ELMSFORD, N.Y.--The Metropolitan Golf Association is proud to announce that Gerald T. “Jerry” Mahoney, the former Director of Golf Programs for the MGA and a member of the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, NY, will be honored with the Association’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, at the 104th Annual Meeting and Dinner on Wednesday, December 5^th, at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, NY.

The DSA is presented annually to a candidate who has contributed "...distinguished service to golf and its related activities, consistent with the valued standards and honorable traditions of the game.”  Throughout his career in golf, Jerry Mahoney has truly embodied the spirit of service to golf, and giving back to the game he loved and revered.  He will join the company of an impressive list of past winners, including Joseph C. Dey, Fred Corcoran, and P.J. Boatwright, all of who served golf in an official capacity.

A lifelong resident of Yonkers and a veteran of World War II, Mahoney’s early experiences in golf include membership in the (now defunct) Hudson River Country Club in Yonkers, where he was club champion and held the course record.

Jerry’s first contact with the MGA came as a volunteer with the Tournament Committee.  In 1978, he and his brother sold the family car dealership, and three years later Jerry joined the MGA full-time, serving as Executive Director for one year, and then as Director of Golf Programs.

In the latter capacity, Mahoney parlayed his knowledge of golf with his “people skills” to reach out to member clubs and make them feel a real part of the MGA.  Jerry Mahoney was truly the MGA’s ambassador of golf.  It is no exaggeration to think of him as “Mr. Golf” of the Metropolitan Area.

Perhaps Jerry's greatest contribution to the MGA came in his role as liaison with corporate sponsor MetLife, which now sponsors nine MGA championships and our Calendar of Competitions. Jerry's tireless attention to all aspects of this important relationship helped to forge one of the longest running and most successful corporate sponsorships in golf.  His working relationships MetLife representatives Ivar Quigley and many others, often developed into close personal friendships that further helped to strengthen the relationship between the two organizations.

Sadly, Jerry Mahoney suffered a severe stroke early in 2001 that has left him paralyzed.  Peg Mahoney, his wife of 53 years, will accept the award on his behalf.

Other items of business at the Annual Meeting will include the election of officers and the presentation of the Association’s Player of the Year Award.

For more information, please contact Jeanne McCooey or Richard J. Cerame of the MGA at (914) 347-4653.