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Garey Chadwick Receives UGA Volunteer of the Year Award

Pictured: Garey Chadwick (left) and Sherm Hatfield (right)

By Megan Terry, Programs Administrator

The Utah Golf Association would not be able to provide its members and member clubs with the quality and quantity of services without the tireless efforts of volunteers. It is our pleasure to announce past UGA president, former UGA board member, and 40-year volunteer Garey Chadwick as the third annual Volunteer of the Year.

Chadwick was first introduced to golf when he started working as a caddy at Ogden Golf and Country Club at the age of 10. However, caddying was the extent of his golfing experience until later in life when he married his wife, Elaine. Garey and Elaine were married on May 23, 1958. They have four children, Doug, Cherie, Kent, and Robert, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

Soon after their wedding day, Chadwick purchased his first set of golf clubs and later bought Elaine a set as well. She eventually joined the Bountiful Springs Ladies Golf Association at Lakeside Golf Course before deciding golf was not for her. Garey stuck with it and grew to love the game, but before Elaine, he focused on sports such as baseball and basketball. In fact, he lettered three years in baseball while attending Weber High School.

Following high school, Garey spent 11 years in the U.S. Army Reserve where he worked as an ammunition sergeant among other jobs. He served six months on active duty, four of which were in El Paso, TX, at Fort Bliss. After his years in in the Army Reserve, Chadwick began installing chain-link fences for American Fence Company. After one summer working for the fencing company, he began a career selling windows, doors, and hardware to residential and commercial real estate. He continued this career with multiple companies in the same industry until his retirement in 2008.

Garey has a very impressive resume when it comes to his time with the Utah Golf Association. He has been a tournament volunteer for more than 40 years, served 12 years on the Board of Directors and was president of the UGA for two years from 1986-1987. He also served on the USGA Public Links Committee for 19 years.

In addition to his UGA and USGA responsibilities, Chadwick has been an active junior golf volunteer for many years and was president of the Utah Junior Golf Association (UJGA). He served as the captain of the Junior America’s Cup team for 10 years, the Hogan Cup team for nine years and was the recipient of the UGA Gold Club Award in 1995. He also received the Utah Section PGA Presidential Service Award in 2014. The UJGA has since honored Garey by creating the Garey Chadwick Division for boys ages 9-10 and the Chadwick Tournament of Champions.

“He has gained and earned the respect of different golf organizations and people all over Utah,” stated past UGA president, current volunteer, and close friend Sherm Hatfield. “I appreciate all that he has done for me and for Utah golf, and I think that most people feel the same.”

The UGA is truly honored to have volunteers like Garey. These volunteers allow the UGA to fulfill its mission to promote interest in the game of golf by encouraging, organizing, supporting, sponsoring, and administering golfing activities and programs.

The annual presentation of the UGA Volunteer of the Year will take place on Wednesday, January 18th at Alpine Country Club beginning at 6 p.m. Other awards to be highlighted include the UGA Gold Club Award and the 2016 UGA Player of the Year Awards.

Please RSVP by calling the UGA office at 801-563-0400 by Friday, January 13th at 4 p.m.