George S. May (June 5, 1890 — March 12, 1962) was an American businessman who became a hero to the game of golf.
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Early career
George S May was born into a rural Illinois farming family on June 5th 1890. After graduating college, he left his boyhood home to find work in a slowing economy. His first job out of college was selling bibles around the country. Eventually his mechanical and technical understanding led him to finding full time work with a farming equipment company. Over the next decade George S. May lost his full time job, and did a variety of short term consulting projects to make ends meet.
George S. May International Company
In 1924 he had a wife, and a family to take care of so he went into business for himself. He started by mailing Chicago Businesses a resume highlighting his knowledge, and experience solving business problems. His first consulting project was with the Chicago Flexible Shaft Company, now known as Sunbeam-Oster (NYSE symbol SOC). The first day of the consulting project was February 1, 1925 and out of this the business consulting company George S. May International Company was born. This company is now an international company helping small to large businesses with their management needs.
Involvement in Golf
George played a major role in popularizing the game of golf. In the 1940s and 1950s he was the pre-eminent golf promoter in the world, staging a number of annual tournaments at his country club, Tam O'Shanter Golf Course, located in Niles, Illinois. While George S. May was a golfer, he became more interested in the business behind the game, not just the playing of the game. Mr. May became known for his keen business insights, promotional flair, innovative ideas and vision for the future of golf. From 1941 to 1958, May played host to the game's greatest players for the 10 days each year at his Tam O'Shanter Country Club in Niles, Ill.
Awards
George S May is listed as one of Golf magazine's 100 Heroes of American Golf. There is also a chapter written about him in "Chicago Golf: The First 100 Years” by Tom Govedarica. The chapter is entitled “The George S. May Decade: 1951-1960.” The Illinois Golfers Associate (PGA) inducted him into their hall of fame on October 9, 1992, and awarded him a plaque. He earned the awards by incorporating unique ideas to popularize the game of golf.
Popularizing the Sport
George S May’s is well known for popularizing the game of golf in the 1950’s. His skill of business sense, and observation helped him turn golf into a spectators sport. He is known for incorporating many "firsts" in golf’s history.
These include:
• Broadcasting the game on television for the first time in 1953 at the Tom O’Shanter Golf Course.
• Offering an unheard of $50,000 dollar grand prize to attract professional golfers.
• Incorporated the use of short wave radios on the field to update the scores live.
• Using bleachers on the field at key spots.
• Ticket holders were allowed to access the clubhouse.
• Introduced golf carts to all members of the club.
• Incorporated monthly minimums for club members.
• Installed telephones at each tee for club members to use.
Quote
George S. May died on March 12, 1962, at the age of 71. In an interview in the 1940s, George S. May noted:
"I don't believe too much in looking back. If you've done well, you're too inclined to become smug. If you've done poorly, you're inclined to become discouraged. Keep looking ahead - yesterday's done with - think about today and tomorrow."[1]
References
- George S May Bio [1]
- George S May Company History [2]
- George and Golf [3]
- Tam O'Shanter Page [4]
- America in Golf [5]
- When Was Golf First Televised [6]
External links
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