Note from Hank Borg ’57
It was quite rewarding for Hank Borg to serve as PGA of Europe’s executive.
A position he held from 1995 to 2007, he had the opportunity to visit a few Ryder Cups.
Borg, a 1953 Springfield High graduate, has played golf in 48 countries ranging from Japan to Saudi Arabia while visiting a total of 66.
“That probably is the thing that might stand out rather significantly,” Borg said. “I’ve had lots of interesting experiences in some of these countries.”
Borg largely grew up playing golf at the Illini Country Club, which his dad, Gus, helped develop starting in 1923.
He ended up reaching the state finals at SHS, but his high school teammate, Pete Beardsley, won the tournament and later played for Purdue.
Borg played basketball and golf at Ripon College in the Midwest Conference (which also included current Division III schools Knox College and Monmouth College).
He has one particular fond memory as a caddy at Illini Country Club. There, he served a round with Patty Berg, a founding member of the LPGA Tour.
Many years later, Borg reconnected with the famed golfer in Minnesota during the Solheim Cup.
“I think she was about 91 years old at the time and I said, ‘At the end of the round, you gave me a ball … Matter of fact, I have it with me and here it is.’ She said, ‘Let me see that ball.’ I gave it to her and she said, ‘Oh my goodness, this is my ball.’ She said, ‘Would you like me to sign that ball for you?’ I said, ‘I’d love for you to sign the ball for me.’ At about the same time she was signing, a couple of her lady friends came over and she said, ‘Girls … this young man here caddied for me in 1949.’ This young man was about 70 years old,” Borg said with a laugh.