Bill McTurk, Former MGA Executive Committeeman and DSA Winner, KIlled in Accident at 79
It is with deep sadness that we must report the untimely death of former MGA Executive Committee member William McTurk, who was tragically killed in an auto accident on May 12th . Bill, 79, and his wife Lois were returning from the Greenbrier resort in West VA, where they had just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Bill and Lois, who was with him during the accident but who is unharmed, were two of the Met Area’s most active and hard working officials during the 1980’s and 90’s and shared the MGA’s Distinguished Service Award in 1997. They were the first joint recipients of the award.
Following his retirement from Exxon in 1982 Bill began his volunteer service to the MGA as a member of the Course Rating Committee and quickly became one of the country’s most knowledgeable experts, playing a major role in the implementation of the USGA’s new Slope System in 1983. He served as Chairman of the MGA Course Rating & Handicapping Committee from 1988-1997. A longtime member of Sleepy Hollow CC in Scarborough, NY, and active on many Committees there as well, Bill also headed the MGA’s Public Information and Presidents Council Committees and served on the Editorial Board of the The Met Golfer. He was elected to the MGA Executive Committee in 1989 and served with distinction until 1997 when he and Lois moved to State College, PA.
For those of us at the MGA who knew Bill and worked with him, we will always remember and respect his energy and commitment to whatever assignment he was given. He was an important part of the MGA during many critical years. More importantly, we will remember a man of great warmth, quick wit and with an engaging personality. Bill really cared, and you felt it instantly.
When it came to giving something back to the game Bill McTurk set a standard that few have equaled and left the golfing world a better place. The MGA extends its deepest sympathies to Lois and to Bill’s entire family.
Listed below are a few websites with some additional information. No formal services have been announced. Those wishing to contact Lois McTurk should contact the MGA Office.
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/local/11650260.htm
http://dnronline.com/archives%202005/05-13-05/local-story3.asp
