World Golf Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame building at World Golf Village | |
Map | |
Established | September 1974 (1974-09) (past location: May 19, 1998) |
---|---|
Location | Pinehurst, North Carolina |
Type | Professional sports hall of fame |
Visitors | 350,000/year (2009) |
Website | www.worldgolfhalloffame.org |
The World Golf Hall of Fame was, until recently, located at World Golf Village between Jacksonville, Florida and St. Augustine, Florida, in the United States. It is unusual amongst sports halls of fame in that a single site honored both men and women. It is supported by a consortium of 26 golf organizations from all over the world.[1] It was moved back to Pinehurst, North Carolina, with the new campus opening in 2024.
The Hall of Fame Museum Building was designed by the specialist museum architecture firm E. Verner Johnson and Associates of Boston. They also produced the museum master plan that established the size, mission and qualities of the museum and the surrounding facilities and site.
The Hall of Fame Museum features a permanent exhibition and a rolling program of temporary exhibitions. Designed by museum design firm Ralph Appelbaum Associates, the Hall of Fame and exhibition area contains exhibits on the game's history, heritage, and techniques; major players and organizations; golf course design, equipment, and dress.[2]
History
[edit ]The World Golf Hall of Fame is located in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and was originally privately operated by Diamondhead Corp., then owners of the Pinehurst Resort. It opened in September 1974 with an initial class of 13 members.[3] Initially it was a local project, but the PGA of America took over management in 1983 and acquired full ownership in 1986.
Two other halls of fame have been merged into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The PGA of America established one in 1940, which was merged into the Pinehurst Hall in the 1980s. The Hall of Fame of Women's Golf was established by the LPGA in 1951, with four charter members: Patty Berg, Betty Jameson, Louise Suggs, and Babe Zaharias. It was inactive for some years, but in 1967 it moved into its first physical premises, which were in Augusta, Georgia and was renamed the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. In 1998 it merged into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
In 1994 the global golf industry established a non-profit making body called the World Golf Foundation to promote the sport, with the creation of an enhanced Hall of Fame as one of its main objectives. Construction at the new site in St. Johns County, Florida began in 1996 and the new facility opened on May 19, 1998, and closed in September, 2023.
The new USGA Pinehurst Golf House, now housing the hall of fame is scheduled to open in 2024.[4]
Membership categories
[edit ]In October 2013, the Hall announced that it was reviewing its selection process and that there would be no induction ceremony in 2014.[5] [6] A new process was announced in March 2014.
Starting in 2014, members were inducted into the Hall of Fame in one of four categories: Male Competitor, Female Competitor, Veterans, and Lifetime Achievement categories. Elections are held every other year with induction ceremonies in odd number years beginning in 2015. The process has changed from that used from 1996 to 2013. The minimum qualifications for male and female competitors are: minimum of 40 years old, or five years removed from "active competition" and 15 or more wins on "approved tours" or two "major wins". The veterans category is primarily for those golfers whose careers ended before 1980 and includes both amateurs and professionals. The lifetime achievement category remains from the old system.[7]
The Hall again revised the criteria in 2020 and now recognize two categories: Competitor and Contributor.
A 30-member nominating sub-committee composed of Hall of Fame members, World Golf Foundation Board organizations and members of the media will choose from among the eligible candidates and nominate a total of 10 individuals (four male competitors, four female competitors, and two contributors).[8] A separate 20-member selection committee will then vote on all four ballots.[9] Election to the Hall of Fame will require 75% of the vote and each year's election class is limited to two from each ballot and five total.[7] [10]
In 2016, the Hall announced that the age requirement would be raised to 50 from 40 years old.[11] In 2020, the age went from 50 to 45.[12]
Qualification details
[edit ]Male
[edit ]- Approved tours (15 wins total)
- Majors or Players Championship (two wins)
Female
[edit ]- Approved tours (15 wins total)
- Majors (two wins)
- U.S. Women's Open
- Women's PGA Championship
- The Women's Open Championship (2001−current)
- Chevron Championship (1983−current; formerly known as the Dinah Shore, Kraft Nabisco Championship, and ANA Inspiration)
- The Evian Championship (2013−current)
- du Maurier Classic (1979−2000)
- Titleholders Championship (1937-1966, 1972)
- Women's Western Open (1930-1967)
Categories from 1996 to 2013
[edit ]From 1996 to 2013, members were inducted into the Hall of Fame in one of five categories: PGA Tour/Champions Tour, LPGA Tour, International, Lifetime Achievement, and Veterans.
