Ed Hoard was born in Atlanta, Ga., on May 3, 1946. He began playing golf at the Bobby Jones Municipal Golf Course, where he later held the official course record of 63. Mr. Hoard went on to play on the University of Florida golf team that won the 1968 SEC and NCAA team championships. Mr. Hoard has been actively involved in the Georgia PGA, and has served as president on three occasions. From 1985 to 1991, he was a member of the Georgia PGA’s advisory committee, awards committee, and nominating committee. Mr. Hoard also served as a board member from 1985 to 2001. Since 1988, he has been an instructor in over 40 PGA – USGA Rules of Golf Workshops and over 20 PGA Business Schools. Mr. Hoard has been the Head Golf Professional at Athens Country Club in Athens, Ga., since 1980. In 1985, he was appointed to the PGA of America Rules of Golf Committee, becoming chairman in 1995. He served as rules chairman of the PGA Championships from 1995 to 2000, and he served as a referee for the 1991 and 2002 Ryder Cup matches. He was the Ryder Cup Match chief referee in 1995, and again in 1999. Mr. Hoard’s additional honors include winning the 1983 Georgia PGA Match Play Championship, Georgia PGA Professional of the Year Award twice, and the Georgia PGA Horton Smith Award five times. He was also the recipient of the PGA National Horton Smith Award in 1996 and was named PGA National Golf Professional of the Year in 1999.

Ed Hoard was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame on January 9, 1999.

He was the long-time pro at Athens Country Club. He was semi-retired and still teaching at the University of Georgia Golf Course. He was one of the most decorated guys in the PGA of America. He has been a rules official for the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup for the last 20 years or so. He was a Master Professional and inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame in 2005.