Morris Park Country Club

January 30th 2010 -

Long time PGA Professional and Morris Park Country Club Pro Emeritus Dick Walker has been selected for induction into the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame. He joins the legendary Wally Armstrong, best known for being America's Most Innovative Personal Golf Instructor, as the only two candidates selected for the "class of 2010."

Walker turned professional in 1950, starting out as the Caddy Master at South Bend Country Club for Head Professional John Watson. In 1952 he was drafted into the Army, serving 16-months in Korea and attaining the rank of Staff Sargeant. Upon being discharged in October 1954, he moved to Dunedin, Florida to take the Assistant Professional's position at the then PGA National Golf Club. Watson, who had used his connections to get Walker the job in Florida, hired his former caddy master back as South Bend Country Club's Assistant Professional in 1956.

After Watson died in 1964, Walker moved over to Morris Park in 1965 working as an Assistant Professional for Head Profesional Tom Ice (Professional '64-'69) before being promoted to Head Professional in 1970. After 31 years at the MPCC helm, Walker retired in December 2001; leaving behind a resume that most PGA Professionals can only dream of (see below).

As the Pro-Emeritus at Morris Park Country Club, Walker can be found sharing his wisdom with the current Professional Staff and doing what he loves and was born to do...teach people how to play and enjoy the game of golf.

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is slated for Thursday, November 18th here at Morris Park Country Club.

Elected to PGA Membership in 1957
National "Bill Strausbaugh Award" Winner ('87)
Indiana Section "Professional of the Year" ('76, '92)
Indiana Section "Horton Smith Award" ('83)
Indiana Section "Bill Strausbaugh Award" ('85, '87, '94, '95)
Indiana Section "Merchandiser of the Year" (4 times in Private Club Category)
Indiana Section PGA President ('79-'80)
Served on every Indiana Section Committee except the Tournament Committee
Elected to the National PGA Board of Directors ('88-'91) chairing the Club Relations and Employment Committee and National Golf Day Committee, and served on the Public Awareness & Communications Committee, Special Awards Committee, Audit Committee and Tournament Committee.
PGA Ryder Cup Official (The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, England, '89, Kiawah Island "War by the Shore", '91)
PGA Championship Tournament Official ('88-'91)
Presented the "Key to the City" by South Bend Mayor Stephen Luecke for his many years of volunteer service to the Parks and Recreation Department ('01)
Appointed a "Sagamore of the Wabash" Award by Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon ('01)
The South Bend District Golf Association established the "Dick Walker Lifetime Achievement" Award in his honor to be presented on a yearly basis to a local golfer for his or her contributions to the betterment and enjoyment of golf in the greater South Bend area ('05)
MPCC hosted 10 Indiana Section Tournaments during his tenure including the 1998 Indiana State Amateur Championship

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