Padraig Harrington, Sandra Palmer along with the late Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson, Tom Weiskopf and the 13 LPGA Founders will be inducted in June 2024 during the 124th U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (March 8, 2023) – Padraig Harrington, Sandra Palmer along with the late Johnny Farrell, Beverly Hanson, Tom Weiskopf and the 13 LPGA Founders will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. Final selections were determined today by the World Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee and the elite group will become members of the World Golf Hall of Fame at the 2024 Induction Ceremony to be held on Monday, June 10, 2024 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C. coinciding with the 124th U.S. Open Championship.

“Congratulations to all of our 12 World Golf Hall of Fame finalists, as each has truly made an indelible mark on the sport and led remarkable careers,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of World Golf Hall of Fame. “We look forward to welcoming the new class into the World Golf Hall of Fame as our Inductees next June and shining a light on their achievements.”

“This is very exciting, obviously a huge honor,” said Harrington. “It’s somewhat humbling.  At this stage of my life, it gives me some validation to what I’ve done in golf.  Brings back a flood of memories.  This is a deep-down satisfaction, and I’m very proud to be included with the players before me. Seeing your name beside the names that I’ve looked up to as a boy and young golfer, it’s very nice.  Everybody on the ballot deserves to be there.  It’s unfortunate that everyone can’t be in, but it’s great to be included in the Class of 2024.”

“I’m overcome with emotion and very grateful,” said Sandra Palmer.  “It gives me an opportunity to thank the people that have helped me along the way.  I just couldn’t believe it when I got the call, this is my sixth time to be nominated.  What an incredible group of women that I played with over the years.   I’m definitely going to have some champagne.  It’s one of those times that you sit down and your whole career comes before you.  I think about the people along the way that I’d like to thank.”

The LPGA was founded in 1950 by 13 original LPGA players. Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Sally Sessions and Shirley Spork will join Patty Berg (1974 Inductee), Marlene Bauer Hagge (2022 Inductee), Louise Suggs (1979 Inductee), Babe Zaharias (1974 Inductee), Marilynn Smith (2006 Inductee), Betty Jameson (1998 Inductee) who are currently in the World Golf Hall of Fame. 

“We owe the LPGA’s long and illustrious history to the dedicated efforts and incredible commitment of our 13 Founders.  Their leadership created the most successful women’s sports organizations in the world, and they made it possible for women to pursue golf as a passion and as a career,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “Inducting all of our Founders into the World Golf Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition of the group’s vision, resilience and pioneering work that changed not only Women’s opportunities in golf, but also elevated women in sport and in society more broadly.”

The 12 finalists were Peter Dawson, Johnny Farrell, Jim Furyk, Beverly Hanson, Butch Harmon, Padraig Harrington, Cristie Kerr, Sandra Palmer, Dottie Pepper, Jay Sigel, Tom Weiskopf and the LPGA Founder.

The Class of 2024 is elected by the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee, who discussed the merits of the finalists. The Selection Committee is a 20-member panel that includes Hall of Fame Members Beth Daniel, Colin Montgomerie, Mark O’Meara and Annika Sorenstam, as well as media representatives and leaders of the major golf organizations.

The finalists were nominated by the Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee, which vetted candidates that met the qualifications.

Click here to download press kit materials for the Class of 2024. For more information on the Induction process, visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

Class of 2024 Selection Committee

Hall of Fame Members

Beth Daniel

Colin Montgomerie

Mark O’Meara

Annika Sorenstam

Institutional Seats

Will Jones, The Masters

Mollie Marcoux-Samaan, LPGA

Jay Monahan, PGA TOUR

Keith Pelley, European Tour

Martin Slumbers, The R&A

Seth Waugh, PGA of America

Mike Whan, USGA

Media

Max Alder, Golf Digest

Iain Carter, BBC

Jaime Diaz, Golf Channel

Doug Ferguson, Associated Press

Beth Ann Nichols, Golfweek

Amy Rogers, Golf Channel

At-Large Seats

Peter Bevacqua, NBC Sports Group

Jim Nantz, CBS

Jerry Tarde, Golf Digest/Discovery

The 2024 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 10, 2024 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C. coinciding with the 124th U.S. Open Championship and the Hall of Fame Museum’s opening on the United States Golf Association’s (“USGA”) Golf House Pinehurst campus next year. In July 2022, the World Golf Hall of Fame and USGA announced plans to create a new visitor experience for the Hall of Fame in the historic golf community.

