Maryland Golf Hall of Fame 2023: Carl Maxwell "Max" Elbin, PGA

Max Elbin was born and raised in Cumberland, Maryland, where he and his brother started in golf by shagging balls and caddying at Cumberland C.C. in 1930. By age thirteen, Max was playing the game and in short order, won the Cumberland C.C. Caddie Tournament in 1936. He also won Cumberland’s City Championship. At Allegany High School, where he was the Class President, Max played basketball, soccer, baseball and ran on the track team before graduating in 1938. Max turned professional in 1940 and served as an assistant for Lew Worsham at Burning Tree Club. After two years at Burning Tree, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1942. Following the War, he returned to Burning Tree, but by that time, Worsham’s interest had turned to his playing career, so Burning Tree named Mr. Elbin as their Head PGA Professional, where he served for nearly 50 years. Thirty-nine of his Assistant Professionals went on to become Head Professionals.

From 1949 through 1955, Max chaired several MAPGA Committees before serving three terms as President of the MAPGA from 1956-1958. He returned to the MAPGA Executive Committee in 1963. In 1964 he became Treasure of the PGA of America, then in 1965, was named Secretary. From 1966-1968 he served as President of The PGA of America. This was a challenging time for The PGA as the touring professionals desired their own organization. Max diplomatically steered The PGA to an amicable and mutually beneficial alliance with what is now known as the PGA Tour. Throughout this challenging period, he led the negotiations for professional golf’s first TV contract.

Mr. Elbin was inducted into the Allegany High School Hall of Fame. In 1962 the MAPGA selected Mr. Elbin as Professional of the Year. In 1967 he received the Richardson Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Golf Writers Association of America. In 1987 the MAPGA inducted him into their Hall of Fame, The PGA of America recognized Max Elbin as a “Legend” in 1995, becoming the first Past President so honored, and in 1997, the MAGA inducted him into their Hall of Fame.