Class of 2025

Sherrill Sherman

Residence: Clinton, N.Y.
Born: Utica, N.Y.
Deceased (1883 - 1962)

A pioneer, competitor, and builder of the game, Sherrill Sherman helped shape amateur golf in New York during its formative years and left a lasting legacy that continues to define the sport today. Born in 1883 in Utica, Sherman was the youngest son of the U.S. Vice President James Schoolcraft Sherman and carried forward his family’s deep sense of service. He was a standout athlete in his teens, lettering in track, hockey and football at Utica Free Academy and went on to Hamilton College where he competed in track and captained the basketball team.

He first picked up golf at age 13 at the original Yahnundasis Club site, and over a lifetime devoted to golf, he became an essential founding father of the New York State Golf Association (NYSGA), a distinguished amateur competitor, and a visionary leader whose influence still resonates nearly a century later.

On August 9, 1923, delegates from across the state gathered at Yahnundasis Golf Club to formally establish the NYSGA. Sherman, a driving force behind the movement, was unanimously elected the Association’s first president. Inspired by sportswriter Grantland Rice and guided by leaders like Walter Travis, Sherman helped create an organization designed to unify golfers statewide, foster cooperation between clubs, and establish a state championship structure.

After serving two years as president, Sherman transitioned to first vice president under Don Parker of Garden City and remained an active board member for more than three decades, holding nearly every leadership position the Association could offer.

Sherman’s influence extended far beyond New York. He served as secretary of the USGA for five years, helping shape policies at the national level during a period of rapid growth for the sport. In recognition of his contributions, Sherman received membership to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. In 1949, he also represented the United States as part of an international team competing in England and Sweden.

Sherman was not only a leader but also an accomplished player. He competed in 18 consecutive U.S. Amateur Championships, reaching as far as the semifinals in 1915. At his home course of Yahnundasis, which he co-founded, Sherman won the club championship nine times over 27 years.

In 1941, Sherman captured the New York State Senior Amateur Championship at The Country Club of Troy. He also played an integral role in establishing two of Yanundasis’ most enduring competitive traditions. In 1905, he helped launch the McLoughlin Cup, the oldest continuously contested interclub match in the U.S., between Yahnundasis and Sadaquada, followed by the League of the Iroquois in 1913, fostering camaraderie and elite competition among the state’s top amateur golfers in Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.

From the founding of the NYSGA to his leadership on the national stage, Sherrill Sherman played a pivotal role in shaping the competitive and organizational landscape of amateur golf in New York. He was a rare figure, equally influential in governance, competition, and diplomacy, and his contributions elevated the game locally and nationally. 

Beyond the links, Sherman was the President of Robert’s Hardware Company in Utica, and with his wife Catherine, had four children.

More than a century after the NYSGA’s founding, Sherman’s vision continues to guide the Association and inspire golfers across New York. His name lives on, not only in the championships and traditions he helped create, but in the very structure of amateur golf in the Empire State.

Career Highlights

  • Personal

    • Youngest son of United States Vice President James Schoolcraft Sherman

  • NYSGA & USGA Contributions

    • Founding member of the NYSGA in 1923, advocated for its creation, recognizing the need for unified statewide governance and support for the amateur game. 

    • Elected as the NYSGA’s first

    •  president, establishing foundational policies and a championship structure.

    • He served for two years before stepping down to Vice President. He served on the NYSGA board for more than 30 years.

    • Championed inclusiveness and cooperation among clubs across the state, helping elevate the visibility and competitiveness of amateur golf in New York.

    • Served as the USGA secretary for five years

  • Accomplished Competitive Golfer

    • Competed at a high level in in numerous regional and national amateur events, including 18 straight US Amateurs making the semi-finals in 1915.

  • Co-Founder of Yahnundasis Golf Club

    • Co-founded Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford, NY.

    • 9x club Yahnundasis club champion across three decades

    • Founding player in the McLoughlin Cup, which is the oldest continuously contested annual competitive match between two clubs (Yahnundasis & Sadaquada) in the US, dating to 1905. 

    • Founder of the League of the Iroquois in 1913.

    • He held an honorary membership at the Royal Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland, and played as part of an international team that participated in England and Sweden in 1949.

  • Golf Course Architect

    • Designed or influenced several golf courses in NY, including Gouverneur GC.

    • Known for incorporating natural topography into his designs by creating courses that are both aesthetically appealing and strategically rich.

« Back to Listing