FRISCO, Texas (September 18, 2023) – The PGA of America today announced the six inductees of the 2023 PGA of America Hall of Fame Class: Robert Dolan, PGA; Don Wegrzyn, PGA; Herb Wimberly, PGA; PGA Past President Suzy Whaley, PGA; LPGA Legend Kathy Whitworth; and CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz. The 2023 Class will be inducted at the 107th PGA Annual Meeting during a special ceremony on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort.
The PGA of America Hall of Fame originated in 1940 at the suggestion of famed sportswriter Grantland Rice to honor and recognize individuals who through their lives, careers, service and support have made significant and enduring contributions to the PGA of America in its mission to grow the game of golf. It is the highest honor that the PGA of America can bestow upon its membership or ambassadors of the game.
Tour Player Professional Category
Kathy Whitworth, LPGA (Posthumous)
LPGA Tour Professional
It is one of the most famous records in golf: 88 victories over a span of 23 years, an average of 3.8 victories per season starting with the Kelly Girl Open in 1962 and ending with the United Virginia Bank Classic in 1985. In those three decades, Whitworth surpassed the victory totals of Mickey Wright (82) and Sam Snead (82) to lodge herself atop the category of most tournament victories by a professional, man or woman. Born in Monahans, Texas, Whitworth grew up in Jal, N.M. She got her first set of clubs from her grandmother and started playing golf at 15. Two years later, Whitworth won the first of two consecutive New Mexico State Amateur titles. Her start on the LPGA Tour was less than auspicious. She played 26 events as a rookie and made less than $1,300. After playing so poorly, Whitworth considered quitting, but a visit to Harvey Penick convinced her to keep going. Between 1962 and 1982, she won 82 LPGA titles and in 1983 reached 84 official professional golf victories at the Women’s Kemper Open with a 40-foot putt on the 72nd hole. In 1985, she recorded her last official victory and the 88th of her career at the United Virginia Bank Classic on May 12. She was the LPGA Tour’s leading money winner eight times, LPGA Player of the Year seven times and a seven-time winner of the Vare Trophy, the most in LPGA history. Whitworth has been Inducted into the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame, New Mexico Hall of Fame, Texas Sports and Golf Hall of Fame and the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. In 2006 she was named the PGA of America’s First Lady of Golf, and in 2023 she was given an honorary membership to the Northern Texas PGA posthumously.
About Kathy Whitworth Foundation
Kathy Whitworth Foundation is a Fort Worth-based 501(c)(3), celebrating Kathy Whitworth’s legendary career by supporting participation in junior girls golf. The foundation is committed to inspiring young women to embrace confidence, strong values, and responsibility, which will in turn provide opportunity to develop leadership and sportsmanship skills for life-long success. To learn more, visit https://kathywhitworthfoundation.org
About Kathy Whitworth Invitational Junior Girls Championship
Established in 1999, the Kathy Whitworth Invitational Junior Girls Championship draws some of the best junior girl golfers in the world to Fort Worth each spring. Since its inception, the tournament has been conducted in concert with the ideals of the USGA: to promote love of the game while building confidence, character, leadership, sportsmanship and responsibility. Tournament entry acceptance is based on playing ability and merit. Many Kathy Whitworth Invitational alumnae have played in college and the LPGA, including Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Nelly Korda, Jessica Korda, Christina Kim, Jane Rah, Brittany Lang, Rachel Heck and many more. In addition to elevating junior girls golf, the tournament benefits local charities in Tarrant County. For more information, visit https://kathywhitworthinvitational.com/.
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