A familiar face will greet visitors to the Linton Freedom Festival parade this year.

Ted Bishop, former golf professional and superintendent at the Phil Harris Golf Course, will serve as grand marshal of the 2009 parade.

Bishop joins an elite list of distinguished grand marshals over the years, including State Sen. Lindel Hume, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, former State Rep. Jerry Denbo, former governors Robert Orr and Joe Kernan, Captain Joe Erler NSWC Crane, former Indiana Speaker of the House John Gregg, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Sue Ellen Reed, Vincennes University President Emeritus Philip Summers, former Secretary of State Joe Hogsett, and USA Olympic Bobsled team member Bruce Roselli.

Bishop is no stranger to the Linton and Greene County area. He spent 17 years at Phil Harris, and helped build the course into a solid public facility. He also was the master mind behind the Friends of Phil Harris Scholarship Golf Tournament that started in 1979 and continues today each year the weekend after Memorial Day.

Bishop began his golf career in a rather inconspicuous way in 1971 when the Logansport native got a summer job working at the Rolling Hills Par 3 Golf Course in his hometown.

"I didn't play golf as a kid. It was basketball and baseball for me. My dad told me that I needed to get a real job to save some money for college," Bishop explained. "But it soon developed into an instant love affair between golf and me. Now 38 years later, golf is the only job I ever had."

After graduating from Purdue University, Bishop stayed in Linton for 17 years -- 1976-92. He left for his present position as Director of Golf at The Legends of Indiana Golf Club in Franklin.

"My time in Linton was probably the most important part of my career. I met Phil Harris and had the honor of running his golf tournament. At its peak, the event played 600 players in two days. We had many national celebrities in our field. People from professional tour events volunteered to help with Phil's tournament and it was truly a unique weekend," Bishop said. "I learned the golf business in Linton. My golf committee was patient with me and very supportive of my youthful inexperience. The people in Greene County were great and I will always have very fond memories of those years."

While in Linton, Bishop was named to the Indiana PGA Board of Directors. He served as president of the Indiana PGA and was named Indiana Golf Professional of the Year in 1998. After serving on the PGA national membership committee, he was appointed to the PGA Board of Control in 2002 and named a National Director in 2006.

Bishop was elected secretary of the PGA of America in November 2008 when he defeated Ted O'Rourke from the New Jersey District. Bishop will become the 38th president of the PGA in 2013-14. The PGA of America is the largest working sports organization in the world today.

"Ted Bishop brings a wonderful grass roots perspective to our association. His strong work ethic and attention to detail means an enjoyable experience for everyone who comes in contact with Ted, whether they are another PGA member, a customer at The Legends or a golf industry official," Joe Steranka, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of America, said.

Jim Remy, current president of the PGA of America said of Bishop, "Ted has been a major contributor to the PGA for more than 20 years. Now as secretary and the future president of the PGA, I know that Ted will represent our 28,000 members with the same passion and professionalism that he has always shown. I am proud to have Ted Bishop represent me as a PGA member."

Bishop has received the Sagamore of the Wabash award twice because he has been a tireless supporter of the communities he has lived in. In 1984, Gov. Robert Orr recognized Bishop's efforts with the Phil Harris Scholarship. In 2004, Gov. Joe Kernan saluted Bishop for organizing Operation Sand Save which provided care packages for troops being deployed to Afghanistan.

"My life has been great," Bishop said. "Golf opened many doors for my family and me."

Chris is general manager/editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or by e-mail at cpruett79@hotmail.com .