WAC Magazine

August 2013

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members in motion Golf in the family c o u r t e s y: P N G A Bruce Richards was recently inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) Hall of Fame for his achievements and continuous involvement in the golfing community. Bruce won his first golf tournament when he was 11 years old. Now, at 70, he competes in senior golf tournaments regionally and around the country. Bruce retired as a general agent for Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company after 40-plus years. His wife, Gail, is also an avid player. Their three grown children occasionally join them on the course. The couple spends time each winter in La Quinta, California. Bruce has seven state or regional championship titles to his name and was selected as the 2003 PNGA Senior Men's Player of the Year. He has played in nine USGA National Championships as well as the British Open in 1965. He's served on the U.S. Golf Association Executive Committee and the board of The First Tee of Greater Seattle. He currently serves on the PNGA Board of Directors and the University of Washington Foster School of Business Advisory Board. The Richards have a long history with the WAC. Bruce was Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1999–2001. In 1933, Bruce's father, Gordon Richards, taught golf lessons at the Club. Bruce and Gail joined the Club in 1970. 14 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | AUGUST 2013 Travel that matters Marta Rabins recently co-founded Ponte Travels, a travel excursion company that offers life-enriching cultural connections and gives back to underserved communities. Marta has visited dozens of countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. She's also lived in Italy, France, Mexico and Ireland. Her background includes working for an international adventure travel company organizing tours for nonprofits. Now, Marta says, she's ready to influence others' lives through travel. "I love introducing people to new cultures," she says. "Whether it's riding elephants or visiting a craftsman village, we want our groups to get up-close and gain personal experience through these trips." Marta and her co-founding partner organize trips for individuals and lead small groups that are no larger than 15 people. Each trip gives a minimum of 5 percent of the total cost to a nonprofit working inside the host country. This includes groups such as Seattlebased PATH and Room to Read. All of Ponte's tours work to support local culture. "It's part of what we consider to be responsible and sustainable tourism," Marta adds. Marta and her family joined the WAC in 1994.

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