Jim Hand was a devout supporter of the golf turf management industry long before many ever were aware of what superintendents did on the golf course.
A former banking executive in the New York area and past president of the U.S. Golf Association, Hand died Nov. 13 in Manchester, Vermont. He was 101.
A native of Chutchogue, New York, Hand served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era and upon his discharge, joined the National Bank of Westchester in 1954 and retired as the company's chairman in 1980. A scratch golfer, Hand was a member of several high-profile golf clubs, including The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews, Pine Valley, Seminole, Winged Foot, Ekwanok and Sleepy Hollow.
Hand was a member of the executive committee of the Metropolitan Golf Association, and received the association's Distinguished Service Award in 1986. In 1975, he was appointed to the USGA executive committee, and chaired the association's championship committee before being named president in 1984. During that time, he initiated a fundraising campaign for turfgrass research and other USGA projects and was instrumental in bringing the 1989 U.S. Open to Oak Hill in Rochester, New York.
He was a benefactor to many charitable causes in New York and Vermont.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 2005.
Survivors include sons Jim (Marilyn) and John (Kimet), as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in the spring at Ekwanok Country Club in Manchester, Vermont.
