World Golf Hall of Fame

Dennis Walters inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on June 10, 2019!

The mission of the World Golf Hall of Fame is to celebrate golf and preserve the legacies of those who have made it great. Through revealing and inspirational storytelling and exhibitions, the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum honors its 155 members and the history of the game. The Hall of Fame's Induction Ceremony is the highlight of every other year, when new members are welcomed into the Hall of Fame in an internationally televised event that celebrates the game's long and rich heritage and recognizes its greatest players and contributors.

“The 2019 Induction Class is one of the most well-rounded groups we’ve had to date,” said Jack Peter, President of the World Golf Hall of Fame. “It is our honor and privilege to welcome Peggy Kirk Bell, Retief Goosen, Billy Payne, Jan Stephenson and Dennis Walters to the World Golf Hall of Fame family. We are excited to begin working with them as we gear up for the Induction Ceremony in Pebble Beach this June.”

The Class of 2019 was elected by the Hall of Fame’s Selection Commission, which debated a group of 15 finalists. The Inductees each passed the required 75 percent voting threshold – approval by at least 12 of the 16 members.

The Selection Commission was Co-Chaired by Hall of Fame Members Nancy Lopez, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam and included the members of the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors and a mix of institutional and at-large seats.

The finalists were vetted by the Hall of Fame’s Selection Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee vetted every candidate that met the qualifications of the Hall of Fame’s four Induction categories.

Dennis Walters is an elite golfer who was paralyzed from the waist-down at the age of 24 following a golf cart accident. He has since dedicated his career to sharing life lessons and inspiring fans and disabled golfers of all ages through golf clinics and special performances at more than 3,000 worldwide appearances. Former spokesperson and national ambassador for The First Tee, his message is to always continue hoping and dreaming. He is one of only 11 honorary lifetime members of the PGA of America. Walters was also honored with the 1978 Ben Hogan Award and was a 2018 recipient of the USGA’s Bob Jones Award.

Source: http://www.worldgolfhalloffame.org/media-center/press-releases/world-golf-hall-of-fame-class-of-2019/