PGA Tour/Champions Tour ballot
[edit ]Current and former PGA Tour and Champions Tour players were eligible for this ballot if they met the following requirements (beginning with 1996 election):
- PGA Tour
- Minimum of 40 years old
- PGA Tour member for 10 years
- 10 PGA Tour wins or two wins in the majors or Players Championship
- Champions Tour
Election requirements:
Years | % of returned ballots needed for election |
---|---|
1996–2000 | 75% |
2001–2003 | 65% |
2004–2013 | 65%, in the event that no candidate receives 65%, the nominee receiving the most votes with at least 50% is elected |
Voters voted for up to 30% of the players on the ballot. If a player was named on less than 5% of the ballots for two consecutive years, they were dropped from the ballot. Players not elected could remain on the ballot indefinitely[13] (prior to 2007 the limit was 10 years, from 2007 to 2009 the limit was 15 years).[14]
LPGA point system
[edit ]LPGA Tour golfers were eligible through a point system. Since 1999, LPGA members automatically qualified for World Golf Hall of Fame membership when they meet these three criteria:
- Must be/have been an "active" LPGA Tour member for 10 years.
- Must have won/been awarded at least one of the following – an LPGA major championship, the Vare Trophy or Player of the Year honors; and
- Must have accumulated a total of 27 points, which are awarded as follows – one point for each LPGA official tournament win, two points for each LPGA major tournament win and one point for each Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honor earned.
Before 1999, players had to win 30 tournaments, including two majors; 35 tournaments with one major; or 40 tournaments in all to automatically qualify. At one time, players had to win two different majors to qualify with 30 wins, but this was changed earlier in the 1990s.
This point system is still used for selection to the LPGA Hall of Fame.[15] However, in March 2022, the ten-year requirement was scrapped, and a point for winning an Olympic gold medal was added to the criteria.[16]
International ballot
[edit ]Men and women golfers not fully eligible for PGA/Champions Tour ballot or the LPGA Tour point system were eligible for the International ballot if they met the following requirements[17] (beginning with the 1996 election):
- Minimum of 40 years old
- Cumulative 50 points earned as follows:
- Men
- 6 points – Major victories
- 4 points – Players Championship win
- 3 points – Other PGA Tour win, European Tour win
- 2 points – Japan Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, Champions Tour win
- 1 point – Other national championship win; Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup participation
- Women
- 6 points – Major[a] victories
- 4 points – Other LPGA Tour win, Women's British Open win prior to 2001[b]
- 2 points – LPGA of Japan Tour win, Ladies European Tour win
- 1 point – Other national championship win, Solheim Cup participation
- Men
Election requirements: same as PGA Tour ballot.
Lifetime Achievement category
[edit ]There was also a "lifetime achievement" category through which anyone who had made a major contribution to the organization or promotion of the sport may be selected, for example, Bob Hope. These members were chosen by the Hall of Fame's Board of Directors. Most played golf, in some cases with some competitive success, but it was not their play alone which won them a place in the Hall of Fame.
Veteran's category
[edit ]The last category was created to honor professional or amateur players whose career concluded at least 30 years ago. These members were also chosen by the Hall of Fame's Board of Directors.
Membership
[edit ]New members are inducted each year on the Monday before The Players Championship [18] (previous to 2010 in October or November), and by May 2013 there were 146 members. Beginning in 2010, the ballots are due in July with the results announced later in the year. New entrants in the Lifetime Achievement and Veteran's categories are announced at irregular intervals. For example, Frank Chirkinian was elected in the Lifetime Achievement category in an emergency election in February 2011, with the vote presumably held because he was then terminally ill with lung cancer;[19] when it became clear he would not live to attend his induction, he videotaped his acceptance speech in late February, less than two weeks before his death.[20]
Men
[edit ]Unless stated otherwise these men were inducted mainly for their on-course success. The exceptions mostly correspond with the lifetime achievement category, but not quite. For example, Charlie Sifford was notable as a player but was inducted for lifetime achievement.
