The International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) has named a Senior Managing Director of the United States Golf Association the 2015 recipient of the prestigious Schroeder Award. Dr. Randon (Rand) Jerris will be formally recognized during ISHA’s “An Evening of Champions” on October 22, 2015, as part of ISHA’s annual conference, hosted this year by the World of Little League Museum, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Presented periodically, the W.R. “Bill” Schroeder Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor presented by the International Sports Heritage Association and is given to individuals for meritorious service of lasting nature in the sports heritage industry and their communities.
“Dr. Jerris has distinguished himself as a leader of the USGA museum and as a golf historian,” said ISHA President Marjorie Snyder. “His passion, dedication, and expertise transformed the USGA Museum and has positioned it as model we can all aspire to. I can think of no one who is more deserving of this honor.”
Dr. Randon Jerris: Dr. Jerris holds a B.A. in Geology (1991) and an M.A. in Art History and Museum Studies (1994) from Williams College, and an M.A. in Art and Archaeology (1996) and a Ph.D. in Art and Archaeology (1999) from Princeton University. He has authored three books: Golf’s Golden Age: Robert T. Jones Jr. and the Legendary Players of the ‘10s, ‘20s, and ‘30s; The Game of Golf and the Printed Word: 1566-2005, with co-author Richard E. Donovan; and The Historical Dictionary of Golf, with co-author Bill Mallon. For his work with Donovan, Jerris was awarded the Murdoch Medal by the British Golf Collectors Society in recognition of outstanding contributions to the game’s history.
Dr. Jerris joined the USGA’s staff in a part-time capacity from 1988 through 1996, became the Association’s librarian and historian in 1999 and was named director of the Museum in 2002. He led the efforts for the design and new construction of the 33,000 square foot Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History and oversaw the renovation of the original Museum structure. Today as the United States Golf Association’s senior managing director for public services, Rand Jerris oversees a variety of functions, including facilities management, Green Section, philanthropy and grants, strategic and operational planning, and the USGA Museum. He remains active in researching and promoting the history of the game, focused on golf course architecture, golf art and the history of golf in the Alps.