PGA of Canada to Honour Richard H. (Dick) Grimm
ACTON, ONT. (January 5, 2012)—The PGA of Canada will recognize Richard H. (Dick) Grimm with its inaugural George Cumming Distinguished Service Award later this month at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.
Grimm will be presented with the PGA’s most prestigious award January 27 at Canada Night—Presented by the PGA of Canada and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions and sponsored by Sunice at the PGA Merchandise Show. The 88-year-old will be made an honourary PGA of Canada Lifetime Member as well.
“I speak on behalf of all the Association’s 3,800 members when I say we couldn’t be more proud to have Dick Grimm as the inaugural recipient of the George Cumming Distinguished Service Award,” says PGA of Canada CEO, Gary Bernard. “Over the course of his legendary career, Grimm has exemplified the qualities of this award: leadership, integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf in Canada.”
Grimm’s career in the Canadian golf industry dates back nearly 50 years. In 1965, as Chairman of the Canadian Open for Mississaugua Golf & Country Club. In 1970, 1975, 1977-80, Grimm was the RCGA’s Canadian Open Chairman. For a decade (1983-1993) Grimm was the Director of Professional Tournaments for the RCGA and was also the Canadian Tour’s Commissioner from 1993-1997. Grimm is a member of the Ontario and Canadian Golf Halls of Fame. Furthermore, he’s a former President of the RCGA (1974); RCGA Governor (1969-1974); and RCGA Honourary Life Governor (1975-present).
Grimm has been very supportive of the PGA of Canada and its members throughout the years. He continuously looks for ways to improve the Association and enrich the day-to-day lives of our members.
“Dick has been a big supporter of the PGA of Canada for a number of years,” says PGA of Canada President, Glenn Cundari. “From his time at the RCGA, to his role as commissioner of the Canadian Tour, and even still to this day, he’s always looking at ways to better our Association and our members.”
It was during his time running the Canadian Open where Grimm earned the nickname, “Mr. Canadian Open.” Countless stories have been told about how liked and respected Grimm was amongst not only his peers, but among PGA Tour members. Many players said that if Grimm asked them to play in the Canadian Open, they would, which lead to some of the best fields in golf.
In 1989 Grimm was elected to Jack Nicklaus’ Captain’s Club at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Nicklaus’ exclusive Captain’s Club features a former President of the United States of America, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and a former Secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to name a few.
Long retired and nearly 90-years-old, the Thornhill, Ont., resident, still to this day holds an annual golf tournament—however it’s not for professionals playing for big money, it’s a charity event in support of the Head and Neck Cancer department at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.
Grimm will be on hand to accept his honour at Canada Night—Presented by the PGA of Canada and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions and sponsored by Sunice on January 27 at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Fla. PGA of Canada Members, Canadian and International golf journalists and PGA Merchandise Show exhibitors are encouraged to attend the event.
“It promises to be an outstanding evening,” Bernard says, adding, “I’m sure it would mean the world to Dick to have a number of friendly, familiar faces in the room while he accepts his award.”
Considered the “Dean of Canadian Professional Golfers,” George Cumming’s teachings as proprietor of the Toronto Golf Club’s golf shop launched the career of many of Canada’s most revered golfers.
The Distinguished Service Award is designed to recognize outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.
Grimm will be presented with the PGA’s most prestigious award January 27 at Canada Night—Presented by the PGA of Canada and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions and sponsored by Sunice at the PGA Merchandise Show. The 88-year-old will be made an honourary PGA of Canada Lifetime Member as well.
“I speak on behalf of all the Association’s 3,800 members when I say we couldn’t be more proud to have Dick Grimm as the inaugural recipient of the George Cumming Distinguished Service Award,” says PGA of Canada CEO, Gary Bernard. “Over the course of his legendary career, Grimm has exemplified the qualities of this award: leadership, integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf in Canada.”
Grimm’s career in the Canadian golf industry dates back nearly 50 years. In 1965, as Chairman of the Canadian Open for Mississaugua Golf & Country Club. In 1970, 1975, 1977-80, Grimm was the RCGA’s Canadian Open Chairman. For a decade (1983-1993) Grimm was the Director of Professional Tournaments for the RCGA and was also the Canadian Tour’s Commissioner from 1993-1997. Grimm is a member of the Ontario and Canadian Golf Halls of Fame. Furthermore, he’s a former President of the RCGA (1974); RCGA Governor (1969-1974); and RCGA Honourary Life Governor (1975-present).
Grimm has been very supportive of the PGA of Canada and its members throughout the years. He continuously looks for ways to improve the Association and enrich the day-to-day lives of our members.
“Dick has been a big supporter of the PGA of Canada for a number of years,” says PGA of Canada President, Glenn Cundari. “From his time at the RCGA, to his role as commissioner of the Canadian Tour, and even still to this day, he’s always looking at ways to better our Association and our members.”
It was during his time running the Canadian Open where Grimm earned the nickname, “Mr. Canadian Open.” Countless stories have been told about how liked and respected Grimm was amongst not only his peers, but among PGA Tour members. Many players said that if Grimm asked them to play in the Canadian Open, they would, which lead to some of the best fields in golf.
In 1989 Grimm was elected to Jack Nicklaus’ Captain’s Club at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Nicklaus’ exclusive Captain’s Club features a former President of the United States of America, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and a former Secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to name a few.
Long retired and nearly 90-years-old, the Thornhill, Ont., resident, still to this day holds an annual golf tournament—however it’s not for professionals playing for big money, it’s a charity event in support of the Head and Neck Cancer department at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.
Grimm will be on hand to accept his honour at Canada Night—Presented by the PGA of Canada and PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions and sponsored by Sunice on January 27 at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando, Fla. PGA of Canada Members, Canadian and International golf journalists and PGA Merchandise Show exhibitors are encouraged to attend the event.
“It promises to be an outstanding evening,” Bernard says, adding, “I’m sure it would mean the world to Dick to have a number of friendly, familiar faces in the room while he accepts his award.”
Considered the “Dean of Canadian Professional Golfers,” George Cumming’s teachings as proprietor of the Toronto Golf Club’s golf shop launched the career of many of Canada’s most revered golfers.
The Distinguished Service Award is designed to recognize outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.