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Gregg Grost to Receive 2024 Eddie Merrins Award

Posted on March 27, 2024

FORT WORTH, Texas (March 27, 2024) – The Ben Hogan Award Foundation and Friends of Golf (FOG) have selected Gregg Grost, a former national champion college golf coach at Oklahoma and past Executive Director and CEO of the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), as the recipient of the 2024 Eddie Merrins Award.

Recipients of the Eddie Merrins Award are to be highly regarded for their service, dedication and contributions to college and amateur golf while upholding the highest standards, values and ethics of the game.

“From a standout coaching career to directing the GCAA, Gregg certainly has put his stamp on college golf for more than 40 years,” said Harold Muckleroy, Chairman of the Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank. “We are pleased to honor him and all of his contributions to the sport.”

Grost led the GCAA for more than two decades beginning in 2000. During Grost’s tenure (2000-23), GCAA membership doubled in size to more than 850 members. Along with the WGCA (Women’s Golf Coaches Association), the GCAA has also grown its national convention attendance from fewer than 150 to more than 340.

Additionally, the Arnold Palmer Cup expanded from a competition between eight US men’s college golfers versus their counterparts from GB&I to an event that includes men’s and women’s college golfers from around the globe.

Prior to heading up the GCAA, Grost spent two decades as a college head golf coach, helping his teams earn NCAA berths in 17 of his 20 seasons. In addition, he coached 19 players to a total of 33 All-America honors.

Fifteen of his years were spent at Oklahoma (1986-2000), where he led the Sooners to a national title in 1989. That season, Oklahoma won a school-record seven tournaments, including the NCAA Championships, and Grost was named the Dave Williams National Coach of the Year. In all, his teams won or shared three Big Eight Conference titles (1989, 1992 and 1996).

Prior to Oklahoma, Grost guided Lamar to three Southland Conference Championships (1982, 1983 and 1985) and he earned the first of his two National Coach of the Year Awards in 1985. He joined the coaching ranks as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Dan Rogas at Lamar in 1981.

Grost, who was inducted into the GCAA Hall of Fame in 2005, has a long association in college golf, beginning his playing career at McLennan Community College under Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Clayton before playing for coach Mel Thomas and graduating from TCU.

Created in 2022, the Eddie Merrins Award is issued annually at the Ben Hogan Award Dinner to an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to college and amateur golf. Previous winners of the award include Merrins (2022) and Bill Montigel (2023).

The founder of FOG, Merrins was instrumental in the formation of the Ben Hogan Trophy, which was first issued at Bel-Air Country Club in 1990. Affectionately known as “The Little Pro,” he stayed involved as a key figure in the award following its move to Colonial in 2002. Merrins passed away on Nov. 22, 2023.

Grost will receive the honor at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, May 20. The winner of the 2024 Ben Hogan Award presented by PNC Bank, which honors the college and amateur golfer of the year, will also be announced that evening at the black-tie dinner featuring the award’s three finalists.

Local Southern California High School Students to Get Free Golf Shoes

Posted on February 3, 2024

in Partners

Non-Profit Friends of Golf (FOG) Teams with G/FORE To Donate 2,000 New Golf Shoes to High School Golf Student Athletes

CIF Southern Section Students to Get Shoes at Event Saturday, February 3 in Los Alamitos

Event Description: Friends of Golf (FOG) has teamed with G/FORE to donate 2,000 pairs of brand-new golf shoes to Southern California CIF high school student athletes. This Saturday, high school golfers from across Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern and San Luis Obispo counties will be given new shoes at the CIF-SS offices in Los Alamitos.

In October, FOG and G/Fore started the shoe giveaway at Birmingham Community Charter High School in Lake Balboa. CIF City Section high school coaches and members of their golf teams picked up the first batch of donated golf shoes. High school student athletes from CIF San Diego Section will also receive free shoes at a future event.

Event Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024
Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Location: CIF’s Los Alamitos offices (10932 Pine Street, Los Alamitos, CA., 90720)
Contact: Joe Schlosser, Friends of Golf, joe@schlossercommunications.com / (818) 795 9932

FRIENDS OF GOLF (FOG):
Originally founded in 1979, FOG has donated over $10 million to both national and Southern California college, high school and non-profit golf-focused organizations. FOG supports student athlete golfers by instilling the values of honesty, ethics, and fellowship with a true appreciation for the game. From the time boys and girls enter grade school through the end of their college experience, FOG makes it possible for aspiring junior golfers (irrespective of economic standing) to play, compete and excel in this exceptional sport.

