Name: John Rydell
City of residence: Santa Barbara
Club: La Cumbre CC and Valley Club of Montecito
Profession: Attorney
Family: Helen (wife of 42 years), three children and nine grandchildren
Volunteer and committee involvement: Current Chairman of Objectivity in Science Committee for Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, past Chairman of Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, Past President of La Cumbre CC, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hope School Board, and Santa Barbara Junior Golf Association
Music that John listens to: Diana Ross
First car: Used 1963 Ford Falcon
Favorite book: The Greatest Game Ever by Mark Frost
Guilty-pleasure food: Hot Fudge Sundae
Favorite non-golf item owned: Collection of grandchildren Christmas tree ornaments
Favorite Southland hotspot: The "front range" trails in Santa Barbara
One gadget you can't live without: Blackberry Torch
Favorite quote: Any of Churchill's famous WWII speeches, spoken in his voice
If John couldn't do what he is doing as a profession, he would be a: Reporter, commentator, or announcer for some form of news media
Greatest pride: Children and grandchildren
Most-visited Web site that is not work-related: Facebook
What do you like about volunteering: The people you meet and their dedication to a common cause.
What would you tell a boy or girl to interest them in the game of golf: I'd take them out to La Cumbre in the evening and let them hit some balls into the lake, blast out of a bunker, and putt on the green – far more effective than anything I could say!
Has golfed for: 52 years
What John would like to see more of on the course: Divots replaced and ball marks repaired, all the time, every time.
Favorite Tour player: Fred Couples, because his swing is beautiful, his attitude is superb, and his struggles with the putter are so human.
What part of the game of golf needs to change: Reduce the flight of the golf ball by 5% when hit by a driver at all swing speeds.
Is there a Rule of Golf John would like to change?: Have out of bounds marked and treated exactly the same as water hazards.
