On Dec. 2, 1972, JFK Memorial Stadium in Philadelphia held 97,000 strong. It was the annual Army-Navy game, and the Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen were competing for the first Commanders-in-Chief’s Trophy.
Scott Beaty, a senior at the United States Military Academy West Point, was playing outside linebacker. The score was 12-7 Navy. The Midshipmen were lining up for a field goal. Navy snapped the ball, and Beaty’s teammate Tim Pfister blocked the kick. The ball took a couple short hops before landing in Beaty’s hands.
“Every player has a responsibility on each play,” Beaty said. “For field goals and extra points, mine was to tackle the quarterback if it was a fake or pick up a blocked kick. So, when the ball came to me, there was no hesitation at all on what to do. I wasn’t the fastest guy on the team, but it happened so fast I was quite a way down the field before anyone knew I had the ball.”
Beaty’s 84-yard scoop and score was the turning point. The Black Knights outscored Navy 10-3 during the remainder of the game to win, 23-15. It was the last football game Beaty would ever play, but it was just the beginning of a successful military and civilian career.
(Watch Beaty’s scoop and score starting at the 3:37 mark)
Following his graduation from West Point in 1973, Beaty began his mandatory military service. He was initially assigned to the Third Infantry Division in Germany for his first three years in the Army. After making the decision to make the Army a career, Beaty spent the next 21 years serving in Washington D.C., the Gulf War, Hawaii and Korea.
“I had a great Army career,” Beaty said. “However, for some career officers, the transition to the private sector can be very difficult. I was lucky to cross paths with an executive from the Bank of Montreal and he was interested in some work I had been doing in the Army.”
Beaty spent his first year out of the Army with the Bank of Montreal’s Institute for Learning in Toronto traveling Monday-Thursday from his home in Dallas. He eventually was contacted by a recruiter on behalf of Royal Dutch Shell.
“They were also looking to become more of a ‘learning organization’ which was a trendy management initiative at the time,” Beaty said. “I spent the next 14 years with Shell.”
During that time, Beaty served in the Learning and Organizational Effectiveness group as the head of a global practice and ultimately as Vice President of Human Resources for the Americas, which included Canada and South America in addition to the United States. Beaty retired in 2011.
Following retirement, Beaty would travel to Bandon Dunes with a couple of Army officers who were golf Rules officials. They encouraged Beaty to get involved, and even though he was hesitant at first, he has volunteered with the TGA at amateur and junior championships across the state since 2014.
“I’ve enjoyed the challenge of mastering the Rules,” Beaty said. “I also enjoy the camaraderie with the other Rules officials and the team aspect of officiating. When you’re on a course and you encounter a situation that you’re not sure about, there’s a trusted colleague to call on the radio.”
Jim Brown of Dallas, a past TGA President, has volunteered alongside Beaty for years. He has recognized the leadership Beaty demonstrates on and off the golf course.
“Scott is a leader by example,” Brown said. “He has become an incredible TGA Volunteer by giving his time to the game we love and sharing himself with his fellow volunteers as well as the players. He has a genuine, quiet, confident manner that has come from his continuous study of the Rules. He is truly a hero to me and many others, and we are all proud to call him a friend.”
Beaty’s experiences have shaped a leader, teammate and dedicated individual to the job at hand. Through his hard work, he’s always looking for a chance to help, guide and teach.
“I like the fact that being a referee in a golf tournament isn’t like being a referee in a football game where you are throwing a flag on somebody who’s incurred a penalty,” Beaty said. “You’re trying to help people play the game within the Rules."
The TGA extends its sincere appreciation to Scott for his efforts in making our championships a success. The work and dedication from all our volunteers allow the TGA to grow and continue to support the game we all love.
For more information on the TGA Volunteer Program, click here. To view the 2020 Competitions Calendar and Volunteering Opportunities, click here.
