PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Dec. 24, 2004 – Patrick O'Grady of Cohasset, Mass., the "father of the modern golf shoe" and developer of the former Etonic PGA Section Education Program, has been named the 14th recipient of the Ernie Sabayrac Award for Lifetime Contributions to the Golf Industry.

O'Grady, 69, a native of Chicago, Ill., will be honored, Jan. 28, 2005, in Orlando, Fla., at The 2004 PGA of America Awards Program. The program, held in conjunction with the 52nd PGA Merchandise Show, begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Orange County Convention Center's Linda W. Chapin Auditorium. A champagne reception begins at 4:30 p.m.

A veteran of the sports equipment industry for more than four decades, O'Grady is credited as a driving force in the golf shoe industry while with the Etonic Company (1985-97). He introduced the first waterproof golf shoe, the first biomechanical sole, better known as the "stabilizer" technology; and was instrumental in the spikeless shoe technological advances.

Spikeless golf shoes became one of the biggest equipment changes in the golf shoe industry, and a movement that affected golf course maintenance and led to more player enjoyment of the game.

"Patrick O'Grady's contributions to the golf industry and Section education are a reflection of his former 'teacher,' Ernie Sabayrac, and testimony to Ernie's legacy in golf," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "As one of golf's premier sales pioneers, Patrick stands among those leaders in our industry.

"Through his more than 40 years of committing himself to the betterment of the PGA Professional, he has been a positive influence on the livelihood of many men and women PGA Professionals. We are very pleased to present him with the Ernie Sabayrac Award."

O'Grady was introduced to golf while caddying for Anna Mae "Babe" Ahern, owner of the Evergreen Country Club on the south side of Chicago, and who continues to operate the club in her 90s.

Following his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1955, O'Grady attended DePaul University briefly before entering the construction business. In 1961, O'Grady dedicated himself to the sports equipment industry, joining Wilson Sporting Goods, and later became national sales manager for the legendary Sabayrac.

When IZOD and FootJoy split in 1979, O'Grady elected to join FootJoy, where he was named vice president of sales, and served worldwide accounts. FootJoy was sold to the Acushnet Company in 1985, and O'Grady moved to Etonic, where he remained until 1997. During his term with Etonic, O'Grady became general manager and began the former Etonic Section Education Program, where sponsorship funds were channeled to improve Section education programs.

Etonic was sold to Spalding Sports Worldwide in 1997, and O'Grady remained with the new owner until 1999, when he founded Golf Product Services of Boston and Newton, Mass., a golf accessory import firm. O'Grady continues his industry affiliations today as a private industry consultant.

"I am very pleased and humbled by this award," said O'Grady. "I think back on the years I spent with Ernie Sabayrac, who was a tough taskmaster. I learned so much and was impressed with how dedicated he was to the golf professional learning process. He taught a PGA Professional how to improve his income through merchandising. And, Ernie taught me how to connect with PGA Professionals.

"The experiences that I had calling on PGA Professionals nationwide and to be able to influence their business careers to be better merchants was a lot of fun. I was so happy to have had the opportunity to also contribute to Section education programs. It is tremendous to see how the education program of PGA Professionals has progressed."

O'Grady and his wife, Lynne, live in Cohasset, Mass. They are the parents of sons Patrick, 45, and Scott, 42, a daughter, Leslie, 34; and seven grandchildren.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

Ernie Sabayrac Award Winners:

1994: Ernie Sabayrac*, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
1995: Bob Rickey*, Cincinnati, Ohio and Gary Adams*, Carlsbad, Calif.
1996: Dick Tarlow*, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and Karsten Solheim*, Phoenix, Ariz.
1997: Joe Phillips, Juno Beach, Fla., and Bob MacNally*, Hinsdale, Ill.
1998: Ely Callaway*, Carlsbad, Calif.
1999: Jim Ireland, Jupiter, Fla.
2000: Jim Vincent, Camarillo, Calif.
2001: Jim Butz, Schaumburg, Ill.
2002: David Branon, Greenville, S.C.
2003: Thomas Crow, La Jolla, Calif.
2004: Patrick O'Grady, Cohasset, Mass.

* = deceased

Source: The PGA