News Release

For Immediate Release: October 18, 2006

Headline: William Foley Honored with the MGA's Frank H. Sellman Distinguished Service Award

Norton, MA – The MGA today announced that William C. Foley of Milton, Massachusetts has been named the 2006 recipient of the Frank H. Sellman Distinguished Service Award.

Foley, who served as president of the MGA and The Ouimet Fund, has enjoyed a golf legacy that has spanned more than 40 years beginning in 1964 when he captured the Massachusetts State Amateur title at Worcester Country Club. Foley will officially receive his award this evening at the MGA Annual Meeting, which is being held at Wollaston Golf Club.

"There are few individuals who have given back to the game as much as Bill Foley has done over the years," said Tom Landry , MGA Executive Director. "He was a standout player who made a decision to make an impact on the game long after his impressive championship run. We are pleased to honor him with our distinguished service award. There is no one else more deserving."

In addition to his Massachusetts State Amateur title, Foley was named the MGA Player of the Year in 1964 and was a two-time (1963, 1968) Southeastern Amateur champion. He has also been an active tournament and rules official for MGA and New England Golf Association events for nearly two decades.

Foley was first introduced to the game as a Ouimet caddie at Wollaston Golf Club in the early 1950s. Years later, he continued his legacy at the club by serving as club president from 1977-78 before taking over the helm at the MGA in 1988 for a two-year term as president. As president of The Ouimet Fund from 2000-2002, Foley became one of only four people to be presidents of the MGA and The Ouimet Fund and the first in 41 years.

A tireless promoter of amateur golf, Foley was instrumental in the development of a true “home for golf”. His dream came true in 2002 when the doors opened to the William F. Connell Golf House & Museum where 12 amateur golf organizations and the first-of-its-kind Massachusetts Golf Museum are housed.

For the past 33 years when he wasn't on the golf course or serving the needs of local amateur golf, Foley has been running Foley Chrysler, a successful car dealership located in Quincy.

Former award recipients include Roger Barry (1991), Harry B. McCracken, Jr. (1994), William Flynn (1996), George M. Cohen (1998) and most recently Richard D. Haskell (2003).