DETROIT –Linda Lester, a member of the Golf Association of Michigan Board of Governors since 1998 and a devoted rules official and supporter of junior golf, has been presented the Jean Dodds Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s District Golf Association.
Lester, a WDGA board member and past president (1997-98) and highly regarded rules official for the GAM and the United States Golf Association as well as the Michigan Section of the PGA, received the award week from Jeanne Myers, who received the award in 2005.
“Linda has thrown herself into the study of The Rules of Golf, attending a USGA/PGA Rules of Golf Workshop almost every year for the last 12 years,” Myers said. “I think it was in her second year she tried to memorize the entire Decisions Book. She has become one of the highest ranking rules officials in the United States, and has worked many of the USGA’s national championships.”
Lester served on the USGA Girls’ Championship Committee for many years, and also on the USGA Women’s Committee and has directed and worked rules for several Michigan qualifiers for USGA championships. The NCAA has also benefitted from Lester’s rules work. She has been the Official in Charge of Division I, II and III regionals as well as national championship tournaments.
In addition, Lester also works with the Michigan Section of the PGA and officiates at those events across the state as well.
“Almost all of this has been volunteer work, and I know she has made an outstanding contribution to the game of golf in Michigan,” Myers said. “She is a worthy recipient of this wonderful award.”
