Partner Fred Ridley discussed with The American Lawyer his first year as chairman of the Masters in the article, “At the Masters, Foley & Lardner Partner Will Present the Green Jacket.”
Ridley told The American Lawyer that he attended the University of Florida on a golf scholarship and thought he would earn his living as a professional golfer, but said he was a “run-of-the-mill” player on a team that won the collegiate championship in 1973. In 1975, Ridley won the U.S. Amateur championship, which earned him the right to play in the Masters.
Ridley said he was inspired to go to law school by golf legend Bobby Jones, who was also a lawyer.
“I would have never dreamed that things would develop the way they did,” Ridley said Friday. “One way I put it is I don’t think there’s any amount of money that I would have traded [to have] been the most successful golfer imaginable for what my life has been,” he said. “The professional satisfaction of working as an attorney and being for the last 18 years in a really wonderful organization and having so many friends inside [Foley & Lardner] and having my life in golf. I don’t know if I could have orchestrated anything more rewarding or gratifying than what I’ve received. So I’ve been very fortunate.”
Subscription required.
Ridley told The American Lawyer that he attended the University of Florida on a golf scholarship and thought he would earn his living as a professional golfer, but said he was a “run-of-the-mill” player on a team that won the collegiate championship in 1973. In 1975, Ridley won the U.S. Amateur championship, which earned him the right to play in the Masters.
Ridley said he was inspired to go to law school by golf legend Bobby Jones, who was also a lawyer.
“I would have never dreamed that things would develop the way they did,” Ridley said Friday. “One way I put it is I don’t think there’s any amount of money that I would have traded [to have] been the most successful golfer imaginable for what my life has been,” he said. “The professional satisfaction of working as an attorney and being for the last 18 years in a really wonderful organization and having so many friends inside [Foley & Lardner] and having my life in golf. I don’t know if I could have orchestrated anything more rewarding or gratifying than what I’ve received. So I’ve been very fortunate.”
Subscription required.
People
Related News
December 24, 2025
In the News
Kyle Faget on HHS Gender-Affirming Care Declaration – Impact is 'Enormous'
Foley & Lardner LLP partner Kyle Faget commented on the recent Department of Health and Human Services declaration rejecting gender-affirming care in the STAT News article, “Nineteen states, D.C. sue HHS over gender-affirming care crackdown."
December 22, 2025
In the News
Monica Call in Law.com Leadership Spotlight – 'I see my role as both coach and advocate'
Foley & Lardner LLP partner Monica Call reflects on leadership, mentorship, and strategy in Law.com's "How I Made It Office Managing Partner" series.
December 18, 2025
In the News
Kyle Faget Weighs in on HHS Proposed Rule Limiting Gender-Affirming Care
Foley & Lardner LLP partner Kyle Faget commented on a recent proposal from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Law360 article, “HHS Proposes Hospital Ban On Gender Care For Minors.”