Portland LPGA head Maletis wins national award

By
Updated: December 30, 2014

Tom Maletis, the president of the non-profit that runs Portland’s annual LPGA Tour event, has been awarded the prestigious Patty Berg Award. Maletis, who received the award at the tour’s annual season-ending gala in Naples, Fla., is president of Tournament Golf Foundation, the all-volunteer group that has run the Portland Classic since 1972.

The award, which started in 1979, is given to an individual who “exemplifies diplomacy, sportsmanship, goodwill and contributions to the game of golf.” Named after founding LPGA member Patty Berg, the award is not given annually, but rather when the tour decides there is a worthy recipient.

The Portland Classic is the longest-running regular event on the LPGA Tour. It has raised more than $20 million for local charities.