Werner Voted Into SD Golf Hall

Lexington resident Rick Werner was recently voted into the South Dakota Golf Association Hall of Fame.

Born and raised in Huron, S.D., Werner graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1973. That same year, he won the South Dakota Amateur Championship and the College Conference Title and was named NCAA All-American. Werner competed in 10 national championships, including two PGAs, one NCAA championship and seven National Club Professional Championships. In addition to winning several Pro-Am Tournaments in Southern Florida, Werner also won the Ohio PGA Sectional Title in 1979.

Werner served as a teaching professional at the prestigious Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y. and as director of golf at the Country Club of Ashland (Ohio). He retired as director of golf after 23 years at Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, Fla. He was also the associate men’s golf coach at Washington and Lee University for five years.

Over the years, Werner played numerous rounds of golf with Hall of Famers Gene Sarazen and Ken Venturi. He also spent quality time with golf notables Byron Nelson, Jackie Burke Jr., Charlie Sifford and many others.

To enhance his teaching skills, Werner spent a lot of time with such famous golf instructors as John Jacobs, Jim McLean, David Leadbetter, Hank Haney, Davis Love Jr., Bob Toski, Jim Flick and others.

The induction is set for Sept. 14 in Sioux Falls, S.D.