- 1974 United States Walter Hagen
- 1974 United States Ben Hogan
- 1974 United States Bobby Jones
- 1974 United States Byron Nelson
- 1974 United States Jack Nicklaus
- 1974 United States Francis Ouimet
- 1974 United States Arnold Palmer
- 1974 South Africa Gary Player
- 1974 United States Gene Sarazen
- 1974 United States Sam Snead
- 1974 Jersey Harry Vardon
- 1975 Scotland Willie Anderson
- 1975 United States Fred Corcoran – many-faceted promoter and administrator
- 1975 United States Joseph Dey – executive director of the USGA and the first commissioner of the PGA Tour
- 1975 United States Chick Evans
- 1975 Scotland Young Tom Morris
- 1975 England John Henry Taylor
- 1976 Scotland United States Tommy Armour
- 1976 Scotland James Braid
- 1976 Scotland Old Tom Morris
- 1976 United States Jerome Travers
- 1977 South Africa Bobby Locke
- 1977 England John Ball
- 1977 United States Herb Graffis – golf writer and founder of the U.S. National Golf Foundation
- 1977 Scotland Donald Ross – golf course architect
- 1978 United States Billy Casper
- 1978 England Harold Hilton
- 1978 United States Bing Crosby – celebrity friend of golf who founded his own PGA Tour event
- 1978 United States Clifford Roberts – co-founder of the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament
- 1979 United States Walter Travis
- 1980 England Henry Cotton
- 1980 United States Lawson Little
- 1981 United States Ralph Guldahl
- 1981 United States Lee Trevino
- 1982 United States Julius Boros
- 1983 United States Jimmy Demaret
- 1983 United States Bob Hope – celebrity friend of golf who founded his own PGA Tour event
- 1986 United States Cary Middlecoff
- 1987 United States Robert Trent Jones – golf course architect
- 1988 United States Bob Harlow – promoter who played a key role in the early development of the PGA Tour
- 1988 Australia Peter Thomson
- 1988 United States Tom Watson
- 1989 England Jim Barnes
- 1989 Argentina Roberto De Vicenzo
- 1989 United States Raymond Floyd
- 1990 United States William C. Campbell – two-time President of the USGA
- 1990 United States Gene Littler
- 1990 United States Paul Runyan
- 1990 United States Horton Smith
- 1992 United States Harry Cooper
- 1992 United States Hale Irwin
- 1992 Puerto Rico Chi-Chi Rodríguez
- 1992 United States Richard Tufts – ran Pinehurst and served as President of the USGA
- 1996 United States Johnny Miller
- 1997 Spain Seve Ballesteros
- 1997 England Nick Faldo
- 1998 United States Lloyd Mangrum
- 2000 United States Jack Burke Jr.
- 2000 United States Deane Beman – Commissioner of the PGA Tour 1974-1994
- 2000 England Michael Bonallack – British golf administrator
- 2000 England Neil Coles – first Chairman of the PGA European Tour
- 2000 England John Jacobs – first Tournament Director of the European Tour
- 2001 Germany Bernhard Langer (inducted with 2002 class)[21]
- 2001 Australia Greg Norman
- 2001 United States Payne Stewart
- 2001 Scotland Allan Robertson
- 2001 United States Karsten Solheim – golf equipment manufacturer and founder of the Solheim Cup
- 2002 United States Ben Crenshaw
- 2002 England Tony Jacklin
- 2002 United States Tommy Bolt
- 2002 United States Harvey Penick – golf instructor
- 2003 Zimbabwe Nick Price
- 2003 United States Leo Diegel
- 2004 United States Charlie Sifford
- 2004 Japan Isao Aoki
- 2004 United States Tom Kite
- 2005 England Bernard Darwin – golf writer
- 2005 England Alister MacKenzie – golf course architect
- 2005 Scotland Willie Park Sr.
- 2005 Fiji Vijay Singh (inducted with 2006 class)[22]
- 2006 United States Larry Nelson
- 2006 United States Henry Picard
- 2006 United States Mark McCormack – sports agent who represented many top golfers; the developer of golf's first world ranking system, adapted into today's Official World Golf Ranking
- 2007 Republic of Ireland Joe Carr
- 2007 United States Hubert Green
- 2007 United States Charles B. Macdonald – inaugural U.S. Amateur champion, founding Vice-President of the USGA and "Father of American Golf Architecture"
- 2007 Australia Kel Nagle
- 2007 United States Curtis Strange
- 2008 New Zealand Bob Charles
- 2008 United States Pete Dye – golf course architect
- 2008 United States Denny Shute
- 2008 United States Herbert Warren Wind – golf writer
- 2008 United States Craig Wood
- 2009 Republic of Ireland Christy O'Connor Snr
- 2009 Spain José María Olazábal
- 2009 United States Lanny Wadkins
- 2009 United States Dwight D. Eisenhower – former U.S. President
- 2011 South Africa Ernie Els
- 2011 Japan Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki
- 2011 United States Doug Ford
- 2011 Scotland United States Jock Hutchison
- 2011 United States Frank Chirkinian – television producer, known as the 'father of televised golf' for the impact he had on golf broadcasting.