G/FORE:
G/FORE is the golf-inspired sportswear and accessories brand created and designed by veteran fashion innovator Mossimo Giannulli, who for many years has been a supporter of junior golfers and FOG’s Mission. G/FORE was conceptualized with a passion for modern design combined with a love of golf. Inspired by art, architecture, and high fashion, G/FORE is distinguished by our attention to detail, sophisticated ease, whimsical nature, and youthful energy. We consistently strive to make a powerful and colorful impact on our favorite game. Our intent is to disrupt the industry while honoring the sport and its rich traditions.

CIF CITY SECTION:
The California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section (CIF-SS) is the governing body for high school athletics in most of Southern California and is the largest of the ten sections that comprise the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Its membership includes most public and private high schools in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern and San Luis Obispo counties. Teams from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and surrounding areas have competed in the CIF Los Angeles City Section since 1935. CIFSS’s offices are in Los Alamitos. Founded in 1913, the CIF Southern Section includes over 560-member public and private high schools and is by far the largest CIF section. Three of the ten CIF sections are individual current or former public-school districts (Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland). The Southern Section’s membership includes all private schools located within the service area of the LAUSD, which includes almost all the city of Los Angeles plus some adjacent areas outside the city limits. If the CIF Southern Section were a state association, it would be the 10th largest in the United States. The CIF-SS governs 37 varsity sports. There are 630 golf programs in the CIF-SS – 348 boys’ teams and 282 girls.

Golf world loses an icon with Eddie “The Lil Pro” Merrins passing at age 91

Posted on December 1, 2023

in Special Announcements

By Kendall Capps | Nov 29, 2023 | SB Nation’s

Eddie Merrins is a member of the World Golf Teaching Hall of Fame and the co-founder of Friends of Golf, a leading philanthropic organization.

The golf world was dealt a tough blow last week with the news that Eddie “The Little Pro” Merrins passed away at the age of 91.

Merrins leaves behind a remarkable legacy both with what he accomplished on and off the golf course. He played professionally in over 200 PGA Tour events beginning in 1957. The iconic figure once held the course record at Medinah (66) at the Western Open.

But it’s what he did after his playing career ended that has had the greatest impact in the sport he loved.

Merrins was a co-founder of the philanthropic organization Friends of Golf. FOG, as it’s known, was created in 1979 and as renowned broadcaster Jim Nantz said at this year’s charity event, “was First Tee before there ever was a First Tee.”

I had the honor and privilege to attend this year’s event and was astounded with everything Friends of Golf does to give back. PGA Tour star Max Homa and LPGA Hall of Famer Juli Inkster were honored this year with the Eddie Merrins Statue.

Previous winners of the prestigious award include Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els, Arnold Palmer and Annika Sorenstam, among others.

Following his passing, FOG released a statement:

“It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to a true legend and iconic figure in the game of golf, Eddie Merrins. Eddie leaves behind a legacy of giving that will endure for generations to come and has impacted tens of thousands of amateur and professional golfers alike.

He was the driving force behind the creation of Friends of Golf, which launched over four decades ago in support of both junior and amateur golfers irrespective of their economic standing. We are forever grateful for all that Eddie has done for the game of golf and we will continue to honor the best in golf annually with The Eddie Merrins Statue.”

Merrins will be posthumously honored at the 2024 charity event at Bel Air Country Club, where he was still serving as Professional Emeritus until his passing.

FOG thus far has raised over $10 million for national and local colleges, high schools and other golf-focused organizations.

Following his playing days, the legendary figure became the head professional at Bel Air Country Club. He then helped shape golf in Southern California for the next two decades. He ultimately coached UCLA to a national championship in 1988 and tutored 11 All-Americans, including Corey Pavin.

Merrins was inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame in 2009.

Eddie Merrins is survived by his wife Lisa, two sons, Mason and Michael, and daughter Randy.

Blog Whole Post

Gregg Grost to Receive 2024 Eddie Merrins Award

Local Southern California High School Students to Get Free Golf Shoes

Golf world loses an icon with Eddie “The Lil Pro” Merrins passing at age 91

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