Lewis C. Horne Jr., the Chair of the LPGA Foundation Board from 2010-2013, passed away this week following a short illness. He was 66 years old.
Known as “Lew” by all of those close to him, Horne had a passion for the game of golf and played a significant role in helping to grow the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program during his years as the Chair of the LPGA Foundation Board.
“Lew was a kind-hearted and generous man who will be missed by the many people who he touched,” said LPGA Foundation President Nancy Henderson. “He loved golf, he loved the LPGA and he made a lasting impact on the LPGA Foundation during his time as Chair of the Board.”
A prominent public finance lawyer in Atlanta for more than 40 years, Horne was a latecomer to the game of golf. He didn’t pick up the sport until the age of 40 but his passion led him to become an avid golfer and he had a strong desire to make the game more inclusive. He helped to develop The First Tee and also served as the president of the National Minority Golf Foundation. For his efforts, Horne was inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame in 2008.
Horne was also the first minority lawyer to serve on the board of directors of the National Association of Bond Lawyers ("NABL"), and was one of the first black lawyers in the country to be listed in the Bond Buyer's Municipal Marketplace (the "Red Book"), a national directory of bond lawyers and law firms. He held numerous leadership positions in public finance activities for the NABL and the American Bar Association.
“Lew was the Chair of the LPGA Foundation when it really ramped up Girls Golf and started making huge strides impacting girls in this game,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “He was a tremendous family member of the LPGA, and to junior golf in general. He will be greatly missed.”