The friendship between Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley (left) and USGA president Stu Francis goes back to 1974. Photos: Courtesy Augusta National and the USGA
In 2020, J. Stuart (“Stu”) Francis became the 66th president of the USGA. When he was introduced by his predecessor, Mark Newell said, “that in addition to his exemplary service to the USGA, Stu can hit the center of the club face.”
In 2017, Fred Ridley became the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club. He had been the 58th USGA president and another one who could find the center of the clubface more often than not.
A few days before the start of the 1974 U.S. Amateur Championship they formed a lasting friendship when they played a practice round together at Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey, site of this year’s amateur.
Stu Francis in 1974 Photo: Courtesy Stu Francis
Francis was born and raised in Madison, Ohio. After marrying, he lived in New York City for a few years before moving to the San Francisco Bay area in 1980. But prior to embarking on a caree…
