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Who was Dick Grimm?
Former THZ member Dick Grimm was known as "Mr. Canadian Open" for his efforts to grow the game in Canada.
A former chairman of the Canadian Open, Dick played a crucial role in growing the tournament and in the building of Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont.
Between 1965 and '81, he served as chairman of the Open on eight occasions. In 1983, he became director of professional tournaments for the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada), a position he continued until 1993, when he left to take on the role of Commissioner of the Canadian Tour.
He was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1993.
Golf Canada's then-CEO Scott Simmons said in a statement at the time of his passing. "Dick's contributions to the game of golf were outstanding, and his legacy will forever live on as a leader, a gentleman, a mentor, a supporter of the game and one of the finest ambassadors Canadian golf has ever known."
Along with former RCGA governors Bruce Forbes and John Marshall, Dick was involved in building Glen Abbey. He was a crucial figure in retaining golf legend Jack Nicklaus as the course architect and establishing it as the home of the Canadian Open from 1977 to 2000. He also worked to build the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, located on the grounds of Glen Abbey.
Dick also helped expand the Canadian Tour (now PGA Tour Canada) in his role as commissioner of the circuit from 1993 to '97.
After retirement, Dick served on several committees with the RCGA and the Golf Association of Ontario while also representing local golf courses and staying actively involved with the Golf Historical Society of Canada. Additionally, Dick was instrumental in the planning, start and operation of our Temple Har Zion Golf Tournament, served as chair in its early years and was an active committee member until 2013.
Sadly, Dick passed away in May 2014 at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife, Karen.
Temple Har Zion is proud to honour Dick's memory by naming our golf classic after him.