MGA Mourns the Loss of Tony Wimpfheimer
It is with deep regret that the Metropolitan Golf Association announces the passing of C. A. “Tony” Wimpfheimer, one of the MGA's longest standing and most influential volunteer leaders. Tony passed away on August 10 in Jupiter, Florida at the age of 92.
C.A. “Tony” Wimpfheimer, 1928-2020, was one of the most active, involved, and dedicated supporters of the MGA and MGA Foundation. A man of great ideas, and a man of action, it would be impossible to calculate the number of hours that Tony volunteered on numerous MGA and USGA Committees to advance the game of golf in the Met Area, and how hard he worked to uphold the game’s integrity and time-honored traditions through his support of all the MGA Foundation initiatives.
After a successful career in publishing as Vice President at Random House, Mr. Wimpfheimer donated much of his time to a variety of charitable causes; golf and the MGA were at the forefront of those efforts. He started volunteering with the Association in 1984 as an active member of both the Communications and Tournament Committees. He used his publishing expertise to play a key role in the creation of the MGA's official magazine, The Met Golfer. During the magazine’s early years he served as a volunteer editor, proofing copy, assigning articles and helping create the standard of excellence that has been the magazine's hallmark over many years. He continued to be an active member of the magazine's editorial board until the time of his death.
He was also a leader with the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association and was instrumental in making their annual National Awards Dinner one of the highlights of the local golf calendar. Over the years, the dinner has raised more than $2 million dollars for the local caddie scholarship funds and the MGA's charitable foundation – Tony chaired the Dinner Committee from 1992 to 1999 and also served as the organization's president for three years. The Golf Writers honored him with its Winnie Palmer Award in 2012. The award, named for Arnold Palmer’s wife, “acknowledges an individual who has consistently given their time, energy and enthusiasm to those less fortunate.”
An active member of the USGA Communications Committee for many years and a fixture at many national Championships, Mr. Wimpfheimer also served on the MGA’s Executive Committee for nine years, chairing the Communications Committee and playing an active role in a number of other areas. Perhaps his most lasting legacy will be the role he played in creating and supporting the MGA's charitable Foundation. Tony's expertise and experience with a variety of philanthropic causes played a key role in helping launch the Foundation in 1991. He helped formulate many of the MGA Foundation’s innovative junior programs such as GOLFWORKS and the Caddie Academies and he remained passionate about golf's ability to have a positive influence on the lives of young people throughout his life.
Tony also served on the MGA Centennial Committee and was instrumental in helping to formulate many of the special activities planned for the MGA’s 100th Anniversary celebration in 1997. This included overseeing the production of the MGA’s hugely successful Centennial Book, Golf Clubs of the MGA.
In 1996 the MGA was pleased to recognize Tony Wimpheimer’s contributions to the game by awarding him their highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. He continued his service to golf and remained active and involved, especially in the development and growth of all of the MGA Foundation programs and activities.
Tony not only volunteered his time and talents, he provided leadership and financial support for the Foundation and the programs he was so passionate about. Over the years, Tony and his wife Ann were among the Foundation’s most generous supporters, allowing the Foundation to successfully impact hundreds of kids each year. MGA President and Foundation Chairman Tod Pike said, “the MGA has always been blessed with wonderful volunteer leadership but Tony’s remarkable record of service over so many years made his contributions unique. He didn't seek the limelight or recognition, he simply wanted to make a difference”.
Our condolences go out to his wife Ann and family and his many friends in golf. He will be missed, but his contributions to the game and to the programs of the MGA Foundation will have a lasting impact on golf in the Metropolitan Area for many years to come.
The family has indicated that donations in Tony's memory may be made to the MGA Foundation, a 501c3 charitable organization c/o the MGA Foundation, 49 Knollwood Road ,Elmsford, NY, 10523