Former Executive Committee Member Paul Jenkins Passes Away

Nov. 11, 2009

Paul G. Jenkins, a former USGA Executive Committee member and a past president of the Southern California Golf Association, died of natural causes on Nov. 5, a few weeks shy of his 82nd birthday, at his home in Indian Wells, Calif.

A stockbroker by trade, Jenkins was passionate about golf, especially in the Coachella Valley, where he was the Tournament  Chairman of the PGA Tour’s Bob Hope Desert Classic in 1967. Jenkins became one of Hope’s closest friends and was an active president of the Desert Classic tournament, as well as serving as director of the Eisenhower Medical, Betty Ford and Barbara Sinatra Centers. He also was involved in several charity golf events in the area.

Jenkins, a member at both Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells and Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in the San Diego suburb of Rancho Santa Fe, joined the SCGA Board of Directors in 1979 and became its president in 1992. During his presidency, the California Golf Association added the CGA Senior Amateur Championship.

In 1991, he was asked to join the USGA’s Executive Committee, where he served until 1993.

“I learned so much from Paul during our days together on the SCGA Board,” said USGA President Jim Vernon, himself a past president of the SCGA. “He always was able to see the big picture and yet at the same time he could focus on all the details. His keen intellect and sharp analytical skills were exceeded perhaps only by his generous nature and jovial demeanor. He was an absolute joy to work with.  Paul is a perfect example of how fortunate the game of golf is to have volunteers who are willing to give so much back to the game.”

Jenkins is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Jane, daughter Sherry Bolton, sons Stephen and Reid, their spouses and eight grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for Nov. 14 at The Living Desert in Palm Desert. The family suggests that any donations be directed to either the Eisenhower Medical Center or The Living Desert.

Story written by USGA Digital Media staff writer David Shefter.