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About the World Golf Hall of Fame

The World Golf Hall of Fame celebrates and honors the legacies of those who have made golf great. The Hall of Fame opened in 1974 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, where 71 members were inducted prior to the transition (in 1998) to its St. Augustine, Florida location. In 2024, the World Golf Hall of Fame will open a new visitor experience at the USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst campus in partnership with the USGA. World Golf Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the umbrella of the World Golf Foundation. To learn more, visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.

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2024 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Finalist Bios

Johnny Farrell

Country: United States

Born: April 1, 1901

Died: June 14, 1988

Category: Male Competitor

Official Victories: 22 (all on PGA TOUR)

Majors/THE PLAYERS:

• 1928 U.S. Open Additional

Career Highlights:

• Ryder Cup: 1927, 1929, 1931

Beverly Hanson

Country: United States

Born: December 5, 1924

Died: April 12, 2014

Category: Female Competitor

Official Victories: 17

Majors:

• 1955 LPGA Championship
• 1956 Women’s Western Open
• 1958 Titleholders Championship

Additional Career Highlights:

• 1950 U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion

Padraig Harrington

Country: Ireland

Born: August 31, 1971

Category: Male Competitor

Official Victories: 21 (15 on European Tour)

Majors/THE PLAYERS:

• 2007 The Open Championship
• 2008 The Open Championship
• 2008 PGA Championship

Additional Career Highlights:

• Ryder Cup: 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2020 (Captain)

Major Awards:

• European Tour Order of Merit: 2006
• European Tour Golfer of the Year: 2007, 2008
• PGA Player of the Year: 2008
• PGA TOUR Player of the Year: 2008

Sandra Palmer

Country: United States

Born: March 10, 1943

Category: Female Competitor

Official Victories: 19

Majors:

• 1972 Titleholders Championship
• 1975 U.S. Women’s Open

Additional Career Highlights:

• 2 Victories on JLPGA

Major Awards:

• 1975 LPGA Player of the Year
• 1975 Golf Writers Association of America Female Player of the Year

Tom Weiskopf

Country: United States

Born: November 9, 1942

Died: August 20, 2022

Category: Male Competitor

Official Victories: 18 (16 on PGA TOUR)

Majors/THE PLAYERS:

• 1973 Open Championship

Additional Career Highlights:

• Ryder Cup: 1973, 1975

13 Founders of the LPGA (6 were previously inducted)

•            Patty Berg (1974 Inductee)

•            Marlene Bauer Hagge (2022 Inductee)

•            Betty Jameson (1998 Inductee)

•            Marilynn Smith (2006 Inductee)

•            Louise Suggs (1979 Inductee)

•            Babe Zaharias (1974 Inductee)

Alice Bauer

• 1927-2002, from Eureka, S.D.
• Sister to WGHOF and LPGA co-Founder Marlene Bauer Hagge
• Inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame in 2015
• Inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 2022

Bettye Danoff

• 1923-2011, from Dallas, Texas
• One professional victory, the 1953 Hardscrabble Open
• 2000 LPGA Commissioner’s Award recipient, along with her fellow LPGA Founders
• Inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 2022

Helen Dettweiler

• 1914-1990, from Washington, D.C.; graduated from Trinity College
• One major victory, the 1939 Women’s Western Open, the first tournament she ever entered
  • The Women’s Western Open was recognized as a major once the LPGA was founded until 1967; all winners of the event dating back to 1930 were designated major winners by the LPGA
• Became the first female baseball broadcaster in 1938
• Was a former cryptographer for the United States Army Air Forces’ Air Transport Command during WWII, and in 1943 joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots
• Inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 2022

Helen Hicks

• 1911-1974, from Cedarhurst, N.Y.
• Two major championship victories before founding the LPGA, the 1937 Women’s Western Open and the 1940 Titleholders Championship
• A multiple amateur champion, including the 1931 U.S. Women’s Amateur
• Inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame in 2022

