Brewer named to USGA's Jones Award
FAR HILLS, N.J. -– O. Gordon Brewer Jr., 71, a two-time USGA Senior Amateur champion, longtime volunteer in golf, has been chosen to receive the United States Golf Association’s 2009 Bob Jones Award.Presented annually since 1955, the USGA's highest honor is given in recognition of sportsmanship in golf. The award seeks to recognize a person who emulates Jones’ spirit, personal qualities and attitude of Jones, one of golf's immortal names.
"It’s a tremendous honor,” said Brewer. “In fact, when I received the phone call, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
“When you look at the list of winners, you’re humbled,” he added. “To be part of such an esteemed group and to know this award reflects Bobby Jones and the model he set for the game, makes me very grateful for the recognition.”
“Gordon is well-known as a golfer and person, and he has a deservedly outstanding reputation on and off the course,” said fellow Bob Jones Award winner Bill Campbell, who won the U.S. Amateur eight years after receiving the Award in 1956 and is the only person ever to serve as both USGA president and captain of The R&A. “He knows golf from the inside-out, and is widely admired in all respects.”
Like Campbell and other past winners of the USGA’s most prestigious award – a list that includes inspirational sports figures such as Byron Nelson, “Babe” Zaharias and Arnold Palmer – Brewer is more than just a great champion.
“The Bob Jones Award going to Gordon Brewer is recognition well deserved,” said Palmer. “Gordon has been a great credit to the game, both as a fine player and as a long-time supporter of amateur golf and its principles of competition and sportsmanship.”
Brewer began his storied career as a top amateur golfer in 1967, when he won the Philadelphia Amateur Championship. He added a second Philadelphia Amateur in 1976 and a Pennsylvania Amateur title in 1984, and went on to compete in more than 40 USGA championships. He was runner-up to in the 1985 U.S. Mid-Amateur and won the USGA Senior Amateur in 1994 and 1996. He was also captain of the U.S. team at the World Amateur Team Championship.
Brewer served in numerous capacities with the USGA, including as chairman of the Implements and Ball Committee, where he was a key player in the efforts to limit the spring-like effect of golf clubs.
Professionally, Brewer served as vice president of finance for Alco Standards, Inc. and IKON Office Solutions in Philadelphia.
Brewer and his wife, Gail, have been married for 49 years and reside in Pine Valley, N.J. Brewer’s son, Oliver G. (Chip) III, is president and chief executive officer of Adams Golf in Plano, Texas.
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