USGA

USGA Notebook: Dey Award
Presented and Amateur Reinstatements

Baltimore's Jack Emich Wins Dey Award

Far Hills, N.J. - Jack Emich of Baltimore, Md., a former president of the Maryland State Golf Association and the Middle Atlantic Golf Association, who has served in golf administration since 1954, has been chosen by the United States Golf Association to receive its 2000 Joseph C. Dey Award.

Given in recognition of meritorious service to the game as a volunteer, the award will be presented Jan. 22 at the Association's Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

"I'm absolutely surprised and humbled at even being considered for such an award," said the 81-year-old Emich. "For the USGA to recognize me for doing something I love doing is really unbelievable. It's a wonderful feeling that's made even better because I knew Joe Dey well."

A lifelong resident of Baltimore where he still resides with Jane, his wife of 57 years, Emich began his golf love affair with the Maryland State Golf Association as a member of the volunteer Board of Directors in 1954. He became even more involved as Board president in 1960. Since 1961, he has held the staff position of secretary/executive director.

Emich served on the advisory board of the Middle Atlantic Golf Association for 17 years, culminating with a term as the association's president in 1988.

He began his volunteer service to the USGA in 1964 as a member of the Green Section Committee, on which he served for 13 years until 1977. From there, his volunteer service to the USGA grew to two more committees and spanned some 37 years in all.

He was part of the USGA Sectional Affairs Committee for 30 years, from 1966 to 1996. Since 1997, he has been a member of the Regional Association Committee.

In addition, he received the Isaac B. Grainger Award for 25 years of volunteer service to the USGA in 1995.

Emich spent his business career in a booming steel industry, with the exception of a four-year stint in the Army Transportation Corps during World War II, where he rose to the rank of First Lieutenant. He worked 28 years with Curtis Steel Products Company, reaching the level of assistant to the president before retiring in 1984 at age 66.

Emich's playing career includes participation in one USGA championship - the 1950 U.S. Amateur in Minneapolis, Minn., where he lost in the first round to Dow Finsterwald. Seventeen years later, he played in the British Amateur.

He was instrumental in securing the biennial Walker Cup Match between amateur men's teams from Great Britain-Ireland and the United States for Baltimore Country Club (Five Farms) in 1965, where he served as the event's general chairman.

"I've met so many great people in golf, and so many great people connected with the USGA," says Emich. "In addition to knowing Joe Dey, I knew P.J. Boatwright, Fred Brand, William Campbell, and Bud Semple, to name a few.

Amateur Reinstatements Top 500

Far Hills, N.J. - During 1999, the United States Golf Association granted amateur reinstatements to a record tying 530 applicants. In 1997, amateur reinstatements were issued to 530 golfers as well, and a year later 511 golfers opted to return to amateur golf.

"With more than 500 players coming back to amateur status in each of the past three years, it's clear that interest in competing as an amateur golfer is stronger than ever," said Tony Zirpoli, USGA director of regional affairs, public golf and amateur status. "These players are coming back to enjoy the great competition that amateur golf can provide."

Typically, a golfer must complete a two-year waiting period while pursuing reinstatement, although that period may be extended or shortened. Longer periods normally will be required when applicants have played extensively for prize money, regardless of performance, or have been previously reinstated. Shorter periods often will be permitted when applicants have acted contrary to the Rules of Amateur Status for one year or less.

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For more information on the reinstatement process or the Rules of Amateur Status, contact Tony Zirpoli at (908) 234-2300.