"To Frank, Golf was always a Game, and the Amateur golfer was its foundation."

Ron Read was a longtime USGA employee who worked under Frank Hannigan. And while we've heard a lot about Frank's writings and contributions to the game, it's nice to hear from someone who worked under Frank and can speak to his management style.

Read writes:

He surrounded himself with “golf
people” who were passionate about serving the Game. His instructions
were minimal. He was not effusive in expressing gratitude for the long and
dedicated hours spent. We did not require it. We knew we had his
confidence.

Some thought Frank lacked diplomacy and was too direct. It was also an
asset. People knew exactly where he stood, and they trusted him.

To Frank, Golf was always a Game, and the Amateur golfer was its 
foundation. He once suggested to me that if the expected “great
earthquake” along the San Andreas Fault occurred during the old “Crosby”,
and the Monterey Peninsula fell into the Pacific, there would still be 30
million golfers enjoying golf on the mainland. The Game, played by
Amateurs, was always will be bigger than its stars in Frank’s world.

A service will be held April 26th at 1 pm for Frank in Saugerties, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood or your local no-kill dog shelter.