George Peper

George Peper, Former “Golf Magazine” Editor,
to Receive ASGCA’s Donald Ross Award

George Peper, editor-in-chief of “Golf Magazine” for a quarter of a century and author of 17 books on golf and golf courses, has been chosen to receive the 2008 Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). He will accept the award during ASGCA’s 62nd Annual Meeting, on April 3, 2008 in St. Andrews, Scotland.

The award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to golf and golf course architecture. President Steve Forrest, ASGCA will present the award to Peper at the group’s Donald Ross Banquet at the Rusacks Hotel in St. Andrews.

“George Peper is one of the most knowledgeable voices in golf, respected for his prolific journalistic and publishing career and his respect for and knowledge of golf courses,” notes Forrest. “He continues as editor-at-large for ‘Links’ Magazine and lives in St. Andrews. I will be honored to present this award to a man who has devoted his career to understanding and promoting golf and golf courses.”

Long Career in Golf and Golf Publishing

Peper is a graduate of Princeton University, and went on to study for his Ph.D. in comparative literature at Yale University. He left that program to join the staff of “Golf Magazine.” Under his stewardship, the magazine became the most widely-read in the industry and began publishing the first “Top 100 Golf Courses in the World” lists. While there, he also published a number of books on the game, including “The World’s 500 Greatest Golf Holes,” “Golf Courses of the PGA Tour,” “Golf in America” and most recently “Two Years in St. Andrews: At Home on the 18th Hole.”

Peper is a member of five clubs in Scotland, including the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, where he is the first American on the Club Committee. His “The Need System” was adopted by the USGA as the recommended method for allocating handicap strokes across 18 holes, and he has worked with clubs worldwide on pace of play. He is also a partner in Golf Magazine China Consulting, which matches golf architects with development projects in China.

The Donald Ross Award was established by the ASGCA Board of Governors in 1976 and is given annually to an individual who has made a positive impact on golf and golf course architecture. Its first recipient was one of ASGCA’s Founding Fathers, Robert Trent Jones. ASGCA’s Donald Ross Award Committee is led by Past President Rees Jones, ASGCA.

Peper will be the 33rd winner of the Donald Ross Award.

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Editor’s Note: A photo of George Peper is available upon request.

Sidebar: Donald Ross Award Recipients

YEAR RECIPIENT OCCUPATION

2008 George Peper Golf Writer, Author

2007 Dr. Michael Hurdzan, Golf Course Architect

ASGCA

2006 Jim Awtrey CEO, PGA of America

2005 John Singleton Irrigation Pioneer

2004 Thomas Cousins Philanthropist, Urban Golf Developer

2003 Bill Campbell President, USGA, Captain, Royal & Ancient Golf Club

2002 Byron Nelson Professional Golfer

2001 Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA Professional Golfer, Golf Course Architect

2000 Jaime Ortiz-Patiño Owner, President, Valderrama Golf Club

1999 Arnold Palmer, Professional Golfer

ASGCA Fellow

1998 Judy Bell President, USGA

1997 Gene Sarazen Professional Golfer

1996 Ron Whitten Golf Writer

1995 Pete Dye, ASGCA Fellow Golf Course Architect

1994 James R. Watson Agronomist

1993 Brent Wadsworth Golf Course Builder

1992 Paul Fullmer ASGCA Executive Secretary

1991 Michael Bonallack Secretary, Royal and Ancient (St. Andrews)

1990 John Zoller Former Executive Director, No.

California Golf Association

1989 Dick Taylor Editor, Golf World Magazine

1988 Frank Hannigan USGA Executive Director

1987 Charles Price Golf Writer, Author

1986 Deane Beman PGA Tour Commissioner

1985 Peter Dobereiner London Observer Columnist, Author

1984 Dinah Shore Sponsor of Women's Golf Tournaments

1983 Al Radko Former Director, USGA Green Section

1982 Geoffrey Cornish, Golf Course Architect, Historian

ASGCA Fellow

1981 James Rhodes Governor of Ohio

1980 Gerald Micklem Former Captain, Royal and Ancient

1979 Joe Dey Former Executive Director of the USGA

1978 Herb and Joe Graffis Founders, National Golf Foundation

1977 Herbert Warren Wind Golf Digest Columnist, Author

1976 Robert Trent Jones, Founding Member of ASGCA

ASGCA

ASGCA Background

Founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, including Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit organization comprised of 180 golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Members are actively involved in the design of new courses, the renovation of existing layouts, and issues affecting the future of the game.

Media Contact

Aileen Smith
American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA)
125 N. Executive Dr., Suite 106
Brookfield, WI 53005
262-786-5960 | 262-786-5919 (FAX)