14 Things You Didn't Know About Fred Ridley

How well do you know the Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club?

14 Things You Didn't Know About Fred Ridley
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Full nameFred Scobie Ridley
Date of birthAugust 16, 1952
BornLakeland, Florida
SpouseElizabeth 'Betsy' Herndon
Height6ft,0in
ResidesTampa, Florida
CollegeUniversity of Florida, Stetson University College of Law
JobChairman of Augusta National Golf Club

14 Things You Didn't Know About Fred Ridley

1. Ridley was born in Lakeland and was raised in Winter Haven, two cities in Florida. He currently resides in Tampa.

2. His middle name is Scobie.

3. He is a business lawyer and a partner in the international law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP.

4. He is the first Chairman of Augusta National who has played in the Masters Tournament. He played in the event as an amateur competitor (1976-78).

5. Ridley was elected the seventh Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament on August 22, 2017.

fred ridley and jack nicklaus

Fred Ridley and Jack Nicklaus at the 1976 Masters

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6. Ridley enjoyed a distinguished career in amateur golf, having won the 1975 United States Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Virginia. He is the last U.S. Amateur champion never to have turned professional.

7. He also competed in 10 U.S. Amateur competitions.

8. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Stetson University College of Law.

9. Ridley has been a member at Augusta National since 2000.

10. During his annual press conference at the 2018 Masters, Ridley announced the creation of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, with the inaugural championship taking place the week prior to the 2019 Masters.

fred ridley

Fred Ridley with 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur winner Anna Davis

(Image credit: Getty Images)

11. He was a playing member of the 1976 U.S. World Amateur team and the 1977 U.S. Walker Cup team. Additionally he was the non-playing captain of the 1987 and 1989 U.S. Walker Cup teams and the 2010 U.S. World Amateur team.

12. In 2005 he was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame. He did so as a 'Distinguished Letterwinner'. 

13. He and his wife Elizabeth 'Betsy' Herndon have three daughters, Maggie, Libby and Sydney, and two grandchildren.

14. Ridley served on the USGA Executive Committee from 1994-2005 and was elected as the 58th president of the USGA from 2004-05.

What is Fred Ridley's net worth?

Ridley's net worth is difficult to estimate. Along with being chairman of Augusta National in which he gets paid a salary, we believe he is also still a partner in the international law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP. Additionally, given how many rich and powerful people are members at Augusta National, it would not be surprising if he had other business interests too. Of course a lot of this is not in the public domain and as such a specific net worth amount can vary.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x