Golf

Tampa attorney to chair Masters committees

By BOB HARRIG
Published April 27, 2006

Tampa's Fred Ridley, a former president of the United States Golf Association, has been named chairman of the Masters competition committees and rules committee, Augusta National Golf Club announced Wednesday.

Ridley, 53, succeeds Will Nicholson, who has been chairman of both committees at the Masters since 1992 and is retiring. Ridley, an Augusta National member, has served on the rules committee since 1994 and previously served as chairman of the cup and tee-marker placement committee.

"It is a real honor to have the opportunity to be asked to chair the variety of committees that put on a Masters tournament," Ridley said. "I'm very grateful to have that opportunity. And I'm very excited about it."

The 1975 U.S. Amateur champion, Ridley is an attorney with Foley & Lardner in Tampa. He was president of the USGA from February of 2004 until earlier this year. Before becoming president, he frequently served as a rule official at the U.S. Open.

[Last modified April 27, 2006, 02:20:16]