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FORMER ALABAMA GOLF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BUFORD MCCARTY'S RETIREMENT PARTY McCarty's a liation with the AGA goes back to 1980. He was appointed as an associate director that year, at the urging of Jim Spader, AGA presi- dent 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 circumstances were such that I wanted 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, although 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 O cers and Directors were my navigators," McCarty said. Upon nding 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 sta members on the best practices to run champi- onships. Plus, in 2011 he received the USGA's Ike Grainger Award for 25 years of service to the USGA. And in 2014 the Birmingham Golf Association in- ducted him into their Hall of Fame. McCarty will remain as Executive Secretary of the Southern Golf Association. His in uence has seen the AGA grow beyond all recognition during his time in charge. Back to the party… An emotional McCarty thanked numerous peo- ple from the podium. Prior to this, his long-time friends, and both former Presidents of the AGA, Barney Lanier and Derrel Curry, said a few words and told a few Buford stories. Also, Wanda Gilliland of the Alabama High School Athletic Association presented him with a plaque of thanks from the ASHAA for all his help in running their state high school golf championships. Priest also o ered his thanks and presented McCarty with a miniature version of the RV that McCarty drove to championships and operated events from. He also gave him his o ce chair, the only one he had sat in for 30 years! Curry said that he, and fellow Presidents and Di- rectors of the AGA, had purchased McCarty a series of golf lessons with noted professional Eric Eshle- man at the Country Club of Birmingham, as well as a tting for new clubs. Like many in golf administration, McCarty has played very sparingly in recent times. One of his wishes for retirement is to play more golf, so this very kind gesture will have him o to a great start. McCarty recognized all former AGA Presidents in attendance, including Richard Anthony, who hired him to the role, Tim Turnham, Lanier, Curry, Tab Hudson, David Pearce, George Walker and Cody Wesley, plus many other AGA o cers and directors from across the length and breadth of the state, as well as numerous state champions and friends of state golf. He also made special mention of Fred Stephens and Larry Kniseley, two long-time Rules o cials and close friends. To conclude, he invited his family to join him at the podium for a nal and moving thank you. A memorable evening for one and all… New AGA Executive Director Andy Priest stands at the podium as Buford McCarty holds a miniature version of an RV. McCarty drove an RV to all championships, from which he would operate the championships.

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