Inducted, 1991

Steve Dunford died an early and untimely death at the age of 56, but in those years he packed a full lifetime of service and accomplishments into the game he loved.

While the Utah Golf Association existed in some form or other since 1898, it didn't become formally incorporated until Steve Dunford came on the scene. He became its president, a position he held for 14 years, and then was full time general manager of the UGA for another three years until his sudden and unexpected passing.

During those years Dunford did everything he could to put Utah in the national mainstream of golf. He promoted and helped bring to Utah several major tournaments from the then fledgling PGA Tour. Most of the great players of the era came to Salt Lake City for those tournaments, including Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Bobby Locke, Ed Furgol, Lloyd Mangrum, Jimmy Demaret, Cary Middlecoff, Lew Worsham, Julius Boros, and Billy Casper.

Those tournaments were well attended and widely publicized and brought an increased public awareness about golf to Utahns. The natural surge in interest resulted in the construction of many new golf courses throughout the state.

Steve was a member of The Country Club, but led out in taking the Utah Golf Association to the public courses. He felt golf was for everyone. He, along with George Marks, helped establish a fair handicap system for Utah golfers, and was responsible for encouraging the organization of junior and women's golf programs. He was instrumental in the success and growth of the Utah State Amateur and the Utah Open.

The persuasive power of his personality kept many projects alive and well long after they had been pronounced dead by others.

When Steve died in 1969, Hack Miller, of The Deseret News, wrote, "Steve had done more for the organizational side of Utah golf than any other person."

He was born in Salt Lake City on July 25, 1912 and married Mae Christensen. They had seven children, Larry, Craig, Jayne, Mrs. David (Kay) Thomas, James, Steven, and Christopher.

He graduated from LDS High School in 1929 and Utah State University in 1933. He was president of Dunford Bakeries, a wholesale and retail bakery he jointly owned with his brothers.

What is the power of one individual ? We can see and know and still fee the effects of Steve Dunford's efforts. What would golf be like in Utah if he had lived longer? Have we filled his shoes? In some ways, sure; but it is also certain that golf in Utah would be better if Steve had been able to live longer.

Jack Schroeder, of The Salt Lake Tribune, wrote, "Steve Dunford's monument is the dignity, grace, and style that he brought to golf in Utah. His reward was not in money, but in the building of an ideal." Utah golf is the beneficiary.