News Release

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2000

The rest of the world has recognized what Massachusetts and New England golfers have known for some time: that Dick Haskell's contributions to the game have been nothing short of extraordinary. Haskell, who served as executive director of the Massachusetts Golf Association (MGA) for 28 years, is this year's recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA).

The IAGA is comprised of golf administrators who represent amateur golf associations from around the world (www.iaga.org). Haskell will accept his honor in November at the IAGA's annual meeting in Amelia Island, Fla. "Dick Haskell's contributions to state, regional and national golf are unparalleled," said Tom Landry, the man who succeeded Haskell as MGA executive director in 1998. "His influence has been so strong and long-standing, Dick could have earned this award 15 years ago! I honestly can't imagine where the MGA would be today without his tireless and resourceful efforts.

"Those efforts continue. Though officially retired, Haskell still consults to the MGA on matters regarding the association's centennial, to be celebrated in 2003. Haskell joined the MGA staff in 1968, following 19 years in advertising sales with "Sports Illustrated" magazine. In 1969, he was named MGA executive director -- just the fourth chief administrator in MGA history and the first NOT named Corcoran, as brothers Fred, Bill and John Corcoran had run the MGA since its founding in 1903.

Under Haskell's leadership, the MGA continually broke new ground in the way golf was organized and administered. The MGA was among the first state associations to employ a computer service bureau for handicapping; in 1981, it was the country's second state association to adopt the U.S. Golf Association's GHIN system. Haskell, a longtime Brookline resident, was also instrumental in obtaining real estate tax relief for Massachusetts golf clubs via passage of open space/recreation legislation in 1973. MGA membership quadrupled on Haskell's watch, going from a mere 20,000 individuals in 1969, to more than 80,000 in 1997. Today the ssociation boasts more than 98,000 members. For the better part of three decades, Haskell's skills, knowledge and diplomacy were in continual, national demand. He served 24 years on the USGA Handicap Procedure Committee, 13 years on the USGA Regional Affairs Committee, and 15 years on the USGA Bob Jones Award Committee. Yet Haskell's true legacy is the MGA itself which, during his tenure, conducted hundreds of state championships, expanded golf's scope by adding many new events, fostered the game's growth in urban areas across Massachusetts, and built the association's Annual Spring Conference into an event of national prominence.

Indeed, the IAGA award is merely the most recent in a long line of plaudits. Haskell was honored with the 1996 Silver Tee Award from the Massachusetts Golf Writers Association; the 1997 George S. Wemyss Award (for Longtime Contributions to Golf) from the New England PGA Section; the 1998 Distinguished Service Award from the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association; the 1999 Dedication of Service Award from the New England Golf Association; and the 1999 Isaac B. Grainger Award, signifying 25 years of voluntary service to the USGA.

In 1976, on Haskell's initiative, the MGA was one of the first state associations to establish a Player of the Year competition. Today, the state's top amateurs still compete for that mantle -- the winner receives the Richard D. Haskell Player of the Year Award.

©2004 Massachusetts Golf Association.