Class of 2012

David Price

Golf Professional / Teacher

Biography

David developed his golf game on the golf teams for Odessa Permian High School and later for the University of Texas, where his golf team won back-to-back national championships in 1971-1972. That team was led by well-known players, Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite. Following graduation, his coach and great mentor, George Hannon, encouraged him to pursue a career as a golf professional. Graduating with a degree in Finance in 1972, he began his professional career as an Assistant Professional at Houston Country Club. David vividly remembers charging $5.00 for his first golf lesson and then having to share half of it with the head professional as part of their agreement. However, at that moment, he recognized that his desire to learn more about the golf swing and the game he loved would lead him on a lifelong career in the business of golf.

On March 22, 1985 David began his term as the Head Golf Professional at Bent Tree Country Club. He recalls that key factors in his selection were his keen knowledge of the handicap system and his pioneering efforts in computerizing handicap scores as well as his experience in conducting PGA Tour events, a necessary requirement with the forthcoming Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am at Bent Tree. A couple of years later, David was invited to be one of 15 PGA Golf Professionals to write the first tournament manual for the PGA with his emphasis being computerized handicapping.

In 1986, the PGA of America invited David to join their Rules Committee. Over the years, David climbed up the ranks and served as the Chairman of the Rules Committee for four years, completing his tenure in December of 2012. In this capacity, David has officiated in over 80 major championships: The Masters, The Ryder Cup, The U. S. Open, The British Open and the PGA Championship. He also conducts rules workshops for and by the PGA of America, and represented the PGA of America on the USGA’s Rules of Golf Committee during the rewriting of the USGA rules book in 2016.

David was selected to the PGA of America Hall of Fame in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in 2000, but the highlight of his career and his proudest moment was in 1995 when he was honored as the Golf Professional of the Year by the PGA of America.

David has worked with and mentored a large number of golf enthusiasts who have aspired to grow and prosper as golf professionals. He is proud to have guided 21 of his assistants to become Head Golf Professionals, and one of them became the women's golf coach at the University of Texas.

David says that the greatest joy in life has been the family he and his wife of 42 years, Dale Ann, raised. David deeply cherishes his family and has enjoyed many wonderful sports-related activities with all of them.

Birthplace: Bryan, Texas

Born: October 8, 1949

Legacy Video

Inductee Highlights

1971 and 1972 University of Texas National Champion Golf Team
1987 - Present - PGA of America Rules of Golf Committee
1987 - Present - Officiated 38 PGA Championships, 3 Senior PGA Championships, 17 Masters Tournaments, 10 Ryder Cup Matches, 4 Open Championships, 5 U.S. Open Championships, 1 U.S. Women's Open, 3 KPMG Women's PGA Championships, and 7 NCAA Men's Championships.
1995 - PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year
2000 - PGA of America Hall of Fame
2009-2012 Chairman, PGA of America Rules Committee
2012 - 2015 USGA Rules of Golf Committee

National Titles and Hall of Fame Teammates

David Price played golf at the University of Texas under legendary coach George Hannon, where he was a member of two NCAA National Championship teams. He competed alongside an extraordinary group of teammates, including Texas Golf Hall of Fame members Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Brent Buckman, and Chip Stewart, contributing to one of the most successful eras in Longhorn golf history.

Sharpies - not just for Scoreboards and Autographs!

While penmanship with Sharpies is very important in the golf business, David shares his first interview experience with the renowned PGA Professional and fellow Texas Golf Hall of Fame Member, Hardy Loudermilk.

Officiating aroud the World at Major Championships

David Price has officiated at an impressive array of major golf championships throughout his long career. Between his tenure, which began in the late 1980s, and his service on the Rules Committee (2008–2012), he worked 38 PGA Championships, 17 Masters Tournaments, 10 Ryder Cups, five British Opens, five U.S. Opens, one U.S. Women's Open and three KPMG PGA Women's Championships and 7 NCAA Championships.

1995 PGA Professional of the Year

In 1995, David Price, then serving as the Head Golf Professional at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, was honored by the PGA of America as Golf Professional of the Year. This prestigious national award recognized his exceptional leadership at his facility, involvement in PGA governance, and unwavering commitment to teaching, rules administration, and professional development within the golf industry.

Family Keepsake

David's father, Howard Price, was the Quarterback of Texas A&M’s only national championship football team in 1939. That historic squad, coached by Homer Norton, went undefeated and remains a legendary part of Aggie lore.

Keepsake Ring

In 1995, David Price was honored as the PGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest recognition given by the PGA of America to a club professional. The award celebrated his excellence in leadership, service to the game, and dedication to mentoring others in the profession. As part of the honor, David received a distinctive ring that holds deep personal meaning, symbolizing not only his individual achievement but also the respect and admiration of his peers across the golf industry. 30 Years later it still fits!

Keepsake from 2012 Ryder Cup

David Price served as the Chief Referee for the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, overseeing the team of officials and ensuring the matches were conducted smoothly and in accordance with the Rules of Golf.