, who served the MGA for 30 years before retiring in 1997, was hands down the top advocate for amateur golf in Massachusetts during his years serving as head of the 501©3 organization.
Among his many contributions, Haskell helped the organization expand from 172 to 318 Member Clubs, introduced the MGA/GHIN computerized handicap system (one of the first two states to adopt it) and USGA slope system to Massachusetts, created the MGA Player of the Year system (which has since been named in his honor) and ushered in the introduction of the nationally-recognized MassGolfer™ magazine.
He also valiantly led the fight for local tax relief for golf facilities and served on numerous United States Golf Association committees, all the while working hard to preserve and promote amateur golf here in the Bay State.
Following his retirement in 1997 — he was only the fourth executive director in the MGA's history — Haskell continued to make his mark locally. He was the lead figure in the development of the MGA's nationally-acclaimed Centennial book — "A Commonwealth of Golfers". And just this past year, Haskell, a long-time member of The Country Club, and a team of dedicated writers were recognized by the USGA for their work on "The Story of Golf at The Country Club". The literary tribute to golf at the Brookline layout was awarded the USGA's 2009 Herbert Warren Wind Book Award, the association's highest literary honor.
"When I first entered this business nearly 20 years ago, Mr. Haskell, along with a few others around the country, were considered the deans of golf administration," said Joe Sprague, the current MGA Executive Director. "He was one of the key people who helped to professionalize the business of state and regional golf associations."
Beyond Massachusetts, he was deeply involved in the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA), serving as president in 1981-82 and receiving its Distinguished Service Award in 2000. The IAGA brings together the professional administrators of 145 state, regional and national golf associations which cultivate golf worldwide.
He also – over the course of his career – was honored with the Silver Tee Award from the Massachusetts Golf Writers Association, the Issac B. Grainger Award from the USGA, the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund Distinguished Service Award and – of course – the MGA's Frank H. Sellman Distinguished Service Award. Prior to his work in the golf industry, Haskell was a 19-yaer sales executive for Sports Illustrated.
First and foremost, however, he was a friend of the golfer. Whether it was Francis Ouimet (whom he called "our patron saint") to the many young children he met through the MGA's inner-city junior golf program, Haskell always wore a smile.
"He always had the golfers' interests at heart and that has shown through over the years and has helped the MGA become one of the best associations in the country," said Frank Vana, Jr., recipient of nine Richard D. Haskell MGA Player of the Year awards. "I feel honored and fortunate to have won an award named in his honor. It is something that I will cherish forever."
Perhaps most telling of Haskell's contribution, however, was the joy he took from the game of golf. At the time of his retirement from the MGA in December of 1997, he noted this about Massachusetts golfers: "They don't smile as much as they should."
If there was ever a man who could have brought a smile to all golfers, it would have been Dick Haskell. The golfing community is forever indebted to you.
** Please note that the funeral service will be private. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Vermont Academy, P.O. Box 500, 10 Long Walk, Saxtons River, VT 05154. You are also welcome to sign the guestbook available online at www.gormleyfuneral.com. **