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prominent college events such as the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate and the Graeme Mc- Dowell/Shoal Creek Invite, plus all area USGA qualifiers. Also, McCarty is the Executive Secretary of the Southern Golf Association, so his role is a dual one. "I am very proud of the Southern Amateur, our flagship event. While always a prominent regional championship, it has risen to a top 10 ranking in the world, currently at No. 8, with only the U.S. Amateur, Western Amateur and NCAA's ahead of it in this country." Other services offered by the AGA are myriad including the rating of golf courses, a resource for Rules questions, statewide computing of the GHIN handicapping system, seminars in regards to their tournament pairings program and Rules of the Game, administering Player of the Year points, etc., etc. And, of course, their most visible service is conducting the previously mentioned state golf championships. McCarty's affiliation with the AGA goes back to 1980. He was appointed as an associate direc- tor that year, at the urging of Jim Spader, AGA president at the time. The venerable Joe King was the executive director of the AGA, which he did on a volunteer basis. "I was a member at Riverchase Country Club at the time and was appointed as a liaison between the club and the AGA for the State Amateur we were hosting. Richard Anthony was president of the AGA and he approached me about a full-time position with the AGA. My cir- BUFORD MCCARTY TO RETIRE AT THE END OF 2015 cumstances were such that I want- ed to do it and could do it. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time," McCarty recalled. In recent years McCarty, al- though he would humbly say he was just doing his job, has been rightfully recognized for a job very well done. "All I was doing for the most part was taking care of the steering wheel while a lot of success- ful and smart AGA Officers and Directors were my navigators," McCarty said. Upon finding out he had been chosen to be a recipient of the Joe H. King Award in 2009, he was moved to tears. This is akin to the AGA's Hall of Fame and is their top award. "Joe was my mentor and I would not have been doing what I've been doing for the past 25 years (and counting) without him." McCarty is very proud that the USGA asked him to come to its headquarters in Far Hills, N.J., for a number of years to teach a class entitled "How to Conduct a Championship." It's quite the commendation when golf 's gov- erning body asks you to educate USGA interns and staff members on the best practices to run championships. Plus, in 2011 he received the USGA's Ike Grainger Award for 25 years of service to the USGA. And earlier this year, the Birmingham Golf As- sociation inducted him into their Hall of Fame. So, when you see McCarty at an AGA champi- onship or on another occasion, be sure to thank him for all he has meant to golf in this state. His influence has seen the AGA grow beyond all recognition during his time in charge. Please take note of the Thompson TEES Off icon. Every place you see this icon, click on it to subscribe. An annual subscription is only $30 a year -- less than 60 cents an issue -- fi lled with exclusive, local content delivered to your in-box every Thursday. Buford McCarty "All I was doing for the most part was taking care of the steering wheel while a lot of successful and smart AGA Offi cers and Directors were my navigators." -Buford McCarty

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