Distinguished Honoree

"Wally Uihlein's impact upon the business of golf over nearly three decades is a success story that has resulted in serving the needs of players of all abilities," says PGA President Roger Warren.

Acushnet chairman and chief executive officer Wally Uihlein, long-time senior executive of one of the world's foremost sport equipment companies and a respected industry statesman, has been named recipient of the 2005 PGA Distinguished Service Award.

A native of Haverhill, Mass., the 55-year-old Uihlein (pronounced "U-Line") will be honored this week, at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J. The ceremony is in conjunction with the 87th PGA Championship.

"Wally Uihlein's impact upon the business of golf over nearly three decades is a success story that has resulted in serving the needs of players of all abilities," says PGA President Roger Warren.

"Wally combines an unparalleled work ethic and love of the game that is a bonus for our industry."

The PGA Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1988, honors outstanding Americans who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.

Uihlein earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1973 from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and completed graduate courses in business management at Suffolk University in Boston. He was a sales representative for Dunlop and also spent two years in the PGA apprentice program.

In 1976, Uihlein's life changed again.

He joined Acushnet as a regional sales representative in its Titleist Golf Division, working for a company that at the time reported $55 million in sales and an operating income of $5 million. Within a year, Uihlein became national sales manager. Named vice president of sales and distribution in 1982, he took over as chairman and chief executive officer in May 2000.

In 2004, Acushnet earned $1.2 billion in sales, an operating income of $153.8 million and employed 4,500. Acushnet sales now reach Canada, South Africa, Asia and Europe.

In addition to his leadership of the Acushnet Company, Uihlein also has contributed many professional and personal hours to junior golf, through his commitment and involvement with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) for more than 25 years.

"As chairman and chief executive officer of the Acushnet Company, a company with a long history of commitment to The PGA of America, I am both appreciative and flattered in being selected to receive the 2005 PGA Distinguished Service Award," says Uihlein.

He says that his career inspiration came while working, off and on, as an assistant in golf shops from age 14 to 24.

During that time, he met the late Jim Kernohan, a sales representative for Titleist.

"To be like Jim Kernohan was all I ever wanted to be," says Uihlein. "Jim Kernohan was my role model. But a lot of admiration I had for Jim was because of the respect that I saw Jim receiving from people who were important to me, PGA Professionals."

Uihlein and his wife, Tina Marlowe Uihlein, live in North Dartmouth, Mass., and are the parents of sons Jonathan and Peter.