George S. May

George Storr May (June 5, 1890 – March 12, 1962) was an American businessman and golf promoter.

May was born in Windsor, Illinois. He graduated with a degree from the Illinois State Teacher College. First working as a Bible salesman, following Billy Sunday, he soon turned his natural talent for problem-solving to use by becoming a freelance consultant, and efficiency expert.

In 1924 he started his first consulting assignment with Chicago Flexible Shaft Company, today's Sunbeam Corporation. This was the beginning of the George S. May International Company. May based his business operations in Chicago.

George S. May is well known for popularizing the game of golf in the 1940s and 1950s by turning golf into a mass spectator sport. He staged a number of tournaments, including the All American Open and the World Championship of Golf, at the country club he owned, Tam O'Shanter Golf Course, located in Niles, Illinois.

May was the first to broadcast golf nationally on television, in 1953 from the Tom O'Shanter Golf Course. Lew Worsham provided exceptional drama by sinking his wedge approach for an eagle two from just over 100 yards on the par-4 final hole, to edge Chandler Harper by one stroke, claiming a $25,000 first prize (then a world record), along with a further 25 $1,000 exhibitions to promote May's company. The first prize of that event was larger than the total prize money offered at any other Tour event that season. May doubled his first prize the next year, 1954, to a then-record $50,000, out of a total prize of $100,000 (another record), along with an additional 50 paid exhibitions at $1,000 each. Bob Toski won that tournament.

May paid broadcasters to cover his events, but foresaw the future, where the broadcasters would pay the tournament organizers; this happened within a few years, notably with the Masters Tournament. May has been called the Bill Veeck of golf.

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