Getting to Know 2018 SGANC President Ed Reeder

A native Texan, Ed Reeder’s exposure to golf came early.  Reeder’s father was a sports fan and a recreational golfer who each year took him to the Colonial Invitational tournament.  Reeder still has memories of seeing Ben Hogan playing.

“One of my brothers actually played a hole with Hogan at Shady Oaks,” Reeder recalled. “Hogan was in his late 60s.  Hogan hit the fairway, then the green, picked up the ball and said “I don’t putt much anymore.”

Reeder played golf occasionally until college, where he obtained a degree in accounting.  Yet he’d never practice accounting, instead becoming a computer programmer and eventually retiring as an executive with a software company. Due to work and family obligations, Reeder didn’t play much golf for about 25 years.

As a result of his work, Reeder and his family moved across the U.S.  He’s now been in Granite Bay for 20 years, the longest stay of all.

“We really like California and the friends we have here,” said Reeder, who’s also resided in among other areas Portland and Chapel Hill in North Carolina.

Several years ago he accompanied a brother on a round of golf, simply driving the cart (and drinking beer), and once more got the golfing bug and was bitten hard.  He has an extensive golf library, with nearly every book written about Ben Hogan, and vacations now typically center around golf.

“Two of my brothers are scratch golfers,” said Reeder, whose wife Kathy also greatly enjoys the game. “I’ve been to Scotland multiple times, and even Italy to play golf.”

What are you looking forward to as SGANC President?

Continuing the excellent work of my predecessors.  The people who have come before me, going back to 1929, have done incredible jobs, taking their work seriously and the organization reflects their efforts.  Hopefully we can grow a bit and remain a valuable and fun organization for our members.

How did you first get started with golf?

My father belonged to Ridglea CC in Fort Worth whose head pro was Raymond Gafford [Gafford was a character, a high stakes gambler, and a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame].  When I was in about the 8th grade I took a few lessons and started playing.  [My grandfather was a professional baseball player and he had a set of wooden shafted clubs given to him by Hillerich & Bradsby.  When I was about 8 years old my brother and I cut the shafts down so we could play with them.  I wish we still had those clubs.]

What is your greatest golf memory or moment?

Playing golf in Scotland for the first time.  From the pure joy of North Berwick to the history of the Old Course it was special.

Anything you would change with the game?

Simplification of the rules, which is coming, and improving pace of play.

What is your favorite course and why?

Granite Bay Golf Club.  It NEVER gets old and it tests every club in your bag.

What courses are still on your wish list?

How long do we have?

Who was your biggest golf influence?

My next-younger brother.  He continues to live and breathe golf.   As a professional I would have to say Ben Hogan. He was a man of high integrity and much kinder than is given credit.

What is your favorite golf book?

While I’m fond of anything that Bernard Darwin or Mark Frost has written I have to say “Tommy’s Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf’s Founding Father and Son” by Kevin Cook.  It was recommended by a friend who has over 250 golf books in his library.  It was his favorite and I have to agree.

What do you enjoy doing besides golf?

Spending time with my wife, reading, and cooking.  I’m a bread baker and an adventurous cook.