- 2011 United States George H. W. Bush – former U.S. President
- 2012 United States Phil Mickelson [23]
- 2012 United States Dan Jenkins – golf writer[24]
- 2012 Scotland Sandy Lyle [25]
- 2012 England Peter Alliss [25]
- 2013 United States Fred Couples [26]
- 2013 United States Ken Venturi [27]
- 2013 Scotland Willie Park Jr. [28]
- 2013 Scotland Colin Montgomerie [29]
- 2013 Scotland Ken Schofield [29] – Executive Director of the European Tour
- 2015 Australia David Graham [30]
- 2015 United States Mark O'Meara [30]
- 2015 United States A. W. Tillinghast – golf course architect[30]
- 2017 England Henry Longhurst – golf writer and commentator
- 2017 United States Davis Love III
- 2017 Wales Ian Woosnam
- 2019 South Africa Retief Goosen
- 2019 United States Billy Payne − Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club
- 2019 United States Dennis Walters − disabled golfer and inspirational speaker and performer
- 2021 United States Tiger Woods [31]
- 2021 United States Tim Finchem – Commissioner of the PGA Tour 1994–2017[32]
- 2023 United States Johnny Farrell [33]
- 2023 Republic of Ireland Pádraig Harrington [33]
- 2023 United States Tom Weiskopf [33]
Women
[edit ]The first five women on this list were grandfathered in 1998 from the Hall of Fame of Women's Golf, which was founded in 1951, via the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame, which was inaugurated in 1967. The list shows the years when they were originally inducted into the Hall of Fame of Women's Golf. Unless stated otherwise the women on the list were inducted primarily for their on-course achievements. Players marked with an (f) denotes they were elected twice—once individually, and once collectively for the 2024 nominations announced on March 8, 2023 for the 13 LPGA founders.
- 1951 United States Betty Jameson (f)
- 1951 United States Patty Berg (f)
- 1951 United States Louise Suggs (f)
- 1951 United States Babe Didrikson Zaharias (f)
- 1960 United States Betsy Rawls
- 1964 United States Mickey Wright
- 1975 United States Glenna Collett-Vare
- 1975 England Joyce Wethered
- 1975 United States Kathy Whitworth
- 1977 United States Sandra Haynie
- 1977 United States Carol Mann
- 1978 Scotland United States Dorothy Campbell Hurd Howe
- 1982 United States JoAnne Carner
- 1987 United States Nancy Lopez
- 1991 United States Pat Bradley
- 1993 United States Patty Sheehan
- 1994 United States Dinah Shore – celebrity friend of the LPGA; founded a tournament that eventually became a major
- 1995 United States Betsy King
- 1999 United States Amy Alcott
- 2000 United States Beth Daniel
- 2000 United States Juli Inkster
- 2000 United States Judy Rankin
- 2001 United States Donna Caponi
- 2001 United States Judy Bell – administrator; first female President of the USGA
- 2002 United States Marlene Bauer Hagge (f)
- 2003 Japan Hisako "Chako" Higuchi
- 2003 Sweden Annika Sörenstam
- 2004 Canada Marlene Stewart Streit
- 2005 Japan Ayako Okamoto
- 2005 Australia Karrie Webb
- 2006 United States Marilynn Smith (f)
- 2007 South Korea Pak Se-ri
- 2008 United States Carol Semple Thompson
- 2012 United States Hollis Stacy [34]
- 2015 England Laura Davies [30]
- 2017 United States Meg Mallon
- 2017 Mexico Lorena Ochoa
- 2019 United States Peggy Kirk Bell
- 2019 Australia Jan Stephenson
- 2021 United States Marion Hollins [35]
- 2021 United States Susie Maxwell Berning [36]
- 2023 United States Beverly Hanson [33]
- 2023 United States Sandra Palmer [33]
- 2023 LPGA Founders (those not previously in Hall listed):[33]
Notes
[edit ]- ^ This specifically refers to events recognized as majors by the U.S. LPGA. The three richest women's tours each recognize a different set of majors, although the U.S. LPGA set is by far the most significant on a global scale. See women's major golf championships for a fuller discussion.
