The World Golf Hall of Fame has released the 2007 PGA Tour and International ballots to the respective voting bodies comprised of golf journalists, historians and dignitaries from around the globe. The ballots are due by 2nd March.
Of the 20 candidates on the PGA Tour ballot, the top returning finishers from 2006 include Curtis Strange (50%), Craig Wood (37%) and Hubert Green (36%). The International ballot, which has 11 candidates, will again include last year’s vote leaders Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki (46%), Jose Maria Olazabal (32%) and Sandy Lyle (30%).
“Each year we look forward to releasing the ballots as it signals the first step in determining new members of the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said Jack E. Peter, the Hall of Fame’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. “We appreciate the voting bodies’ participation in this important process.”
David Toms is the only new addition to the PGA Tour ballot. Toms, who turned 40 earlier this month, qualified for the ballot with his 12 PGA Tour victories, including the 2001 PGA Championship. There were no new additions to the 2007 International ballot.
The Class of 2007 is expected to include Se Ri Pak, who has met the LPGA points criteria and is scheduled to fulfil the final requirement for Induction – 10 years on the LPGA Tour – when she plays in her 10th event this season.
International ballot voters have the ability to nominate candidates for the Lifetime Achievement category and the World Golf Hall of Fame Advisory Board can nominate for the Veteran’s category. Both discretionary categories will be determined by the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors Selection Committee.
The 2007 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, 12th November at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.
PGA Tour Candidates:
Miller Barber, Bob Charles, Fred Couples, John Daly, Doug Ford, Hubert Green, Don January, Tony Lema, Davis Love III, Harold McSpaden, Mark O’Meara, Denny Shute, Macdonald Smith, Dave Stockton, Curtis Strange, David Toms, Ken Venturi, Lanny Wadkins, Craig Wood and Fuzzy Zoeller
International Candidates:
Peter Alliss, England; Max Faulkner, England; Sandy Lyle, Scotland; Graham Marsh, Australia; Colin Montgomerie, Scotland; Kel Nagle, Australia; Christy O’Connor Sr., Ireland; Jose Maria Olazabal, Spain; Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, Japan; Norman Von Nida, Australia; and Ian Woosnam, Wales.
World Golf Hall of Fame, located in St. Augustine, Florida, is supported by a collaboration of 26 national and international golf organizations including the PGA Tour, LPGA, USGA, PGA of America and The R&A. The museum houses interactive exhibits and historic and personal belongings that tell the stories of its members and the game of golf. Adjacent is the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theatre.
World Golf Hall of Fame www.wgv.com