Never thought this would be part of my life-long golf journey.
Never thought someone from my past ventures, someone I know, would actually one day become Chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club.
Never imagined that.
Today, Fred Scobie Ridley is the just-named head-guy at the world’s most famous golf club. That’s a pretty big accomplishment for a kid from Winter Haven, Fl.
When you look back in time, Fred Ridley has been a guy who has constantly surprised those of us who know him.
There was no way he could win the U.S. Amateur championship back in 1975. He was one of the “other guys” on some really great University of Florida golf teams. The 1973 team won the NCAA title under then coach Buster Bishop and Fred was an alternate, wasn’t strong enough to crack the starting lineup that featured big ole country boy Andy Bean.
No way Ridley could win something as big as the U.S. Amateur. His biggest victory prior to that was the Bartow Sheriff’s Villa Championship, staged at the Bartow Golf Club which is about 30 miles east of Tampa.
Curtis Strange and Andy Bean were the overwhelming favorites to win the ’75 U.S. Amateur along with a Houston hot-shot named Keith Fergus.
Ridley pulled off a world-class upset, beating all three (Fergus in their 36-hole final).
Ridley ended up in law school at Stetson University rather than PGA Tour Q-School. Good decision. He logged some time up in Cleveland at International Management Group in Mark McCormack’s heyday and later would settle in Tampa. Ridley was the last U.S. Amateur Champion who never turned pro.
He became a favorite son of the USGA and became its president in 2004. In Tampa golf circles, consensus was that Ridley would be a cinch for an invite into the exclusive Augusta National membership.
His work place in Tampa is the Foley & Gardner Law Firm where he has been a long-time partner, specializing in real estate finance and development law.
At Augusta National, Ridley became Chairman of the club’s Competition Committee. The world spotlight hit him back in 2013 when he had to inform Tiger Woods that he took an improper drop at the par five 15th during second round play.
Meanwhile back in Tampa, we figured it was just a matter of time until Ridley would become the head guy at Augusta National.
It happened sooner than expected when Billy Payne turned over the reigns this week.
Ridley becomes only the second member in the history of Augusta National to serve as USGA President AND Chairman of “The National.” The other was Hord Hardin.
Ridley holds that unique honor of being the only Chairman to play in The Masters.
Fred’s the perfect guy for the job. Soft-spoken, bright, with a deep respect for the game and its history.
The powers at Augusta National got this one right.
2 Comments
beege
Hey Tom,
that university of florida team had if i am not mistaken, phil hancock the two sullivans in addition to bean, koch was gone the year before. i knew buster really well because i worked for norm carlson in the SID my senior year–truth be known, buster was a really nice gentleman and knew that the kids he had playing knew more about golf than he ever would know so he just got out of the way–funny in today’s collegiate golf world that is rare–most of the coaches are really great players.
bean was the best by far.
bob
Tom Edrington
Bob, yes, I knew Norm Carlson, incredible gentleman as well, the STANDARD for SIDs, he looked at lot like Tampa Tribune Sports Editor Tom McEwen, the two would get mistaken for each other often. Yes, Florida had some real talent go through Buster’s program, that’s for sure. Not so much these days.