Introducing Frank Ford III, 2021 Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame Inductee

 

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (August 4, 2021) -- 22 years after his introduction into the South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame, Frank Ford III has his golf legacy permanently cemented in the Carolinas as he is set to be inducted into the CGA Hall of Fame in 2021.


The 69 year old has amassed what is an impressive trophy case from his playing career in all levels of amateur golf. A terrific collegiate golfer for Furman, he was one of the playing members of their 1973 Southern Conference Championship team. That level of play while in school allowed Ford the honor of being inducted into the Furman University Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.


“I started playing the game at an early age, probably six to seven years old if not before,” said Ford. Golf and hunting were the sports enjoyed in our family especially if you wanted to be with your Father or Mother. Our golf professional, Al Esposito, was the gentleman who made sure you had your fundamentals down and acted properly while playing."


His career after college would follow with even more success. Ford has six Azalea Invitational wins to his name, a 1992 Carolinas Amateur Championship, a 1996 South Carolina Amateur Championship, and deep runs in both the U.S. Senior Amateur and British Senior Amateur Championships. Ford was named the 1992 Player of the Year by both the Carolinas Golf Association and the South Carolina Golf Association. 


“I believe Henry Picard was the person who taught me the most about the swing,” said Ford. “He taught me how to think and how to handle competitive pressures.”


Ford won the 2018 South Carolina Super Senior Championship, is a four time South Carolina Senior Player of the Year, and is also a record four-time champion of the Carolinas Four-Ball Championship alongside partner Jim Burgess. All of this success in his home state allowed Ford the honor to be able to be a two-time member of the South Carolina team representing the state in the USGA state team championships. 


However, Ford’s contribution to the game of golf goes much farther than his playing prowess. The Charleston, South Carolina native was instrumental in bringing two USGA events to his home club, the Country Club of Charleston. In 2013, Ford secured the U.S. Women’s Amateur to be played in the Palmetto state and served as General Chairman for the event. Ford’s home of Charleston left such an impression that the USGA once again decided to return in 2019 this time for the premier event in Women’s professional golf, the U.S. Women’s Open where he served as General Chairman once again. 


“The event in 2013 went off very well and the USGA was satisfied enough to basically offer us the 2019 Women’s Open,” said Ford. “I’m sure we had touched all the right bases for the Am prep but having President Tom O’Toole offer us the opportunity at a USGA gathering was mind blowing, we jumped on it.”


Ford has a history of employment with the CGA as well, starting his time in 1976 under Executive Director Hale Van Hoy.


“I am grateful to have had Hale Van Hoy as my mentor,” remembered Ford. “He understood my situation and certainly led me to better days and a true understanding of how to present golf the right way. He simply provided leadership.”


Using that leadership and lessons, Ford would be named the Executive Director of the Georgia State Golf Association four years later. He also served as the President of the CGA from 1994 to 1995. 


“It was exciting yet daunting to leave the Carolinas and home in Charleston to run that great organization,” said Ford. “It really opened my eyes to how many great people are a part of our game and what they do and give up to give back. The friendships we made are enduring and have been a rich addition to our lives. Danny Yates, Billy Peters, Shirley Seagraves, Ed Barnes, Mike Waldron and many others made my job easier and more full-filling.”


Ford’s days in both the administrative and competitive sides of golf have proved worthy, and the newest member of the CGA Hall of Fame will surely only continue to add to what is a very impressive resume.


Notable Accomplishments:

Playing member of the 1973 Southern Conference Championship team for Furman

Executive Director Georgia State Golf Association

Six-time Azalea Amateur Invitational Champion in 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992 and 1993

1988 Carolinas Mid-Amateur Champion

1988 Runner-up Southern Amateur

1992 Carolinas Amateur Champion

1992 South Carolina and Carolinas Player of the Year

President of the CGA from 1994 to 1995

1996 South Carolina Amateur Champion

1996 Runner-up Rice Planters

Four-time Champion of the Carolinas Four Ball Championship with Jim Burgess (record)

Two-time member of the South Carolina team in the USGA State Team Championship

Fourteen-time member of the Palmetto Cup matches and Carolinas Virginia Team

Four-time Champion of the Yeamans Hall Senior Championship

Four-time South Carolina Senior Player of the Year

President South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame since 2002

Furman University Sports Hall of Fame 2004 Inductee

Advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Senior Amateur in 2007 and 2008

Third place finish in the 2011 British Senior Amateur held at Royal Portrush

General Chairman of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur

2018 South Carolina Super Senior Champion

General Chairman of the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open

Recognized by the USGA for 25 years of service with the Ike Grainger Award

 

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA)            

The CGA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization that was founded in 1909 to promote and to protect the game of golf in the Carolinas by providing competitions, education, support and benefits to golf clubs and golfers. The CGA is the second largest golf association in the country with over 700 member clubs represented by nearly 150,000 individuals.                      

The CGA annually conducts 48 championships and five team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. It also runs over 150 One-Day (net and gross) events as well as qualifying for USGA national championships. The CGA serves golf in the Carolinas with numerous programs such as: the USGA Handicap System; tournament management software and support; course measuring and course/slope ratings; agronomy consultation; answers about the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping; Carolinas Golf Magazine; Interclub series; Tarheel Youth Golf Association; Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame; expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas; and the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF). The CGF has distributed nearly $2,000,000 since 1977 to benefit Carolinas' golf initiatives including junior and women's programs. For more information about the CGA, visit our website.         
 

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