To: USGA Committees and Staff
From: David Fay, Executive Director
Date: April 3, 1997
Subject: Resignation of Dean Knuth

It is with great regret that I inform you that Dean Knuth, our Senior Director of Handicapping, GHIN and Green Section Administration, has resigned his position effective June 3. Dean is moving to San Diego to become Managing Director of Inter-National Research Institute (INRI) which developes Command and Control software for the U. S. Military services. The San Diego office of 140 employees is where the company's advanced and prototype systems development and IR&D is conducted.

In the nearly 16 years that Dean has been on the USGA staff he has initiated many projects for the USGA that have benefited the game of golf. He was the first full-time USGA Handicap Department employee and may be best known as the developer of the USGA Slope Rating System (The "Pope of Slope") which is now in place nationwide and is being implemented in many parts of the world.

Dean has a long list of other accomplishments to his credit. He dramatically improved our scoring system at our three Open Championships, developed Junior Par for kids and the USGA Pace Rating System. He helped develop the USGA'a Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) and played an active role in our expanded turfgrass and environmental research program. While he served as Director of Regional Affairs, Dean created a Women's Regional Affairs staff position.

In more recent years he developed the USGA's Web Page and played a key role in the computerization of a greater number of regional and state golf associations. His ideas have touched just about every activity at the USGA.

Dean will be working with Kevin O'Connor the next two months in turning over both the Handicap and GHIN duties to him. Kevin previously was Director of Handicapping and Course Rating for the Northern California Golf Association before joining the USGA staff in 1995 as Manager of GHIN Regional Association Services.

I know all of you join me in thanking Dean for his valuable service to the USGA and wishing him all the best in a new, exciting endeavor.