Fields joins former LPGA star and longtime broadcaster Pepper as honorees at FOG’s upcoming 44th Annual Charity tournament
LOS ANGELES, California – Friends of Golf (FOG) will honor longtime board member and accomplished veteran financial services executive Joe Fields with The Ken Venturi “Spirit of Giving” Award at its 44th annual charity golf tournament presented by Konica Minolta on Oct. 7th at Bel-Air Country Club, it was announced recently by FOG President Peter Best.
Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Jim Nantz will be on-hand once again to present awards and interview this year’s honorees at the tournament, which will also honor former LPGA star and longtime broadcaster Dottie Pepper with The Eddie Merrins Trophy.
Fields, who has played an instrumental role in FOG’s history as a board member since 2012, most recently served as Managing Partner of Friess Associates, which managed the Brandywine mutual fund family. During his four-decade career, Fields served in a variety of leadership positions with investment banks and other top financial institutions, and he’s led numerous philanthropic initiatives, including his current role as Director of the Evans Scholars Foundation.
The Evans Foundation supports 1100 young men and women with four-year full college scholarships.
‘Joe Fields’ continued dedication and support of Friends of Golf and the long list of other philanthropic initiatives he’s helped lead, makes him the quintessential recipient for this year’s Ken Venturi ‘Spirit of Giving’ Award,” says FOG Chairman Sal Cimbolo. “He joins our other tremendous honoree, Dottie Pepper, for what should be another truly special event this year.”
Fields added, “I first met Ken Venturi at the 1978 NCAA Golf Championship where he was the guest of honor. I had the great privilege of speaking to him regarding the tournament and the opportunities the game of golf creates for all of us fortunate to play the game. I reconnected with Mr. Venturi at FOG 30 years later and we had a great laugh about how our hair color had changed to gray!”
In 2012, FOG created the inaugural Ken Venturi “Spirit of Giving” Award to honor Venturi and his commitment to being an inspiring and motivating force for young golfers everywhere. Venturi, who passed away in 2013, was a Friend of FOG for many years, almost since its inception. Through the years, he graciously committed his time to support the mission of FOG and conducted numerous clinics for players and helped attract many top professional golfers to contribute their time to the organization’s various initiatives.
Fields joins an illustrious group of past recipients of the “Spirit of Giving” Award, including last year’s honoree former PGA of America President Tom Addis III, Al Michaels (2022), Vin Scully (2020), Tom Debrowski & Joseph Sindelar, Jr. (2019) and Ely Callaway & Oliver “Chip” Brewer (2015).
Pepper will be joining a stellar group of past FOG honorees at this year’s event, a list that includes Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Annika Sörenstam, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa, Patrick Cantlay, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa and Juli Inkster.
Konica Minolta is the Title Sponsor of FOG’s 2024 tournament, while Callaway is the Major Equipment sponsor, Skechers is the Major Footwear sponsor and johnnie-O is the Major Apparel sponsor.