Opal Hill

• 1892-1981, from Newport, Neb.
• Started golf at the age of 31 and turned professional in 1938
• Two major championship victories before founding the LPGA, the 1935 and 1936 Women’s Western Open
• A multiple amateur champion, including a three-time winner of the Women’s Western Amateur (1929, 1931, 1932)
• Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1968 and LPGA Hall of Fame in 2022

Sally Sessions

• 1923-1966, from Detroit, Mich.
• First secretary for the LPGA upon its origin in 1950
• Was the first woman to break par 72 at Pinehurst, with a score of 69 in 1947
• Inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 1988 and LPGA Hall of Fame in 2022

Shirley Spork

• 1927-2022, from Detroit, Mich.
• Integral in the formation of the teaching division of the LPGA, now known as the LPGA Professional
• 1959 and 1984 LPGA Teacher of the Year Award recipient
• Inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 1968, the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981, the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2019 and LPGA Hall of Fame in 2022

The Road Trip for Success College Tour hosted by Midnight Golf is a unique opportunity for young people to explore college campuses and gain cultural exposure while playing golf. This out-of-state travel and learning experience has a significant impact on the lives of participants, providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond.

To support this important initiative, Midnight Golf is hosting a Bowl-A-Thon to raise funds for the upcoming trip to Charlotte, NC, and Atlanta, GA from Sunday, March 26 through Saturday, April 1, 2023. You can help make a difference by becoming a Lane Sponsor or making a donation.

By becoming a Lane Sponsor, you will have the opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of young people in the Midnight Golf Program. Your support will help cover the costs of transportation, lodging, meals, and cultural experiences for the participants on the Road Trip for Success College Tour. In return, your company or organization will receive recognition on promotional materials, social media, and at the Bowl-A-Thon event.

If becoming a Lane Sponsor isn’t feasible for you, making a donation is a great way to support the Midnight Golf Program. Your donation will go directly towards funding the Road Trip for Success College Tour, providing young people with the opportunity to explore college campuses and gain cultural exposure.

The Midnight Golf Program has a proven track record of success, with over 95% of participants going on to attend college or trade school. By supporting the Road Trip for Success College Tour, you can help even more young people achieve their dreams and reach their full potential

The world of golf is about to experience a significant shift as two of the most prominent players in the sport, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, are partnering to bring something new to the game. The two golf icons are set to launch their new venture, the TGL (The Golf League), which aims to revolutionize the way golf is played and experienced.

The TGL league will feature a series of team-based events, with each team consisting of four players, one of whom must be a female player. This new format promises to bring a fresh and exciting dimension to golf, attracting a wider audience to the sport. With a unique scoring system and a focus on player interaction and engagement, TGL aims to take golf to the next level.

According to Woods, “We wanted to do something that would bring a new audience to golf, and we felt like team-based events would be the way to do it.” McIlroy also shared his thoughts on the TGL, saying, “We want to make golf more accessible, more fun, and more inclusive. TGL is all about bringing people together and creating an exciting and dynamic environment for players and fans alike.”

Golf experts have also weighed in on the potential impact of the TGL on the sport. Adam Scott, former world number one golfer, believes that TGL will be a game-changer. “I think it’s fantastic. Tiger and Rory are two of the biggest names in golf, and if they’re putting their weight behind this, then it’s going to be something special. It’s a great opportunity to bring more people to the game and showcase what golf is all about.”

Similarly, golf analyst and commentator, Frank Nobilo, thinks that TGL has the potential to attract a new generation of fans to the sport. “The team-based format is going to be something that really resonates with younger audiences. It’s a fresh and exciting way to play golf, and I think that TGL has the potential to really capture the imagination of fans who may not have been interested in the sport before.”

In conclusion, the TGL league, spearheaded by Woods and McIlroy, promises to be a groundbreaking addition to the world of golf. With a focus on inclusivity, engagement, and innovation, TGL has the potential to bring a new dimension to the sport and attract a wider audience to golf.

Sure, here are 6 reason why the TLG League will succeed:

• According to a survey by the National Golf Foundation, the number of people who played golf in the United States declined from 30 million in 2005 to 24.2 million in 2020.
  
