GAP presented Pete Trenham, the Philadelphia PGA Section historian and a longtime St. Davids Golf Club professional, with its Distinguished Service Award during a reception at St. Davids on Oct. 26.
| Acceptance speech | Past DSA recipients |
Trenham, 85, of Berwyn, Pa., is the 11th individual and third St. Davids member to receive the honor. The Distinguished Service Award is bestowed upon individuals from any golf related disciplines, who have exemplified the spirit of the game at its highest level and who have made a substantial contribution to the game at the Philadelphia, national or international level.
“The PGA of America had a saying at one time: ‘Making golf a better game.’ Everyone of you in this room is involved with making golf a better game because of what you do and what you have done in golf. It’s a wonderful thing. Just to be here in Philadelphia, to play some small role in the history here, has been a great opportunity,” Trenham said. “Thank you for this recognition.”
In January 1995, Trenham connected with Jim Finegan, author of “A Centennial Tribute to GOLF in Philadelphia.” The near 500-page volume outlined GAP’s history, but neglected to cover Philadelphia’s golf professionals at length. Trenham agreed to research and write that portion of the book on Finegan’s behalf.
Trenham later created a website, www.trenhamgolfhistory.org, which chronicles the Philadelphia PGA Section’s history. It also provides tidbits regarding the GAP Open Championship.
Trenham worked as an assistant professional at Philadelphia Country Club from 1962-66. He then served St. Davids for nearly three decades.
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The Association’s 330 Member Clubs and 100,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
