USBGA Hall of Fame

INAUGURAL

ASSOCIATION

CLASS OF

INDUCTEES

2007

When an organization has met the test of time and created history, then it needs a Hall of Fame to document the accomplishments. The United States Blind Golf Association has met and exceeded those requirements and is therefore proud to introduce its Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductees. It has been over half a century since the first 10 blind golfers met and founded the association. During that time golfers, coaches, and friends of the USBGA have made significant contributions that will be showcased in this Hall of Fame.

Inductees into the Hall of Fame are honored for their performance or service to the organization. Their accomplishments must be achieved over a period of time. The people or associations honored in this Hall of Fame are the reason the United States Blind Golf Association has successfully held a national championship for over six decades. Their talent and dedication helped inspire others to join and grow the organization.

The United States Blind Golf Association adopted a motto years ago. The motto states: “YOU DON’T HAVE TO SEE IT TO TEE IT”. When one learns about the golfers in the Hall of Fame, they discover that the inductees truly exemplify the message in the motto. The same blind golfers will be quick to point out that none of their success would be possible without coaches or friends of the USBGA.

UNITED

STATES

BLIND

GOLF

ASSOCIATION

In 1924, Clint Russell of Duluth, Minnesota lost his sight when a tire exploded in his face. In 1925, he began playing blind golf. Clint slowly reduced his scores and by early 1930 had shot an 84 for 18 holes.

In 1932, Robert Ripley's Believe It or Not carried an article on Clint as the world's only blind golfer. But six years later Ripley did a similar story, this time saying that Dr. Beach Oxenham of London, England was the "World's only blind golfer." Noting the discrepancy, several of Clint's friends challenged Ripley to sponsor the world's first blind golfer's championship. Ripley accepted. Then, on August 20, 1938, at the Ridgeview Country Club in Duluth, Minnesota, Mr. Russell defeated Dr. Oxenham, 5 and 4.

Because of the publicity, Clint Russell received communications from others who had lost their sight. In 1941, the second tournament was held between Clint and Marvin Shannon of Fort Worth, Texas. It was staged as three separate matches. Clint won the first. His opponent won the second. Unfortunately, Pearl Harbor prevented the third match.

Toward the close of World War II, Clint contacted several people in the Veterans Administration and suggested golf as therapy for those who had lost their sight. The Veterans Administration agreed. They have continued to offer golf as therapy to this day.

In 1946, a national blind golfers championship was played in Inglewood, California, this time with more than two golfers. Again, Clint Russell won.

Clint Russell was the first known American to take on the challenge of learning how to play blind golf. More significantly he encouraged others to take up the game. Many of those blind golfers who owe their start in blind golf to Clint’s example became the core of the United States Blind Golf Association in 1948. The association is proud to recognize and induct Clint Russell into its inaugural 2007 class of the Hall of fame.

Charley Boswell was born on December 22, 1916, in Birmingham, Alabama. An excellent “three letter man” athlete at Ensley High School, Charley was a 1940 graduate of the University of Alabama where he played football, a halfback for three years. He had planned on a professional baseball career following college, but before that career could get started, he was drafted in the spring of 1941. On November 30, 1944, while assisting a wounded soldier to escape a burning tank they were in, he sustained a blinding battlefield injury.

Charley underwent numerous surgeries in Europe, efforts to save his sight that were not successful. He was then sent to Valley Forge General Hospital, the Army’s center specializing on eye injuries and rehabilitation of sight impaired soldiers. It was there that Corporal Kenny Gleason, Charley’s rehab specialist, introduced him to golf. Charley had never played golf, but Kenny drew on Charley’s athletic and competitive background and found the outlet that would ultimately define Charley’s life. After his first round, Charley was smitten with the game.

Charley went on to play competitively in the United States Blind Golf Association tournaments, beginning in 1948 at Inglewood, California where he finished second to Clint Russell. It was at that event that he met and first played golf with Bob Hope and established a life long friendship and a relationship that raised millions of dollars for eye related causes. Charley ultimately won 17 US and 11 International championships. He served as president of the USBGA from 1956 to 1976.

Charley had several coaches over the years, beginning with Grant Thomas. Grant was a high school buddy and a good golfer in his own right. He was most helpful not only as a coach, but also helping Charley with his swing after he returned from Valley Forge. Grant coached Charley into the early ‘50’s before Bo Russell took over when Charley traveled to compete in the USBGA tournaments. Another coach, E.T. Walker traveled with Charley to the Canadian events. Bill Mogee was another coach who played and practiced with Charley in Birmingham. Charley won the only tournament in which Bill coached him. It was held at the Highland Park GC that would later bear Charley’s name.

