Charlie Bedford

For 17 years now, Charlie Bedford has been volunteering his time to amateur golf in the state. The Florida State Golf Association wishes to recognize Charlie for his contribution to this great game.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Charlie moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1939 and graduated from St. Petersburg High School. Golf was not his sport of choice just yet as he was a member of the state high school basketball championship team. He went on to attend the University of Florida and graduated with a degree in Engineering. Upon graduation, Charlie joined General Electric Company for 38 years and had various assignments in engineering, manufacturing, marketing, strategic planning and general management. After moving 11 times in 38 years, he thought it was time to return to Tampa and retire.

Charlie began volunteering because his wife told him to find something to do and “stay out of the kitchen.” So, Charlie, without much of a background playing golf or in golf administration, joined the FSGA and got involved with the association in 1989. He attended a Rules School and started conducting tournaments with then Executive Director Cal Korf. In the early years, Charlie and Jim Witherspoon, former Director of Rules and Competitions, traveled the state administering tournaments. Some weeks, they would be on the road five days and this was just a volunteer position for Charlie! He said, “I was hooked because I found out that I could make a contribution – a contribution that was appreciated by FSGA and the golfer’s that you deal with – and it was obvious to me that it was an opportunity to continue learning.”

Charlie has not stopped since. Serving as a Board Member and Tournament Chairman, he has attended over 15 Rules Schools and volunteered at more than 300 tournaments! He was even involved in course rating for many years but has since stopped. He is extremely involved with the United State Golf Association (USGA) serving as a USGA Committee Member for ten years and has officiated four US Opens, six US Amateurs, seven US Senior Opens and ten US Amateur Public Links. For all his hard work and commitment, Charlie was recognized with the 1995 and 2000 Volunteer-of-the-Year award as well as the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award. Charlie is one of two men to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifetime of dedication to the game. In 2005, Charlie was inducted into the Florida Golf Hall of Fame. He joined six other men as the first inductees into the Florida Golf Hall of Fame.

Charlie has been an integral part of the association and the growth of amateur golf in the state. "The FSGA has become such a significant force for amateur golf in the state of Florida. The organization now conducts significantly more quality tournaments with a cadre of very competent staff personnel and many very qualified volunteers," Charlie said. "The capability and quantity of the course rating teams has also improved dramatically with the leadership of additional dedicated and competent staff. As a result, FSGA is recognized by USGA as one of the top state associations in the country."

Charlie, a founding member of Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club in Tampa, has cut back on playing golf since his free time is limited. He enjoys spending time with his family of three sons and four grandchildren.

The FSGA greatly appreciates Charlie’s dedication to golf in the state. He is truly an outstanding volunteer and individual.