Aberdonian who played leading part in spread of golf in United States

Tom Bendelow's name being frozen

out of World Golf Hall of Fame   

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
It seems that past United States president George H W Bush is considered worthy of a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame - but not so Aberdeen-born Tom Bendelow, pictured, a pioneer in the designing of golf courses all over North America after he emigated to the States in the 1890s.
Tom's American grandson Stuart Bendelow has worked tirelessly for many years to gain recognition for his grandfather whose part in the development of golf in America has been largely ignored by the historians and bodies such as those who run the World Golf Hall of Golf.

Stuart Bendelow has sent me the following E-mail:

Here's a status report on the effort to get Tom Bendelow into the World Golf Hall of Fame (WGHOF) in St.Augustine, Florida.
In an E-mail I received on October 26, 2010 from Mark Cubbedge of the WGHOF, I was informed that,
"Tom Bendelow was not officially nominated during the most recent balloting process. As you know names have to be put forth via the Lifetime Achievement nominatiion form that goes to the International Voting Body."
Apparently none of the authorised parties or individuals who could submit his name in nomination did so or their submission was rejected. I don't know which. The entire process seems to me to be very controlled and secretive.
It has been made very clear to me that I cannot put forth Tom Bendelow's name nor his achievements for the WGHOF's consideration. It must come from a WGHOF recognised source.
The 2010 inductees to the WGHOF will be installed in May 2011. Former President George H. W. Bush will be inducted in the Lifetime Achievement Category. In 2009, the inductee for Lifetime Achievement was former President Eisenhower.
It would be quite fitting to get Tom into the WGHOF prior to the 2012 Ryder Cup Tournament to be played at Medinah Country Club (one of the many courses Tom Bendelow designed).
I believe the documentation of Tom Bendelow's golf career sufficiently supports his qualifications for induction into the WGHOF.
We just need a qualified individual or party to place his name in nomination in time for the WGHOF's selection of the 2012 class. That selection process will probably take place in the early months of 2011.
I have greatly appreciated the support and encouragement many of you have given me over the years. I hope we can work together to clear this last hurdle.
Best regards to all.
Stuart Bendelow