PAST

FOG Co-Founders John Anderson and Eddie Merrins at the Bel-Air Country Club.

In taking on the additional duties as the UCLA coach, Merrins inherited a paltry budget of just $6,000, which was grossly inadequate in order to compete in big time college golf competition. UCLA graduate and LACC member John Anderson, in response to Merrins’ financial plight, hosted the founding luncheon. At that time, the idea of staging an annual golf tournament to raise funds for golf team scholarships was adopted. Many of the individuals in the original founding group are still active in the organization. And so the not-for-profit organization, Friends of College Golf, was established.

FIRST TOURNAMENT HELD IN 1980
As a brand new organization, Friends of College Golf held its first tournament in the Spring of 1980 at the Bel-Air Country Club, which remains the venue for this now highly successful venture. Anderson was named President of the fledgling band of volunteers. Getting even 100 players that first year was something of a chore for the group’s founders. For the first few years, it took many phone calls, notices posted in club pro shops, and arm twisting to get players to sign up. The proceeds of $30,000 from the initial tournaments were contributed to the UCLA Golf Program.

A major funding breakthrough occurred in 1983 when two Friends of College Golf benefactors, Dick Traweek and Clint Butcher, pledged $25,000 towards establishing the first golf scholarship at UCLA. The Friends of College Golf Board matched those funds, creating the necessary $50,000 to meet the scholarship’s funding requirement. The 10% interest income from the account provided the $5,000 necessary to fund the initial scholarship.

SCHOLARSHIP AND HONOREE PROGRAMS STARTED
In 1984, the first scholarship was established and named for Eddie Merrins, the Bel-Air Country Club’s “Lil Pro.” Friends of College Golf then started naming a legend of golf as its Honoree, beginning in 1985. This established a precedent that has significantly increased both player and sponsor participation. Lee Trevino was the first in a parade of all-time great pro golfers—Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman, and this extraordinary high level has been maintained each year (Council of Honorees). The proceeds from subsequent tournaments provided the funding for the remaining allowable UCLA golf scholarships, named for each year’s Honoree. Thanks to these funded scholarships, UCLA became a major factor in college golf, winning the NCAA Championship in 1988.

HIGH SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS ADDED
In 1986, Friends of College Golf reached a financial level where it could expand its scope of contributions to include another major segment of junior golf—the high schools. Donations were made initially to the Southern Section of the California Interscholastic Federation, which distributed the funds to more than 50 high schools in the Southern California area. The schools receiving contributions were asked to provide matching funds and these contributions usually made the significant difference of whether the high school had a golf program or not. As a result of this expanded scope of donations, the organization’s name was changed to “Friends of Golf” (now commonly know by its acronym, FOG). In 1990, the Los Angeles City Section high schools were added to the CIF recipients, bringing the total to more than 200 such golf programs.

In 1987, thanks to a significant rise in net proceeds from the annual FOG Tournament, the contribution program was expanded to include a number of colleges and universities across the nation.

CONTRIBUTIONS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE GOLF FOUNDATIONS
The latest expansion of FOG’s annual contributions program focused on organizations that assist young golfers. The first of these was the Evans Scholars Foundation, which annually awards college scholarships to qualified caddies. A long-time Master of Ceremonies at FOG’s annual dinner, well known radio talk show host Jim Lange, was a recipient of an Evans Foundation scholarship. His recommendation to include this very worthy group led to several more such foundation grants. They have included: LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program, Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation, Get A Grip Foundation, Young Golfers of America Foundation, Corey Pavin Golf Classic that benefits Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Chi Chi Rodriguez’ Youth Foundation in Florida, American Junior Golf Association, Jim Murray Memorial Foundation and Richstone Family Center.

Beginning with the initial contribution of $30,000 to UCLA in 1981, the level of contributions made by Friends of Golf has increased annually. Beginning in 1999, FOG has allocated $300,000 yearly to 30 university and college golf teams, over 200 high school teams, and other junior golf programs. In its 25 years, FOG has made a total of $4 million in contributions.

STRONG LEADERSHIP SPARKS CONTINUED GROWTH
The financial condition of Friends of Golf has increased and strengthened each year, which has enabled the Board of Directors to steadily increase its allocations. The net worth of FOG in the mid-1990s reached its goal of the $1 million mark, in order to have resources available for possible adverse times and to use for maintaining the desired contribution level. This is an example of the unusually competent management team that has steered the fortunes of this largely volunteer-run organization. Following Anderson’s role in getting FOG organized, a new President took over in 1981. He was Art Kelly, who had just resigned as the long-time Chairman and CEO of Western Airlines. Kelly [enthusiastically?] accepted Anderson’s invitation to succeed him. He brought with him our long-time secretary, Joyce Haack, who continues her role with the organization. Kelly’s eight years at the helm of Friends of Golf can best be summed up by quoting from a resolution submitted by Chairman Anderson when Kelly resigned at the end of 1989…“the accomplishments during his presidency have placed FOG in a position where its annual golf tournament is recognized as the finest youth golf tournament in the nation…the financial affairs of FOG are in a very sound and strong position."

