Almost a quarter-century as director of golf at The Broadmoor (1941-63) after a most distinguished career on the PGA trail stamped soft-spoken native Georgian Ed Dudley more a Coloradan than a Southerner. During his tenure at the Colorado Springs course, Dudley’s frequent golfing companions included President Eisenhower and many Hollywood celebrities.
Dudley’s first of 15 PGA Tour wins came in the 1929 California Open, though his best in a major came with third-place showings in the 1937 Masters and the 1932 PGA Championship. “Big Ed” earned berths on three U.S. Ryder Cup teams.
Dudley also served as the first head professional at Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters.
The esteem in which Dudley was held was evidenced by his service as PGA of America president from 1942 through 1948. He also served many terms as chairman of the PGA Tournament Committee, was honorary captain of the 1949 Ryder Cup team and was voted in the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 1964.
