John F. McGillicuddy (1989)

John McGillicuddy’s work with the Westchester Classic began in 1982 when Manufacturer’s Hanover (where McGillicuddy was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) assumed sponsorship of the event. As a member of Westchester CC and good friends with the Classic’s founder, Bill Jennings, he was already familiar with the tournament’s operations but believed that by increasing the base of benefitting hospitals the tournament could attract better corporate support. His theory proved correct and after highly successful corporate drive in the 1980s, the tournaments profits doubled. In 1989 alone, the Classic raised over $2 million dollars and accounted for more than 10% of all the money raised for charity by the PGA Tour. Not only did the Classic become a model for other Tour events, but it helped to focus national attention on golf as an important fund-raising vehicle.

But there was more to running a successful tournament than profits, and no one knew that better than John McGillicuddy. In addition to broadening the tournaments financial base, he created an Executive Committee which brought in media advisors and communications specialists which resulted in many new ideas and innovations. He was also instrumental in attracting the top European players such as former champion Seve Ballesteros. In short, he created a wave of enthusiasm that coupled with his uncanny ability to coordinate the efforts of the club, area hospitals and the bank, was equally responsible for the tournament’s continued growth.

Few individuals can claim to have helped so many through golf, in such a short period of time as John McGillicuddy.