PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – March 18, 2005 – Acushnet Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Wally Uihlein, long-time senior executive of one of the world's foremost sport equipment companies and a respected industry statesman, has been named recipient of the 2005 PGA Distinguished Service Award.
A native of Haverhill, Mass., the 55-year-old Uihlein (pronounced "U-Line") will be honored Aug.10, in a 7 p.m. ceremony at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J. The ceremony is in conjunction with the 87th PGA Championship, Aug. 8-14, at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.
"Wally Uihlein's impact upon the business of golf over nearly three decades is a success story that has resulted in serving the needs of players of all abilities," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "Golf has been fortunate to have a leader of his caliber, because he believes that there is always a new challenge and a new idea to explore.
Wally combines an unparalleled work ethic and love of the game that is a bonus for our industry. And he is someone who has a bond with the PGA Professional, recognizing that our members are caretakers of the game. We are very proud to present Wally with the PGA Distinguished Service Award."
As a junior golfer, Uihlein was given both a playing and working opportunity by Ernie and Charlie Doherty, PGA Professionals at a nine-hole municipal golf club in Bradford, Mass. A few years later, Uihlein was once again given the opportunity to work in the golf shop, in exchange for playing privileges from Jerry Diefenderfer and Ed Tompkins, PGA Professionals at the Crystal Springs Golf Club in Haverhill, Mass. Thus began a near 40-year career of involvement in the golf industry.
Uihlein earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1973 from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and completed graduate courses in business management at Suffolk University in Boston. He was a sales representative for Dunlop and also spent two years in the PGA apprentice program.
In 1976, following the recommendation of yet another PGA Professional, Uihlein's life changed again. He joined Acushnet as a regional sales representative in its Titleist Golf Division, working for a company that at the time reported $55 million in sales and an operating income of $5 million. Within a year, Uihlein became national sales manager.
He continued to ascend the company ranks rapidly and was named vice president of sales and distribution in 1982. He was named chairman and chief executive officer in May 2000.
Uihlein's legacy at the Acushnet Company is one of stewardship of the company and the brands that it owns, as well as a passion and commitment to his team of employees.
In the near 30 years that Uihlein has been involved with the Acushnet Company, the competitive positions of all of its brands have been improved, and he has assembled one of the most tenured and most capable management teams in the golf industry.
In 2004, Acushnet earned $1.2 billion in sales, an operating income of $153.8 million and employed 4,500. Acushnet sales now reach Canada, South Africa, Asia and parts of Europe, and the Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra brands are the brands of choice by many of the world's foremost Tour professionals.
In addition to his leadership of the Acushnet Company, Uihlein also has contributed many professional and personal hours to junior golf, through his long-term commitment and involvement with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), the world's most successful competitive junior golf organization. Uihlein has been associated with the AJGA for more than 25 years.
"As chairman and CEO of the Acushnet Company, a company with a long history of commitment to The PGA of America, I am both appreciative and flattered in being selected to receive the 2005 PGA Distinguished Service Award," said Uihlein. "Past recipients reflect a community of individuals who have in one form or another dedicated their lives to the golf industry, the advancement of the game and the betterment of the PGA Professional. To be recognized by the organization primarily responsible for the growth and perpetuation of the game as we know it is, deservedly so, golf's highest honor."
Uihlein said that his career inspiration came while working, off and on, as an assistant in golf shops from age 14 to 24. During that time, he met the late Jim Kernohan, a sales representative for Titleist.
"To be like Jim Kernohan was all I ever wanted to be," said Uihlein. "Jim Kernohan was my role model. But, a lot of admiration I had for Jim was because of the respect that I saw Jim receiving from people that were important to me - The PGA Professional. My story reads like an adopted son of The PGA of America. I am proud of that adoption."
Uihlein and his wife, Tina Marlowe Uihlein, live in North Dartmouth, Mass., and are the parents of sons Jonathan and Peter. Tina's father, the late Tony Marlowe, was for many years the PGA Head Professional at the Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., and is a member of the Middle Atlantic PGA Hall of Fame.
The PGA Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1988, honors outstanding Americans who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf. It is The PGA of America's highest honor.
PGA Distinguished Service Award recipients:
1988 - Herb Graffis 1997 - The Hon. George H.W. Bush
1989 - Bob Hope 1998 - Paul Runyan
1990 - No recipient 1999 - Bill Dickey
1991 - The Hon. Gerald Ford 2000 - Jack Nicklaus
1992 - Gene Sarazen 2001 - Mark McCormack
1993 - Byron Nelson 2002 - Tim Finchem
1994 - Arnold Palmer 2003 - Vince Gill
1995 - Patty Berg 2004 - Pete Dye
1996 - Frank Chirkinian 2005 - Wally Uihlein
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.
The PGA Championship is one of the premier golf events conducted by The PGA of America. Others include the Ryder Cup, the Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Since 1916, golf's best professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship's coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions include Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead and Walter Hagen.
Tickets for the 87th PGA Championship can be purchased by logging on to www.pga2005.com, or by calling (800) PGA-GOLF.
Contact:
Julius Mason
561/624-8444
jmason@pgahq.com
