The World Golf Foundation Board of Directors has voted to make several changes to the World Golf Hall of Fame eligibility and Induction process in an effort to ensure the game’s greats from around the world are actively recognized and celebrated.
Changes to the eligibility include lowering the age of a Male or Female Competitor from 50 to 45 years of age or three years retired from the game. A player will be eligible for Induction provided he or she turns 45 the year of the Induction Ceremony. Additional changes include elimination of the Veterans category and replacing “Lifetime Achievement” recognition with “Contributor.”
“Recognizing the game’s greatest players and contributors is an important endeavor and one our sport takes very seriously,” said World Golf Foundation Board Chairman and PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “We are committed to regularly evaluating the selection process to ensure we approach it with both historical context and the future in mind. I believe these changes benefit the Hall of Fame Members, fans across the world and the institution.”
The Nominating and Selection Committees have expanded to include 18 members of the media. Hall of Famers Beth Daniel, Nick Price and Curtis Strange will join Annika Sorenstam as Co-Chairs on the Selection Committee.
“Being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame was one of the defining moments of my career, and I am honored to serve on the Selection Committee,” said Sorenstam. “These changes are positive for the Hall of Fame, and I am pleased that future members can enjoy the recognition and celebration of their achievements beginning at age 45.”
“We believe these changes will enhance the Hall of Fame in many ways and bring greater attention to the most deserving players at a time in their careers when they are still competing at the highest level,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of World Golf Foundation. “We look forward to the future of the Hall of Fame as we ensure it remains a meaningful way to recognize the game’s greats.”
The Nominating and Selection Committees will meet early this year to determine the World Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2021. The 2021 Induction Ceremony date, location and class will be announced at a later date.
For more information on the Induction criteria, categories and a full list of the Nominating and Selection Committees, visit the www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.
About World Golf Hall of Fame
The World Golf Hall of Fame celebrates golf and honors the legacies of those who have made it great. The Hall of Fame opened in Pinehurst, N.C. in 1974 where a total of 71 members were inducted before moving to its current location in St. Augustine, Florida in 1998. Continual evaluation of the eligibility criteria and selection process have resulted in modifications over the years. Individuals were previously selected for enshrinement annually into one of several categories based on an elaborate vetting and election process. The Veterans category was established to ensure that competitors who played in earlier eras had an opportunity to be considered for Induction. Over the last 20 years, 19 individuals have been inducted through the category with the final Veterans Inductee being Willie Park, Jr. in 2013. The eligibility age previously increased from 40 to 50 years old. The current criteria changes require inductees to be at least 45 years old during the year of the Induction Ceremony. The Ceremony is now a biennial process utilizing Nominating and Selection Committees to determine the incoming class. The World Golf Hall of Fame currently recognizes 160 Members.