Duke Butler — Texas Golf Hall of Fame

Inducted in 1986 for his promotion of the game, Duke Butler is just as devoted today as he was when he served as the Executive Director of Houston Golf Association from 1978 through 1991.

A respectable player, he was medalist in the Texas State Junior at Brackenridge Park in 1966, a member of the 1969 Southwest Conference Championship team for Texas A&M and played in a few PGA TOUR tournaments before becoming the youngest Tournament Director of a TOUR event, at age 29, for the Houston Open in 1978. He had previously earned an excellent reputation as a former charity scholarship recipient from the Houston Golf Association. While there, he was named PGA of America's Junior Golf Leader and Southern Texas PGA Professional of the Year in 1990.

PGA TOUR Commissioner Deane Beman recruited Butler to his staff as Tournament Director in 1992, and he later was promoted to Senior Vice President under Commissioner Tim Finchem.

He was President of the Frys.com Open PGA TOUR tournament in California, and continues to direct tournaments in Florida, for he simply loves promoting the game for the benefit of charity. Butler currently serves as a director for the Jacksonville Area Golf Association

Birthplace: Bryan, Texas

Born: October 12, 1948