Ron and Carolyn Sidor’s devotion to the game of golf and their unwavering commitment as volunteers for the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) have earned them the prestigious 2025 Charles E. Lynch, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. The Charles E. Lynch, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to those who go above and beyond in service to golf, embodying the spirit of leadership, passion, and dedication that defines the CGA. 

The Sidor’s journey in golf began more than four decades ago, sparked by a mutual love of the game. Ron, hailing from Northern New Jersey, earned an engineering degree at Syracuse University. Carolyn, originally from Auburn, New York, studied biochemistry at the New York State College of Forestry and met Ron while taking courses at Syracuse. After graduating, they moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where Ron worked for Scott Paper Company and Carolyn at DuPont, which gave them access to DuPont Country Club. It was at DuPont that Ron’s passion for golf grew, first as a player and then as a volunteer for the LPGA Tour. Carolyn, who took up golf alongside him, briefly paused her involvement to pursue a degree in medicine but later returned to the sport with renewed enthusiasm. 

After years of vacationing in Pinehurst, Ron and Carolyn made their permanent move to North Carolina in the early 1990s, immersing themselves in the golf community. Their first involvement with the CGA came through course rating, but their passion for officiating grew as they attended rules workshops starting in 2008. As their confidence grew, so did their dedication to officiating, and in recent years, they have volunteered up to 75 days a year at CGA tournaments and events. 

While they have a special place in their hearts for CGA events and USGA qualifiers, Ron and Carolyn’s officiating experience extends to notable events such as the Sage Valley International, the Dustin Johnson World Junior, the North & South Amateurs, and the Jimmy V Charity Golf Tournament. Their personal highlights include officiating at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019, where Carolyn officiated, and the first U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst in 2022. They also cherish their work with junior girls' golf, especially through the Peggy Kirk Bell Jr. Girls Tour. 

Carolyn, reflecting on her journey, recalls, “I went to medical school thinking I’d become a practicing physician, but it was the rules of golf that really grabbed my attention. I was always curious about the decisions officials made, why they applied certain rules in certain ways. I find the ‘why’ behind the rules fascinating, and to me, that’s what makes it fun.” 

But Carolyn didn’t take this path alone—Ron has been a natural partner, sharing her passion for both the game and its rules. Their teamwork as a couple and their shared commitment to getting the rules right have made them a formidable pair on the course. Even when they’re assigned to different areas of a tournament, they always make time to compare notes after the event. 

“We love comparing notes,” says Ron. “Even when we’re working in different areas, on the way home we’ll talk about who had the most interesting rulings.” 

Their commitment to golf officiating goes beyond just applying rules; it’s about fostering the next generation of officials. Both Ron and Carolyn encourage others to get involved in rules officiating, despite its challenges. “If you’re going to do it, be prepared to put in the work,” Ron advises. “It’s not something you learn overnight. Every word matters. But if you enjoy the challenge, it’s incredibly rewarding.” 

Their dedication has not gone unnoticed. Winning the CGA’s Distinguished Service Award came as a surprise to the Sidors, who have long admired those who received it before them. “It was a huge surprise,” Carolyn admits. “We didn’t feel we were at the same level as others who have received the award, but it’s a tremendous honor.” 

For Ron and Carolyn, this recognition is a reflection of years of hard work, the support of mentors like Andy and Jack, and the camaraderie they’ve built with fellow rules officials. “It really feels like an extended family,” Carolyn says. “We learn something from everyone we work with. And we’re grateful for the support we’ve gotten from people like Jack, Andy, and everyone at CGA.” 

As they continue to contribute to the game of golf, Ron and Carolyn remain committed to their work as rules officials. But what truly defines their journey is the relationships they’ve built and the respect they’ve earned. Together, they have demonstrated the true meaning of service to the game—one ruling, one event, and one connection at a time.