In 1990, former aerospace executive and Bel-Air Country Club President, David Diltz then assumed the leadership reins. Diltz’ stewardship was highlighted by the establishment of the Ben Hogan and Dinah Shore trophies, a sharp increase in corporate sponsorship, and the institution of new fund raising concepts to further expand FOG’s level of contributions and steady improvement in the financial condition of the organization. After his splendid ten years of leadership, Diltz resigned in 2000 and was succeeded by long-time FOG member Tony Beck. Beck’s term was short-lived, however, because of a residential move to Palm Desert.

That brought on Ed Steidle, one of the founding members of FOG, who served a two-year stint. In late 2003, the Board named Sal Cimbolo, a veteran sales and marketing executive, as the new President. Cimbolo co-chaired the annual tournament in 2003.

FOG ESTABLISHES TWO MAJOR COLLEGE GOLF AWARDS
In addition to the FOG allocation program, the organization became involved in two major collegiate awards. In 1990, the late Tom Harmon, a FOG Director and former football great and Heisman Trophy winner, got the idea for a similar trophy that would honor annually an outstanding collegiate golfer/scholar. Harmon gained the endorsement of his long-time friend, Ben Hogan, and thus, in 1990, the Ben Hogan Trophy was established. The College Golf Coaches Association annually selects the All-American College Amateur Golfer of the Year who is awarded this coveted trophy. The player’s name and that of his University are inscribed on a replica of the original Waterford crystal trophy that is permanently on display at the Bel-Air Country Club.

In 2002, The Byron Nelson Trophy was established and named for our cherished 1985 Honoree. This trophy goes to the College Academic Golfer of the Year, again chosen by the College Golf Coaches Association.

In 1994, FOG, together with the Ladies Professional Golf Association, established the Dinah Shore Trophy, presented annually to the lady collegiate scholar/golfer chosen by the NCAA. For many years, Dinah regularly participated in the Friends of Golf Tournament, both as a player and a participant in the annual banquet program. She always was known as the “First Lady of FOG.” Besides a replica of the trophy, FOG also makes a $3,000 grant in the winner’s name to her university’s women’s golf program.

ENORMOUS SUPPORT FROM MANY CORPORATE SPONSORS
A continuing highlight of this highly regarded fund-raising program is the enormous support provided by the many corporate sponsors. Over the years, FOG has attracted an elite group of Tee Sponsors who each contribute $10,000 and have their representatives on course to greet the golfers. Other sponsors donate prizes each year worth nearly $750,000, ranging from trips to all parts of the world that include airline and limousine transportation, hotel accommodations, car rentals and rounds of golf. Other top prizes provided by these valued sponsors include accommodations at major resorts, golf equipment, electronic appliances and many types of sport and golf clothing.

The annual tournament format includes a Golf Clinic on Bel-Air’s first tee featuring a golf lesson/demonstration by the Honoree and notable guests. A tradition at these Clinics for many years was the appearance of the 1986 Honoree, Byron Nelson, who in his 80's, amazed the assembled crowd with his unmatched skills at swinging a golf club. Other top celebrities who have graced this Clinic include famous college basketball and football coaches, UCLA golfers who have become PGA Tour stars and, on occasion, promising high school golfers, such as a young man named Tiger Woods, who still remembers the thrill as a teenager being in the same Clinic with the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Chi Chi Rodriguez.

Following the tournament is a social hour and then the International Dinner and Awards Program. Over the years, the evening’s Master of Ceremonies included Jim Lange, Dinah Shore and the outstanding television golf commentator, Jack Whitaker. In recent years, Whitaker has been joined by the famous comedian and Bel-Air member Tom Poston. Following podium appearances by special guests, the program is climaxed by the blind drawing for the Grand Prizes which concludes the festive daytime and evening activities.

The Friends of Golf, Inc. organization celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2004 and shall, in the ensuing years, continue to provide substantial support to the encouragement of junior golf programs throughout the USA. Perhaps the highest tribute that can be paid to FOG is the annual flood of appreciative letters received from the many recipients of its contributions to their golf programs. Ranking with this high praise is the statement by golf legend Byron Nelson, who called this “the finest one-day tournament of its kind in the country.” Need we say more?

PRESENT

Friends of Golf, Inc.
Friends of Golf (FOG), founded in 1979, is a unique organization of concerned and interested patrons of the game of golf. Over 600 of these individuals are developing opportunities for young people at the grassroots level. FOG members participate by playing in the annual golf tournament or by supporting the organization with donations of prizes or cash contributions from individual, company or foundation sources. Through various fundraising efforts FOG is now making annual contributions of over $320,000 to support the following:

1. Various college programs selected by FOG’s Allocation committee. There are currently 30 colleges and universities which will be beneficiaries of over $160,000 in annual support. As a condition for our support, we ask that each institution match our donation.
2. High school golf programs through the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Friends of Golf contributes $80,000 to over 200 high schools conducting golf programs in Southern California. We ask that the recipient schools match our donation.
3. Through the Evans Foundation, formed by the Western Golf Association (WGA), FOG helps WGA and Evans cover the $4 million budget requirements to fund university scholarships that go to academically qualified caddies. Scholarship recipients must have unusual civic background, financial need and academic qualification.
4. Junior Golf programs throughout the U.S. These are supported by direct contribution to the Ladies Professional golfers Association (LPGA) Foundation, Young Golfers of America Foundation and the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation.