Inducted, 1991

George Marks is Utah's P.J. Boatright and Joe Dey. In essence, he's Utah's Mr. Golf.

From 1966 through 1982 he served in various capacities with the Utah Golf Association and was instrumental in developing and directing the UGA into the productive organization it has become.

He is known throughout the state for his expertise on the rules, and is recognized as one of the pre-eminent rules officials in the nation. He has served as a rules official at the U.S. Open for nearly 20 years, as well as many other USGA national championships.

While his rules experience gave him visibility, perhaps his most significant contribution came in the behind the scenes development of the UGA handicap system. From the early period of hand calculations through to the modem era of computers, George Marks has been at the center of handicap policy and procedure.

In addition to the handicap program Marks played major roles in developing and improving other UGA programs such as the Utah Open, the Utah State Amateur, the UGA Women's Tournament, and the Four-Man Team competition. He was also one of the founders of the Pacific Coast Golf Association.

The combination of his achievements and character earned him the honor of being selected as the first recipient of the Utah Golf Association's Gold Club Award in 1988.
The inscription of the award was written to fit the first recipient and says, "Presented annually to an individual who through singular achievement or unselfish service has contributed significantly to the history and tradition of the game of golf in Utah, and whose personal integrity, sportsmanship, common courtesy, loyalty, and friendship earn him the love and respect of his fellow golfers."

He has served on many committees for the United States Golf Association and has been Utah's link with the USGA for many years.

He was born in Worland, Wyoming on January 27,1920, graduated from the University of Denver in 1941, and served in the Navy from 1942 through 1946.

He moved to Utah in 1951 and immediately became involved in golf on a volunteer basis. He was President of Willow Creek Country Club in 1968 and Vice-President of The Country Club in 1989.

He served on the UGA Board of Directors beginning in 1966, and was Executive Secretary and Director from 1969 through 1982.

He is married to Phyllis Spurrier and they have three children, Harlow, Jerry, and Diana, deceased.

Kindness is his nature. His soft-spoken, gracious manner has earned him the nickname among his close friends of 'Gentle George.'