Charley had a passion for sight preservation activities and used golf to support eye related causes. Beginning in 1974 and continuing through 1988, Charley hosted the Charley Boswell Celebrity Classic, supporting Birmingham’s Eye Foundation Hospital. The honorary chairman of the tournament, and annual participant, was Bob Hope. Over the 15 years of the event, $1,200,000 was given to the hospital. Charley was Chairman of the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education from 1990 to 1995. And, in 1982, the Veterans Administration’s Charley Boswell Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center in Birmingham was dedicated.

Off the golf course, Charley ran a successful independent insurance agency from 1954 until his death. In addition, he was appointed Alabama Commissioner of Revenue from 1971 to 1979. Among the numerous awards and honors he received are the Tuss McLaughry Award, given by the College Football Coaches Association in 1993; Alabama Academy of Honor, 1983; Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, 1972; President’s Distinguished Service Award, 1971; Ben Hogan Award, Golf Writers Association of America, 1958; Most Courageous Athlete of the Year, Philadelphia Sports Writers Association, 1957.

Charley married Kitty Lacy in 1941 and they raised three children—daughter Kay McCarty and sons Chuck and Steve. He had seven grandchildren. Charley passed away on October 22, 1995. Throughout his life, he always was looking to the future with optimism. He often said that for him, blindness was not a handicap, just an inconvenience.

The United States Blind Golf Association is proud to recognize and induct Charley Boswell into its inaugural 2007 class of the Hall of fame.

Joe Lazaro and his wife, Edna (“Skip”) have been married for over 61 years and reside in Waltham, MA. They have three children, Lynne, Joan and Joseph Jr. Joe learned to play golf as a teenage caddie by watching other golfers swing. He lost his sight, at the age of 26, in WWII when a German land mine took his sight during the American invasion of Italy in 1944.

Joe played in his first USBGA championship in 1950 and has competed in well over fifty USBGA championships during his illustrious career. He is a seven-time National Champion and holds two International championships. Joe also served for years on the USBGA Board of Directors as well as continuing today as an active member of the Waltham Lions Club.

Among Joe’s many awards, he is most proud of his Ben Hogan Award, which he received in 1970. He was also presented with the PGA “Man of the Year” award in 1984.

Joe recognizes the importance of his coaches and says, ”Blind Golf is a team game.” He has had many coaches over the years, including the following:

For over half a century Joe has exemplified great leadership, ability, and inspiration to his fellow members of the USBGA. In 1995 the USBGA created an award for the Most Improved Player at each national championship. It is named the Lazaro Trophy in his honor.

The United States Blind Golf Association is proud to recognize and induct Joe Lazaro into its inaugural 2007 class of the Hall of Fame.

The history of blind golf and the relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs can be traced back to the 1940s. As part of their rehabilitation, veterans from World War II were introduced to the game of golf at Avon Old Farms in Connecticut. Two members of the United States Blind Golf Association, who received their initiation into the game at Avon Old Farms, are part of the first class of inductees in the Hall of Fame.

Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center located outside Chicago, Illinois opened in 1948. This premier Department of Veterans Affairs facility for blind and vision impaired veterans included blind golf as one of its activities. Orientation Instructors from Avon Old Farms brought their blind golf experience to Hines when it opened. Russell Williams, the first Service Chief at Hines, embraced the idea of offering blind golf. For the next 20 years it was the only VA facility to have a blind golf program. 1948 was also an important year for the United States Blind Golf Association. The association was organized that year and included veterans who received their blind golf start thanks to the VA program.

Blind golf was made special every summer in the surrounding Chicago area by an organization founded in 1952, called the Golf Swing Club. The Golf Swing Club chapter of the United Volunteer Services was made up of ladies who volunteered to help coach and guide the veterans around the many golf courses each week. They enjoyed the hospitality of as many as 15 country clubs. The program continues on even to this day.

The Department of Veterans Affairs now has 9 blind rehabilitation centers that provide blind golf instruction and help when requested. It also supports the National Blinded Veterans Tee Tournament held in Iowa every year for veterans interested in recreational golf and instruction.

For over half a century Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center has been both a pioneer and supporter of blind golf. The United States Blind Golf Association is proud to recognize and induct the Department of Veterans Affairs into its inaugural 2007 class of the Hall of Fame. As the plate on the Hall of Fame trophy very appropriately reads: “Friend of the USBGA”.

Torrance A. (Bo) Russell Jr. was born January 23, 1916, in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Auburn University, graduating in 1939, and was the captain of the 1938 football team under Coach Jack Meagher. He was chosen most valuable player by his teammates. Following graduation, Bo played tackle for the Washington Redskins for two years. He served in the Army during World War II and returned to Birmingham to begin a successful career with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. He was for many years a Southeastern Conference football referee, enabling him to stay close to a sport he loved. Bo was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1979.

