The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced on Monday that Robert G. Dowling III, president of what was previously the Massachusetts Golf Association from 1990-1991, will be among 10 recipients of the Ike B. Grainger Award, which recognizes 25 years of service as a volunteer committee member for the USGA.
Dowling, affectionately known as “Sandy” by friends and colleagues, is a longtime resident of Cape Cod and a member at both Oyster Harbors Club and Hyannisport Club. He previously served on the USGA Regional Affairs Committee for several years.
In addition to several decades as a tournament rules official, Dowling also has served the New England Golf Association (NEGA), with roles of Secretary and Tournament Chairman. He worked extensively with the late Harry McCracken (pictured above, right), who was Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the New England Golf Association. Together the two were often up before 4 a.m. traveling to events all across New England, including USGA Qualifying events.
“It never occurred to me that I’d get an award,” Dowling said this week. “It was an honor quite frankly to be recognized, and I’m glad I could do it for so long and glad it was appreciated. I had a great time watching good players play golf. The players who competed in the tournaments always seem to appreciate what all the volunteers did.”
Established in 1995, the Issac B. Grainger Award is named after the USGA’s president from 1954-1955. Grainger led the USGA effort to develop the first unified code of the Rules of Golf with The R&A in 1951.
The USGA will recognize the recipients at its Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday, March 2, in Nashville, Tennessee, during the organization’s Annual Meeting.
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