President’s Award 2013 – Dick Grimm

Dick Grimm

Members of Canada’s sports media along with media and golf fans around the world were saddened by news of the recent death of one of the most dynamic and influential figures in the sport in Canada … Dick Grimm.

Where does one begin with Dick Grimm’s accomplishments? The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member was the chairman of the 1965 Canadian Open at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club, and then he was chairman six more times. He was the president of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada) in 1974. He was a governor from 1969-1974, and has been an honorary life governor since 1975. He was the RCGA’s director of professional tournaments from 1993-1997, and when he showed up at a PGA Tour event to encourage and nudge golfers to play, they could hardly say no to this gentleman of the game who commanded such respect. He was known as “Mr. Canadian Open.”

Dick was also the commissioner of the Canadian Tour — now PGA Tour Canada — from 1993-1997. He was always available to players and to the media. He was always trying to improve the tour. He wanted it to become a top-notch developmental tour for golfers hoping to reach the PGA Tour. He succeeded.

Along the way Dick made friends with just about everybody in golf. He was instrumental in the development of the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario, when he worked closely with course architect Jack Nicklaus. This was in the mid-1970s. Nicklaus in 1989 invited his friend Dick to become a member of the prestigious Captain’s Club at his Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Dick joined Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Sean Connery in the club, and he made a point of getting to the annual dinner during the Memorial Tournament as often as he could. But he missed the event this year and his absence was noted as his death was noted and regretted in the TV coverage of the tournament.

Dick Grimm, turned 90 last year had achieved so much in his career. He was a most deserving recipient of the Sports Media Canada President’s award in 2013 In recognition of a
significant, unforgettable career.