He formed a player-coach relationship with Charley Boswell in the early 1950’s that led to their winning 9 USBGA Championships together between 1955 and 1970. Their playing career lasted until Charley’s death in 1995. In addition to the competitive events, Bo coached Charley in many charity events supporting sight related causes such as the Ken Venturi Guiding Eyes Classic and the Charley Boswell Celebrity Classic. In between these events, Bo dedicated himself to many hours on the practice tee with his friend and partner Charley.

Bo passed away on February 1, 1997 followed by his wife Ann in 2006. They raised three daughters—Linda, Patty and Betsy.

The United States Blind Golf Association is proud to recognize and induct Bo Russell into its inaugural 2007 class of the Hall of Fame.

Following the first national blind golf championship in 1946, Bob Hope and his good friend Bing Crosby invited the top two players, Charley Boswell and Clint Russell to be their partners and to play a match in California. This began a long relationship between Bob and blind golfers. Bob was instrumental in helping the United States Blind Golf Association establish charity tournaments that not only helped with acquiring funds, but also gave blind golfers a chance to show many people how the game of blind golf was played.

In 1967, Edgmont Country Club in Edgemont, PA hosted an international blind golf tournament sponsored by Bob Hope. The tournament was called "Hope for the Blind.” Bob Hope and other celebrities came to Edgemont and helped raise money for blind charities in the Philadelphia, PA area.

Bob’s friendship and dedication to the USBGA was enjoyed and is appreciated by the USBGA to this day. The United States Blind Golf Association is proud to recognize and induct Bob Hope into its inaugural 2007 class of the Hall of fame.

B. Coaches, volunteers, and/or friends should have at least a 5-year record of service to blind golf

III. Structure: Honorees will be elected to the Hall of Fame in any of three categories

A. Candidate must have a record of outstanding service (or performance if nominated as a player)

B. Candidate must have shown dedication to the promotion of blind golf and/or the USBGA for a sustained period of time (see II-B above)

C. Candidate in the Friends category can include, but not be limited to, founders of the association, golf professionals who teach the blind, individuals who give time and effort in the organization and execution of USBGA tournaments, members who have made significant contributions to the association through elective office or otherwise

V. Selection: A Hall of Fame selection committee chairman will be appointed every 3rd year by the board (current chairman will serve through 2009).

B. The committee, in addition to candidates they think should be considered, could receive nominations from the membership by a stipulated date during an election year (six months prior to the induction ceremony)

C. The committee votes on the nominees and reports to the board 90 days prior to the National Championship, those candidates who will be honored

D. A candidate must be on at least 75% of the ballots to be elected to the Hall of Fame

E. Schedule of Elections; Annually from 2007-2009, then every third year beginning in 2012

2. Class of 2008 will honor eligible inductees covering the period from 1968-1987

3. Class of 2009 will honor eligible inductees covering the period from 1988-present

F. In subsequent elections, in addition to the committee, any living USBGA member in the Hall of Fame will also get to vote on Hall of Fame nominees

G. After the 2009 induction no more than 2 USBGA members can be selected every three years and total induction cannot exceed 6 in any election

VI. Hall of Fame Curator: Someone will be nominated by the committee and approved by the board to serve as the curator

A. The curator will maintain current records of contact information on all inductees

B. The curator will oversee the creation and placement of a Hall of Fame section on the USBGA website

1. The curator could be removed by a unanimous vote of the board for conduct detrimental to the association

2. Otherwise the curator should be allowed to continue until they wish to resign or are removed by the board for cause

VII. Recognition: An area of the USBGA website will be set aside for the Hall of Fame

A. Honorees’ picture, biography and contributions to blind golf will be placed in the category they were elected into (player, coach, friend)

C. A permanent legacy plaque with all Hall of Fame members will be purchased and updated after each election and put on display at each national tournament and any other events as desired

D. Additional options may present themselves in future years for a physical display or recognition

VIII. Awards: In the years that honorees are inducted into the Hall of Fame, the ceremony should take place at that year’s national tournament awards banquet. Honorees will receive a personalized plaque and/or framed certificate to keep.

IX. Operation: The association shall fund The USBGA Hall of Fame. The Chairman and his/her selection committee are not responsible for the cost of maintaining or inducting members into the Hall of Fame.

Greetings

from the

King

Dear USBGA Members:

I was delighted to learn of the forthcoming ceremonies in connection with the annual National Championship of the United States Blind Golf Association.

How appropriate that you are inducting golfers Charley Boswell, Joe Lazaro and Clint Russell along with Bob Hope and the Veterans Administration into your USBGA’s Hall of Fame at the tournament banquet.

I have always had great admiration for what blind golfers do as competitive players and have always enjoyed time spent with Charley and Joe in particular. Of course, everybody knows what great things Bob Hope did over the years for the great game of golf.

I send my greetings to all and especially to Pam Mariani and her family for hosting the event at Edgmont Country Club. Have a wonderful evening.

Sincerely,

Arnold Palmer

Thank You

as well

Mr. Hope...

"Thanks

for the

Memories!"