Richard S. Tufts

1981

Golf Administration

Tufts was president of the USGA in 1956 and 1957 but his influence was strong before then and still influences the game today. In 1951 he played a central role in the rules summit in which the USGA and the Royal and Ancient agreed to uniformity. In concert with the USGA, executive director, Joe Dey, Tufts crafted the standard set-up for championships - tight fairways, graduating rough and near fast, firm greens. Tufts also formulated the modern USGA handicapping system of drawing on the best 10 of the past 20 rounds. He also instigated the conversion of the USGA Green Section from a modest research supporter to a national network of visiting agronomists.

Grandson of James W. Tufts, founder of Pinehurst, Richard S. Tufts left his own indelible mark on the game. Soft spoken and thoughtful, he was known as "Mister Richard" to residents of Pinehurst and golfers at the famous resort where he was president during the flourishing post-war years.

He founded the Tufts Archives in Pinehurst making thousands of historic photographs, negatives, maps, artifacts, and memorabilia available to the public and scholars. The Carolinas Golf Association player of the year award is named in Tufts' honor.

Richard Tufts was inducted into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame in 1981.