Ocean State Golf

For 30 years Richard “Dick” Haskell, served the Massachusetts Golf Association (est. 1903) as the dean of golf administration in the Bay State, earning respect and admiration from his peers and media at local, regional and national associations.

Haskell’s love affair with golf began as a caddie at age 10, and evolved to executive director of the MGA, until his retirement in 1997. Dick Haskell was always accessible, positive, cordial and insightful about people, places and things that were important to the history of the game.

Haskell left in indelible impression with those he dealt with on a professional and personal level. Among his many accomplishments, he introduced six new amateur championships statewide.

Haskell was the undisputed authority and driving force of amateur golf in the Bay State and grew the MGA from 172 to 318 member clubs.

Today, the MGA represent nearly 400 members.

Haskell passed at age 84 on July 11 and will be remembered as the lead figure in development of the MGA’s nationally-acclaimed Centennial book – “A Commonwealth of Golfer.”

Dick Haskell will always be remembered as a happy man – always smiling – and always full of relevant golf facts and information, that he always was willing to share with this golf writer since1992, when I got into the golf writing business.

This little ditty about Massachusetts golfers is taken from Haskell’s retirement memoir in 1997: “They don’t smile as much as they should.” Wow, words to live by the next time we tee it up! Let’s enjoy & be grateful for this golf pioneer’s contribution to the game!