Savannah , Ga. (April 18, 2007) – Hubert Green and Curtis Strange will become members of the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2007. Green was selected in the Veteran’s category by the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors Selection Committee and Strange was elected on the PGA TOUR ballot.
The 2007 Induction Ceremony is set for November 12 at World Golf Village in St. Augustine , Fla.
" On my golfing journey, I had no idea how high I could climb," Green said. "To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is reaching the summit; best of all is being a member of the club that hosts the greats of the game."
"It’s a tremendous honor to be elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame," said Strange. "It is a very exciting time for my family and me, and also those who’ve been supportive over the years."
"Hubert Green and Curtis Strange are most worthy players to have their careers recognized and celebrated through induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame," said Timothy W. Finchem, PGA TOUR Commissioner and Chairman of the World Golf Foundation. "Hubert’s two major championships were the benchmarks of a stellar professional career that included many other titles. And, Curtis’ career will long be defined by his back-to-back U.S. Opens and his many PGA TOUR victories. It is truly fitting that the Hall of Fame will be adding such distinguished and deserving players to its membership this fall."
After turning professional in 1969, Green won 19 PGA TOUR titles, including two major championships: the 1977 U.S. Open at Southern Hills and 1985 PGA Championship at Cherry Hills. He played on the 1977, 1979 and 1985 U.S. Ryder Cup teams and since his rookie season on the Champions Tour in 1997, has earned four victories. Born in Birmingham , Ala. , Green, 60, is a graduate of Florida State University . All players who have been on the PGA TOUR or International ballot for 10 years are eligible for the Veteran’s category.
Strange turned professional in 1976 and has since earned 17 PGA TOUR victories, including back-to-back U.S. Opens in 1988 at The Country Club and 1989 at Oak Hill Country Club. He became the first player in PGA TOUR history to do win consecutive U.S. Opens since Ben Hogan did in 1950-51. He played on five U.S. Ryder Cup teams in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 and captained the 2002 team. Strange, 52, was born in Norfolk , Va. , and currently resides in North Carolina .
Ninety-two percent of the PGA TOUR ballots that were mailed out were returned, and Strange was named on 70% of the returned ballots. A complete list of percentages for the 2007 Ballot Candidates is below.
"The 2007 Induction Ceremony will provide an appropriate opportunity to shine the light on the careers of these two successful players," said Jack Peter, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame. " We look forward to having Hubert and Curtis join us this November as we prepare to tell their stories for years to come."
Additional announcements for the 2007 Class of Inductees are planned for the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and The Open Championship at Carnoustie. The 2007 Class is expected to include Se Ri Pak, who has met the LPGA points criteria and is scheduled to fulfill the final requirement for Induction—10 years on the LPGA Tour—when she plays in her 10 th event this season. And, while 91 percent of the International ballots were returned, no candidates reached the minimum percentage required for induction.
For more information about the 2007 Class of Inductees or the World Golf Hall of Fame, call 904-940-4123 or visit www.wgv.com .
About the World Golf Hall of Fame
World Golf Hall of Fame, located in St. Augustine , Fla. , is the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf’s greatest players and contributors and an inspiration to golfers and fans throughout the world. A collaboration of 26 national and international golf organizations support the Hall of Fame, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, PGA of America and The R&A. The museum houses interactive exhibits and historic and personal artifacts that tell the stories of its members and the game of golf. Adjacent is the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater. For more information, visit www.wgv.com .
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As sole founding partner of World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee and World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays the lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.
NOTE TO EDITOR: Transcript from the press conference will be available on www.asapsports.com .
2007 BALLOT RESULTS
PGA TOUR Ballot ( 92% returned )
Curtis Strange (70 percent)
Craig Wood (57 percent)
Hubert Green (52 percent) * selected in the Veteran’s category in 2007
Lanny Wadkins (50 percent)
Denny Shute (31 percent)
Doug Ford (30 percent)
Bob Charles (23 percent)
Tony Lema (23 percent)
Ken Venturi (23 percent)
Mark O’Meara (19 percent)
Macdonald Smith (18 percent)
Fred Couples (17 percent)
Davis Love III (16 percent)
Miller Barber (13 percent)
Don January (13 percent)
Fuzzy Zoeller (13 percent)
Dave Stockton (9 percent)
Harold "Jug" McSpaden (7 percent)
John Daly (2 percent)
David Toms (1 percent)
International Ballot 91% returned )
Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki (46 percent)
Jose Maria Olazabal (43 percent)
Sandy Lyle (37 percent)
Colin Montgomerie (27 percent)
Graham Marsh (20 percent)
Christy O’Connor, Sr. (19 percent)
Ian Woosnam (19 percent)
Peter Alliss (18 percent)
Kel Nagle (16 percent)
Norman Von Nida (10 percent)
Max Faulkner (6 percent)
Contact:
Jane Fader
904-940-4009
jfader@wghof.org
