ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – The whole lot about John Reginald “Reg” Murphy was authentic — the best way he navigated a profession in journalism and advocacy into management posts at some essentially the most influential publications within the nation, the best way he pivoted to a lifetime of philanthropy and, lastly, to his ardour for golf.
Murphy died Nov. 9 at age 90.
A Georgia native, Murphy’s path to golf was completely unorthodox. In early 1974, Murphy was the editorial web page editor of The Atlanta Structure when he was kidnapped by a proclaimed member of the American Revolutionary Military. His kidnapper, William Williams, who referred to as himself The Colonial, mentioned the Military’s objective was to cease what he perceived as falsehoods unfold by newspapers in America
Murphy referred to as the newspaper’s editor, Jim Minter, to inform him he had been kidnapped. “Properly, you then’re in a helluva form, Reg. Nobody’s going to pay something for you,” Minter laughed earlier than hanging up, based on a number of stories of the incident.
Murphy was launched after 49 hours of captivity within the trunk of his captor’s automotive in change for 2 suitcases stuffed with $700,000. Williams was arrested shortly after Murphy had been launched however the trauma from the kidnapping prompted him to show to golf as a therapeutic launch, forging a path to an unequalled legacy within the recreation.
In 1994, Murphy was elected the 54th president of the USGA and through his two one-year phrases he’s credited for negotiating a then-unprecedented 20-year broadcast rights take care of NBC. Previous to turning into president of the affiliation, he additionally chaired the influential championship committee.
Murphy’s spouse, Diana, turned president of the USGA in 2016, making the duo the one husband-and-wife tandem to ever function the affiliation’s president.
“The USGA, and the individuals who play and love the sport of golf, are higher off due to Reg’s dedication, ardour and management,” mentioned USGA CEO Mike Whan.
Murphy left The Atlanta Structure to grow to be editor and writer of the San Francisco Examiner after which the writer and CEO of The Baltimore Solar. But it surely was his second profession that was actually prolific. He joined the Nationwide Geographic Society within the early Nineties earlier than turning into the Society’s president and CEO in 1996.
Even into retirement, Murphy continued to impression lives serving on quite a few boards, together with the College of Maryland’s Faculty of Journalism, and he was appointed the executive-in-residence on the Faculty of Coastal Georgia’s Faculty of Enterprise and Public Administration.
Tuesday at St. Simons Presbyterian Church – which is situated simply exterior the gate to Sea Island Golf Membership, host of this week’s RSM Basic – Murphy’s life was celebrated by his household and pals, together with former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, and a group that appreciated each authentic step he took.
