PONTE VEDRA BEACH (Fla.) – Three-time major champion Padraig HarringtonIreland, Tom Weiskopf (the late Tom) and the remaining founders of LPGA Tour were among the people elected Wednesday to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
June 10, 2024 will be the date of induction. This is the Monday before the U.S. Open in Pinehurst in North Carolina. Six inductees (the LPGA founders were voted for as one) are the largest class since 2008.
A 20-member panel of media, golf leaders and four Hall of Fame members elected Sandra Palmer, who won 19 career victories on the LPGA Tour. Beverly Hanson, a three-time major champion, and Johnny Farrell, a former U.S. Open winner, were also among those to be elected.
Palmer and Harrington are the only remaining players to have been elected.
Butch Harmon, the swing coach, and Dottie pepper (long-time golf analyst and LPGA major champion), were two of the finalists that did not receive 75% of the votes.
Harrington was a finalist for the previous Hall of Fame election. He won his first major with the British Open at Carnoustie, defeating Sergio Garcia in a playoff. He won the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in the next year and then added the PGA Championship from Oakland Hills.
Its somewhat humble. Harrington stated that at this stage in my life, it gives me validation for what Ive done in the game of golf. This is a deep-rooted satisfaction and Im proud to be among the players who came before me. Its great to see your name next to the names of my heroes as a boy and young player.
Last August, Weiskopf, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died from it, won 16 times on PGA Tour. He also captured the British Opens lone major at Royal Troon. His contributions to golf architecture and unfailingly accurate commentary on television were extensive. His design work was well-known for his short par 4, which are some of the most enjoyable and exciting holes.
Palmer was a seven-year old before she won her first LPGA event in 1971. She then won with alarming regularity. The 1975 U.S. Open was her first major.
Palmer stated, I am overcome with emotion and very thankful. I was stunned when I received the call. This is my sixth time being nominated. It was an amazing group of women I have worked with over the years. Im going to have champagne. Its one such time when your entire career is before you.
Hanson was well-known for her wins and who she beat. The North Dakota native won 17 times the LPGA Tour and three majors. She beat Babe Zaharias to win her first pro event. Louise Suggs won two of her majors.
Six of the 13 founders and first members of LPGA Tour were already inducted. The seven remaining women were nominated as a group. They were women who helped to promote the sport, set up the course, and wrote the checks. It was established in 1950 and has grown to be the most successful women’s golf league in the world. The league offers $100 million in prize money, with no outside assistance.
Farrell was a former member of the PGA Hall of Fame, before it was moved to Florida under the World Golf Hall of Fame. He was a 22-time winner and is most famous for his 36-hole playoff victory against Bobby Jones in 1928 U.S. Open. He spent the second part of his life working as a club pro at Quaker Ridge or Baltusrol.