Golf History
While George S. May was a golfer, he became more interested in the business behind the game, not just the playing of the game. Mr. May became known for his keen business insights, promotional flair, innovative ideas and vision for the future of golf.
Among his honors is the fact that George S. May is listed as one of Golf magazine's 100 Heroes of American Golf. The book "Chicago Golf: The First 100 Years" by Tom Govedarica includes a chapter entitled: The George S. May Decade: 1951-1960. Mr. May was inducted into the Illinois Professional Golfer's Association (PGA) Hall of Fame on October 9, 1992. His award plaque reads:
Illinois Professional Golf Association Hall of Fame Award Citation Honoring Mr. George S. May
Many of today's standard procedures regarding tournament golf on the PGA Tour are the result of the many innovations made by George S. May. From 1941 to 1958, May played host to the game's greatest players for the 10 days each year at his Tam O'Shanter Country Club in Niles, Ill.
In the 17 years of running the All-American Open, World Invitation, All-American Women's Open and Women's World Invitational, May paid out nearly $2 million in prize money, including the then-unheard-of winner's checks of $50,000. While the PGA Tour was playing for comparatively small purses, May was offering first place winnings that were five times what a pro could earn by winning at another stop on the Tour.
He was called golf's King of Promotion, and once on the club grounds at his Tam events, spectators could sense an atmosphere that more resembled a carnival than a golf tournament. He sold concessions; he erected bleachers, put up the first scoreboards with up-to-the-minute scores of the leaders and made players wear uniform numbers, all in an effort to help the novice fan enjoy tournament golf.
The reasons for these honors were as numerous as the unique and varied ideas that George S. May used to promote the sport and his company. These activities popularized the game of golf and brought the activity to millions of people across the United States.
Among the firsts from the fertile mind and imagination of Mr. May were:
- First live TV broadcast nationwide of a golf event.
- Use of bleachers at key spots on the golf course.
- Leader boards to show the scores of golfers.
- Short-wave radio to update scores.
- Allowing ticket holders access to the clubhouse.
- Introduction of golf carts for club members.
- Monthly minimum dues for club members.
- Installation of telephones at each tee for club members to use.
The golf tournaments at Tam O'Shanter Country Club proved to be exceptionally popular. They also proved very valuable in promoting the name of the George S. May International Company to people who were unfamiliar with the company's management consulting services.
