Grant Spaeth. He was a letter winner on the 1952, 1953 and 1954 teams and a member of the 1953 National Championship team. Grant was inducted into the Northern California Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2011 which included the following tribute to him.

Grant Spaeth's lifelong impact on golf actually is the reverse – the game impacted him and never let go. From his NCAA team title at Stanford in 1953 to his eventful years from 1990 to ’92 as president of the United States Golf Association, Spaeth’s contribution to the game continued throughout his life. Simply, Spaeth was born to serve the game. Through it all, Spaeth’s affection for the game remained rich.

He was a graduate of Palo Alto High and the son of the Dean of the Stanford Law School. While his father was stationed in Montevideo, Uruguay, Spaeth was introduced to golf on a course across the street from his home. Later as a teenager, he caddied for the Stanford golf team, and it wasn’t too long before he and his Stanford teammates became national champions.

Spaeth graduated from the Harvard Law School and served in the U.S. Army followed by the Reserves. His law practice in Palo Alto was the foundation to years of public service. Spaeth was the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare from 1978 to ’80 and also served as a Palo Alto city councilman.

Then came years of work on various USGA committees, leading to his USGA presidency and a list of accomplishments to remember. He may have been the best reach-out-to-people person who ever filled the USGA president’s chair. Spaeth was instrumental in bringing the British Open back to Carnoustie, Scotland. He founded the U.S. Men’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Mid-Amateur Championships. He created the USGA’s regional affairs departments.

On Sunday mornings before the final round of the Masters, he often walked Augusta National’s back nine alone, savoring the memories and the promise of what was ahead. Closer to home, he entertained TV viewers on “Hooked on Golf” with his articulate, entertaining and informative essays on the game and its rules. “I want more people exposed to the game,” he said recently. “Those who take to it will be lucky and should be thankful.” The Northern California Golf Association is proud and honored to induct Grant Spaeth to its Hall of Fame.

Grant Spaeth passed on July 28, 2020 at the age of 88.
Obituaries: USGA | Golf Digest | SF Chronicle | Palo Alto Online
Oral History Transcript: Stanford historical society