The 2024 Bob Jones Award was presented to Tiger Woods on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, North Carolina, before the U.S. Open Championship. The award is the United States Golf Association's (USGA) highest honor and recognizes Woods' commitment to sportsmanship and respect for golf traditions. Woods is a 15-time major champion and nine-time USGA champion who has inspired many golfers and redefined the game.
As I read about the tributes to Woods that took place during the above-mentioned presentation ceremony, I was reminded of western Pennsylvania’s storied golf history. In fact, there have been five recipients of the Bob Jones Award during its 79-year history that have a connection to western Pennsylvania. They are as follows:
1971 – Arnold Palmer, a native of Latrobe, PA is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most charismatic players in the history of golf. Dating back to 1955, he won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and the circuit now known as PGA Tour Champions. Nicknamed "The King", Palmer was one of golf's most popular stars and seen as a trailblazer, the first superstar of golf’s television age, which began in the 1950s.
1992 - Gene Sarazen, who in 1922 contracted to be the professional at Highland Country Club north of Pittsburgh. Arriving in April of that year he stocked the golf shop and gave a few lessons but spent most of his time at Oakmont Country Club practicing with Emil Loeffler. At some point, the pair visited Skokie Country Club to practice on the course that would hold the U.S. Open; in July, he came from four shots behind to win the tournament. Later that summer, he won the PGA Championship at Oakmont.
1997 – Fred Brand, Jr. known as "Mr. Golf" in western Pennsylvania. He served as president of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association and The Pennsylvania Golf Association as well as the PGA National Golf Fund and the International Seniors. He began his golf career by winning the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association Junior Championship in 1925 and 1927 and claimed the Western Pennsylvania Amateur Championship in 1927 and 1941. He was a member of the U.S.G.A. Executive Committee 1959 through 1969 and served 35 years on the PGA Advisory Board. He officiated at 30 U.S. Open golf tournaments, 37 Masters Tournaments, and 3 Ryder Cup Matches. His most memorable title was the U.S.G.A. Seniors Tournament victory in 1965.
2003 – Carole Semple Thompson an American golfer who participated only on the amateur circuit, and never turned pro is from Sewickley, PA. She is only one of five individuals to have won three different USGA individual championships. The others being JoAnne Carner, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods.
2017 – Bob Ford, longtime Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club golf professional is considered one of the game’s great ambassadors. During his tenure at Oakmont the club hosted four U. S. Opens and mentored well over 100 golf professionals, instilling in them the values of honor and hard work which he continues to espouse.
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