- ^ The Women's British Open was first recognized as a U.S. LPGA major in 2001.
References
[edit ]- ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame Supporting Organizations". Archived from the original on March 17, 2006. Retrieved April 20, 2006.
- ^ "Ralph Appelbaum Associates Project Description". Archived from the original on June 16, 2007.
- ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame History". Archived from the original on March 17, 2006. Retrieved April 20, 2006.
- ^ "USGA, World Golf Hall of Fame Collaborate to Showcase Golf's Legendary Figures at Golf House Pinehurst – World Golf". World Golf Hall of Fame. July 20, 2022. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "Golf Hall to review selection process". ESPN. Associated Press. October 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ McEwan, Michael (October 8, 2013). "Golf Hall of Fame scrapped for 2014". Bunkered. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ a b "World Golf Hall of Fame announces changes to enshrinement process". PGA Tour. March 23, 2014. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
- ^ Kahoro, Cyrus (March 7, 2023). "World Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Nominees". EssentialGolf. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame Announces Finalists for 2024 Induction Class". LPGA. February 22, 2023. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Criteria & Process". World Golf Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
- ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame names Selection Commission Co-Chairs for 2017: Jack Nicklaus joins fellow Hall of Fame Member Co-Chairs, age change to induction criteria". PGA Tour. March 30, 2016. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- ^ Harig, Bob (January 22, 2020). "Golf Hall of Fame lowers age eligibility requirements for induction". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame Releases Ballots for 2011". PGA Tour. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010.
- ^ "About the PGA Tour Ballot". Golf Digest. January 31, 2007. Archived from the original on March 17, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "LPGA Statement on Changes to World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Selection". LPGA. March 23, 2014. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ "LPGA Announces Changes to LPGA Hall of Fame Criteria, Including Inductions of Lorena Ochoa and the LPGA's 13 Founders". LPGA. March 29, 2022. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
- ^ "About the International Ballot". January 31, 2007. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011.
- ^ "Hall of Fame to hold 2011 Ceremony on Monday of Players Championship". PGA Tour. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010.
- ^ Dolch, Craig (March 4, 2011). "Chirkinian's impact on televised golf can't be overstated". PGA Tour. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
Bringing sounds to golf is just part of the reason why Chirkinian — who is considered "the father of televised golf" — was elected February 9 into the World Golf Hall of Fame on an emergency vote.
- ^ Dorman, Larry (March 5, 2011). "At 19th Hole, Recalling an Innovator". The New York Times . Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ "Bernhard Langer". World Golf Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012.
- ^ "Nelson, Singh inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame". ESPN. Associated Press. October 30, 2006. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
- ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame to induct Mickelson in 2012". PGA Tour. November 11, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011.
- ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame to induct Dan Jenkins in 2012". PGA Tour. December 14, 2011. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012.
- ^ a b "Sandy Lyle, Peter Alliss picked for Hall". ESPN. Associated Press. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
- ^ "Couples to be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame". PGA Tour. September 19, 2012. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame adds Venturi to 2013 class". PGA Tour. October 8, 2012. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ "Willie Park Jr. selected for World Golf Hall of Fame". PGA Tour. November 15, 2012. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ^ a b "Montgomerie and Schofield Honoured by Hall of Fame" (Press release). PGA European Tour. December 18, 2012. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c d McAllister, Mike (October 15, 2014). "Class of 2015 Hall of Famers receive surprise calls". PGA Tour. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
- ^ Harig, Bob (March 11, 2020). "Tiger Woods to be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021". ESPN. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "Tim Finchem, former PGA Tour commissioner, elected to World Golf Hall of Fame". ESPN. Associated Press. April 20, 2020. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Padraig Harrington, LPGA founders join '24 Golf Hall of Fame class". ESPN. Associated Press. March 9, 2023. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ "Hollis Stacy selected for Hall of Fame". ESPN. Associated Press. November 18, 2011. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ "Marion Hollins elected to 2021 class of Golf Hall of Fame". ESPN. Associated Press. April 17, 2020. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ^ "Susie Maxwell Berning elected to World Golf Hall of Fame". ESPN. Associated Press. April 22, 2020. Archived from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
External links
[edit ]29°59′28′′N 81°28′13′′W / 29.99111°N 81.47028°W / 29.99111; -81.47028