Around the Green

Murray Heads USGA Women's Comm, Javors Honored

Two longtime Texas amateur golf volunteers were honored recently at the 2017 USGA Annual Meeting. Richardson’s Pam Murray, a past WTGA President and Director, was appointed Chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee, which advises the USGA Executive Committee on all matters pertaining to women’s golf. In addition, San Antonio’s Marty Javors received the Ike Grainger Award for 25 years of volunteer service. 
 
Murray is the first Texan to hold the country’s most important position in women’s amateur golf since Fort Worth’s Marty Leonard oversaw the USGA Women’s Committee in 1985.
 
“This is a wonderful opportunity and a chance to give back to the game we all love,” said Murray, who was the WTGA President in 2007-08 and a Director from 2002-11. “I look forward to working with all the State and Regional Golf Associations – especially the TGA – as well as the NCAA and USGA in growing and sustaining the game not only for women and girls, but the junior golfer, mid-am golfer and the senior golfer.”
 
A 13-time club champion at Canyon Creek Country Club in Richardson, Murray retired as a school teacher in the Dallas Independent School District in 2002. She turned to volunteerism and wanted to give back to the game that provided so many special memories for her and her family. Murray’s father and two brothers introduced her to the game at a young age.
 
Murray began serving on the USGA Women’s Committee in 2007. She chaired the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Committee in 2013-14. She also chaired the inaugural U.S. Women’s Four-Ball Committee in 2014-15 and was the Vice Chairman of the USGA Women’s Committee until her appointment to Chairman in February.
 
“My mission is to grow and promote the game of golf, especially women’s golf,” she said. “I will say if it wasn’t for my time with the WTGA, I would not be where I am today.”
 
Kelly Kilgo, the former WTGA Executive Director who now serves as the TGA’s Senior Director of Membership Services and Course Rating, said everyone invested in women’s golf should be excited about Murray’s appointment.
 
“She was a great mentor to me and still is,” Kilgo said. “I’m lucky to call Pam my friend. I know she will be the same distinguished leader for the USGA Women’s Committee as she was for the WTGA.”
 
Javors, for his part, began volunteering for the USGA in the San Antonio area in 1984. Since then, he’s been become a veteran Rules Official, having run San Antonio’s U.S. Amateur qualifying tournaments since 1986. Javors has been a USGA Committee Member since the early 1990s; he has served on Regional Affairs and Junior Amateur Championship Committees.
 
The Ike Grainer Award he received was established in 1995 as part of the USGA’s Centennial Celebration and honors volunteers who have provided 25 years of service to the association. Grainger served on the USGA Executive Committee and was the USGA President in 1954-55.
 
Javors said working as a referee at some 35 national championships, including the Women’s Mid-Amateur, U.S. Amateur and Senior Opens, has enriched his life.
 
“I’ve met so many wonderful people who volunteer time to give back to the game of golf and who have become good friends,” he said. “This award is a reminder that I’ve gotten more out of volunteering for the USGA than I’ve given.”
 
Kyle Nuss, the USGA Director of Regional Affairs – South, said Javors has been an integral part of the golf community in San Antonio.
 
“During that time, Marty conducted local qualifying for the U.S. Open and sectional qualifying for the U.S. Amateur championships on behalf of the USGA,” Nuss said. “Marty has also played a key role in the administration of the San Antonio Open, which raises funds and awareness for the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism. He has selflessly given back to the game and his actions personify what the Ike Grainger Award is all about.”