Stan Abrams

Stan Abrams is a living example of what can happen if you take a big-time athlete and let him loose on a golf course. Stan Abrams also is a perfect illustration of what can take place when a Harvard-educated businessman turns his focus to golf.

Abrams has been a Hall of Famer in both areas.

As a youngster, the Pawtucket native was best known for his play in other sports. He was an all-state quarterback for Pawtucket West, now Shea High, and was selected as the Providence Journal-Bulletin Honor Roll Boy in 1960, an award given to the top student-athlete in the state. He went on from there to Harvard, where his football career was cut short, first by a knee injury in his freshman year, then a dislocated shoulder as a sophomore.

By that time, he had begun winning golf championships. His first was the Jaycee Junior Championship in 1958, which carried with it a trip to Arizona where, among other work he finished second in the long drive contest, at 303 yards, and was presented an award by Bobby Jones.

With his focus on golf, he became the Harvard captain in 1963. The year he graduated, he was runner-up to Fred Campanelli, his fellow Metacomet member, in the State Amateur. He went on to win the Amateur twice, beating Ronnie Quinn in the final in 1972 and Charlie Hayes in 1975. He also won the 1966 State Mixed with Estelle Wolfson.

His playing career was only the beginning. After graduating cum laude from Harvard, and later the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Abrams became involved in real estate development. In 1982, he formed the Senior Tour Players, Inc. Working with Sam Snead, Doug Ford and Billy Casper, among many others, he organized work that included golf-related developments, including the hugely successful Glen Country Club in Florida. His ideas were later turned into what is now The Champions Tour.

Abrams’ course development projects include Granite Links in Quincy, Mass.