Adele Lebow To Receive USGA Joe Dey Award


Lebow


December 12, 2003
Far Hills, N.J. - Adele Lebow, 80, of Royersford, Pa., a former president of the Pennsylvania State Women's Golf Association and the Women's Golf Association of Philadelphia, has been chosen as the first woman to receive the USGA Joe Dey Award. Given since 1996 in recognition of meritorious service to the game of golf as a volunteer, the award will be presented Feb. 7 at the Association's Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

It is named in honor of the late Joe Dey, who served as USGA executive director for 35 years, from 1934 to 1969 and was later commissioner of the PGA Tour.

"This award is a highlight of my golf career," said Lebow. "To get an award from the USGA is beyond anything I could comprehend. I am so humbled. I don't know why I should get an award for doing something I've loved."

Active in various golf service committees since 1971, Lebow is a 10-time club champion at Spring Ford Country Club in her hometown, northwest of Philadelphia. She is better known for her committee work in the area, culminating with her serving as president of the Women's Golf Association of Philadelphia (1976-77) and the Pennsylvania State Women's Golf Association (1990-91). For the past 27 years, she has been the head of the course rating committee for the Philadelphia association.

For Lebow, a former school physical education teacher, learning to play golf was a way to spend time with her husband, 'Chick', when they moved to Royersford from another part of the state in 1949 to open a furniture business. It became a big part of her life. Ever the pioneer, Lebow has been with USGA committees from the inception of women's course rating (1983) and women's regional affairs (1990).

"I'm just thankful I've had the opportunity to do all of it," said Lebow, who did 10 course ratings in the state in 2003.

Married for almost 60 years, she and her husband are the parents of two boys, Jack and Roger. They also have two grandchildren. All live in the Royersford area.

The Joe Dey award has previously been awarded to Charles Eckstein (1996); John Staver (1997); Joe King (1998); Frank Anglim (1999); Jack Emich (2000); Bill Dickey (2001), Clyde Luther (2002) and John Hanna (2003).

E-mail address: mediarelations@usga.org