First Tee Of Cleveland Honors Bigham

The First Tee of Cleveland recently honored George Bigham, PGA., LM by dedicating their new putting green in his honor in a ceremony that was held on Sunday, June 9, 2013.

9 Local golf Professionals, 2 amateurs and a TFTC participant played in the 9-hole George F. Bigham Challenge. Invited guests enjoyed golf clinics and a tour of Washington Park Golf Course, certified as a Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary and home of The First Tee of Cleveland. Jimmy Hanlin conducted a press-style interview with George, which will be broadcast at a later date.

Article Courtesy: www.thefirstteeofcleveland.org

George F. Bigham has had a lifelong love affair with the great game of golf. His extraordinary playing career was highlighted by the remarkable feat of never missing a cut on the PGA Tour. George competed on the PGA Tour in 60 events, making 60 cuts, from 1955-1957 and has played in three U.S. Opens and three U.S. Amateurs. He has been paired with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Since the end of his playing career, Mr. Bigham has been loyally serving and advancing the game of golf. He served the Oakwood Club for more than 35 years as club professional, subsequently receiving an Honorary Lifetime Membership. In 1991 he was named the Northern Ohio Teacher of the Year. In 2000, Mr Bigham was honored by the Northern Ohio Professional Golf Association as a true Legend of Golf. He is a Life Member of the PGA of America and was elected into the Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame in 1992.

A philanthropist and role model, George, in conjunction with the Cleveland Sight Center, co-founded the Blind Golf Program. Additionally he has made immeasurable contributions to us at The First Tee of Cleveland, impacting many young people throughout the Greater Cleveland area since the chapter’s birth in 1999. His accomplishments are remarkable, his passion inspiring, and his devotion to truly making a difference is unwavering and unending.

Looking for George here on our campus? You will likely find him on the range or on the putting green, looking for yet another young person to get hooked on golf, or simply showcasing our program to one of his acquaintances. George has been an advisor and true ambassador of The First Tee of Cleveland for the past 8 years, and we know of no other person who can possibly be a better ambassador of our program than him. He has truly inspired, influenced, and impacted all of us and we know he will continue to do so for a long time to come. We appreciate his devotion and love him for who he is as much as what he has done for The First Tee of Cleveland. Dedicating our putting green in his honor is only a small token of our appreciation for him, but a gesture we make with deep gratitude and love for a remarkable man.

“I am humble and extremely proud that The First Tee of Cleveland will be dedicating their expansive putting green in my honor.” George Bigham