The USGA contributed to this story
In 2016, the United States Golf Association bestowed its highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, to Judy Bell, of Colorado Springs, Colo. during the week of the 116th U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club.
Presented annually since 1955, the Bob Jones Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates the spirit, personal character and respect for the game exhibited by Jones, winner of nine USGA championships.
For decades, those characteristics epitomized Bell.
“Judy is a towering presence in golf and her contributions to shaping the USGA can be seen to this day,” said Tom O’Toole Jr., president of the USGA at the time “Her devotion to the game makes her a worthy recipient of our organization’s most prestigious honor. From her earliest days as an accomplished player through her tenure as USGA president, Judy has been a staunch advocate and diplomat for the game. Those mantles were always delivered with her unique kindness and infectious personality. Judy is a real treasure!”
The youngest of four children and the only girl, Bell largely credits her mother’s tenacious, straightforward and generous personality, as well as her can-do attitude as her strongest influences. Bell, who went on to become the USGA’s first female president (1996-1997), has always possessed a passion for women’s and girl’s golf that continues today, particularly through the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program, which she helped found.
Her two-year USGA presidential tenure was hallmarked by the establishment of the “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which dedicated more than $65 million toward national and local projects devoted to improving the lives of communities through accessible golf.
“I grew up around people who volunteered and it was something I felt strongly about, even as a child,” said Bell in her 2002 book, Breaking the Mold. “We all believed that if you’re asked and you have an opportunity to give back, you just step up to the plate and do what you can.”
Bell was also instrumental in the development and management of the USGA Foundation’s leadership and service fellowship program, which provided two-year, graduate-level training to nearly 70 young professionals interested in careers in the non-profit sector. Many fellows continue to serve in leadership roles for a variety of service-based organizations and associations. The program fostered strong relationships within the golf community to promote accessibility, particularly through state and allied golf associations.
On the course, Bell was a passionate and well-respected amateur player who competed in 38 USGA championships, including three trips to the U.S. Women’s Amateur quarterfinals and one U.S. Girls’ Junior semifinals appearance. She also won three consecutive Kansas State Women’s Amateur titles from 1952-1954, the first at age 15. Bell also competed for the victorious 1960 and 1962 USA Curtis Cup Teams and captained the 1986 and 1988 USA Teams. The Women’s State Team Championship Trophy was named after her in 1998.
"Judy was the most fun captain I had in my playing career,” said Carol Semple Thompson, a seven-time USGA champion and 12-time USA Curtis Cup Team member. “She makes everyone feel welcome and happy. "
Bell’s volunteer career with the USGA began as a member of the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship Committee (1961-1964). She served 17 years on the USGA Women’s Committee beginning in 1968, including four years as chairman (1981-1984). In 1987, Bell became the first woman named to the USGA’s Executive Committee and served on nearly every committee before becoming the association’s 54th president in 1996.
Bell was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category in 2001. She is also a member of the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame, Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, among others. Both the PGA and LPGA have recognized her contributions to golf through honorary membership and the Patty Berg Award, respectively, as well as the American Society of Golf Course Architects with its Donald Ross Award.