• However, the same survey found that the number of people who watched golf on TV increased by 8.4% from 2019 to 2020, indicating a growing interest in the sport.
  
• The team-based format has proven to be successful in other sports, such as the NBA and NFL, which have experienced significant growth in popularity and revenue in recent years.
  
• The LPGA has seen an increase in female participation in the sport, with the number of women golfers in the United States increasing by 12% from 2010 to 2018.
  
• The PGA Tour‘s recent partnership with DraftKings has resulted in a significant increase in viewership and engagement, with the 2021 Masters Tournament achieving record-breaking numbers in terms of fantasy sports contests and betting.
  
• Woods and McIlroy have a combined social media following of over 23 million people, indicating their potential to reach a large and diverse audience with TGL.

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIF. (March 6, 2023) – In the spirit of gratitude, honor and paying it forward, PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship charitable program of the Northern California

Section PGA Foundation, will host The Salute at Pebble Beach at the iconic Pebble Beach Resorts. The five-day celebration of independence, held June 30-July 3, 2023, will support United States military Veterans, while celebrating golf at its finest. This fundraising event will offer participants the chance to play Pebble Beach Golf Links the day before it closes for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open and includes tickets to the championship event.

Jack Nicklaus states, on the impact of PGA HOPE, “Across the United States, brave men and women have answered the call. They have sacrificed. They have done their duty honorably. Now as they return home, it’s our duty to look after them.”

“Our Veterans are responsible for our country and individual freedoms. By utilizing the great game of golf, The Salute at Pebble Beach honors those Veterans, both active and retired from service through the only Department of Veterans Affairs approved rehabilitative program. We owe it to our veterans to give back and raise funds to help them return from service in the best way we know how – through the game of golf,” said Len Dumas, PGA, Chairman of the Board, NCPGA Foundation. “PGA Hope and The Salute at Pebble Beach fundraising initiative provides participants with an opportunity to be a part of U.S. Women’s Open history and support our nation’s heroes.”

The Salute at Pebble Beach Package is priced at $12,500 for one golfer and one guest for the festivities. It includes a five-day, four-night stay at The Inn at Spanish Bay and two one-day tickets (participant’s choice) to the 78^th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach (Wednesday-Sunday). Alongside sports stars Nancy Lopez, LPGA World Golf Hall of Famer, and David Wells, 1998 Perfect Game thrower and 2x World Series champion, the five-day itinerary includes:

●      June 30: Welcome fireside reception.

●      July 1: Golf at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links before it closes for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open. The day includes lunch, dinner at leisure and hosted desserts at The Inn at Spanish Bay.

●      July 2: Salute Tournament at The Links at Spanish Bay. The day includes breakfast and a gala dinner featuring an auction and a salute to Veterans.

●      July 3: Play at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. The day includes lunch, a Patriot Parachute Team flight viewing, and a farewell Clambake & Cocktails dinner.

●      July 4: Independence Day farewells at The Inn at Spanish Bay.

All proceeds from The Salute at Pebble Beach will go to PGA HOPE programming through the Northern California Section PGA Foundation, whose three-fold mission is to serve Veterans, their health, and their families; to provide resources to PGA Members serving their communities in Northern California and Northwestern Nevada; and to grow the game of golf.

Jim Nantz states, “PGA HOPE is one of the greatest fundraising initiatives in golf. It truly Helps Our Patriots Everywhere. I’m thrilled to see the NCPGA supporting our nation’s finest.”

The full itinerary, along with Patriot Sponsorship Packages starting at $100,000 can be viewed at thesaluteatpebblebeach.com.

About Northern California Section PGA Foundation

The Northern California PGA Foundation is a 501c3, non-profit charitable organization. Founded in 2007, it is the philanthropic arm of the Northern California Section PGA. The Mission of the NPCGA Foundation is three-fold: (1) To serve Veterans – their health & their families (2) To provide resources to PGA Members serving their communities within Northern California & Northwestern Nevada, and (3) To grow the game of golf. The Northern California Section of the PGA of America is an organization of 1,100 dedicated PGA Professionals & associates at more than 400 golf facilities in Northern California & Northwestern Nevada committed to helping others through the game of golf.