This article originally appeared in the August issue of NCGA Golf Magazine
The late Pearl Carey was not only known for her grace and dignity, but also her courage.
Having grown up in an era where many golf facilities were unavailable to minorities, Carey vowed to change that.
Her resulting efforts still resonate today.
In 2005, Carey was chosen as only the second woman to receive the prestigious USGA Joe Dey Award.
Annually given since 1996 in recognition of meritorious service to the game of golf as a volunteer, the award is named in honor of the late Joe Dey, who served as USGA executive director for 35 years, from 1934 to 1969 and was later commissioner of the PGA Tour.
Said Carey, who died in 2009, upon hearing the news that she was being recognized, “The chairman [of the selection committee] called me a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been sick ever since. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. Oh my … this is such an exciting thing I can’t believe it. I would have never thought I would get such a thing.”
As a member of the Western States Golf Association (WSGA), one of the oldest African-American golf associations, Carey held numerous positions and championed programs to open the game to minorities.
Other Carey accomplishments included securing funding from the USGA Foundation to implement the Seaside Junior Golf Program in 1997, serving as the area director and president of the Pacific Women’s Golf Association and earning the California Golf Writers Association Golden State Award for lifetime service to the game--especially in respect to junior and women’s golf.
In 2005, the NCGA recognized Carey with its annual Distinguished Service Award.
Today, her Joe Dey Award is on display in the Charles Seaver Lobby at NCGA Headquarters in Pebble Beach.