The Golf Association of Philadelphia has named Stanton H. Friedman as the 2007 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Friedman, 80, of Narberth, Pa., has embodied golf’s spirit with a life-long and unwavering dedication to the sport in the Philadelphia region. He has served on the Golf Association of Philadelphia Executive Committee, the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust Board and on the club board level. He’s volunteered for the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association, is a Lifetime Member of the Platt Caddie Scholarship and for the past 25 years has coordinated a fundraiser for the Trust.
“Mr. Friedman’s dedication to golf in this community is something special,” said Dan Burton, the Golf Association of Philadelphia President. “He’s touched individuals at all levels and continues to do so on a daily basis. He is most deserving of the Association’s recognition.”
The Distinguished Service Award was created in 2006 and honors individuals who, through their actions, have exemplified the spirit of the game at its highest level and who have made a substantial contribution to golf in Philadelphia, nationally and/or internationally.
Mr. Victor Mauck, Jr., ironically a classmate of Mr. Friedman’s at The Haverford School in the mid-40s, was the first Award recipient. Mr. Mauck was highlighted for his efforts as the Association President and with St. Davids GC and the National Club Association.
Mr. Friedman, a retired commercial real estate broker, has served the game, at least in a formal sense, since 1963 when he accepted the role of Handicap Chairman for Squires GC. He became involved with the Golf Association of Philadelphia in 1971 and served on the Executive Committee through 1984. During that time, he also was a Platt Caddie Scholarship Board Member. He remained with the Platt until 1986 but continues his support even today through the Lifetime Membership program and the aforementioned annual fundraiser.
In his tenure at the Golf Association of Philadelphia, Mr. Friedman created and formed the Historical Committee that ultimately led to the book “A Centennial Tribute to Golf in Philadelphia,” written by James W. Finegan.
He was a member at Rolling Green GC from 1974-2006 and served on the club’s Board of Directors for a time. He was also a key figure in the creation of the Francis X. Hussey Memorial Tournament, a better-ball event for Juniors, annually held at Rolling Green GC.
Currently, Mr. Friedman plays his golf at Bala GC, where he’s been a member since 1970.
“I was absolutely fractured when I found out,” said Friedman. “I’m very touched. You don’t do things and think you will get rewarded, especially, for something you love so much.
Mr. Friedman has been married to wife Honey for 35 years and the couple has two children, Ronald Barnett and Francesca Harrison. They also have two grandchildren Jacob and Robert Barnett.
Mr. Friedman has also volunteered his time at Bryn Mawr Hospital as well as serving on the board of the Philadelphia Seniors Golf Association.
