Bob Jones Award Winners

Presented annually since 1955, the USGA's highest honor is given in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. The award seeks to recognize a person who emulates Bob Jones' spirit, his personal qualities and his attitude toward the game and its players. The following provides a snapshot of all the recipients of the prestigious award.

1955 (Francis Ouimet): Upset U.S. Open playoff win over English stalwarts Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in 1913 at The Country Club was historic moment for American golf. Ouimet went on to win a pair of U.S. Amateur titles, compete on eight Walker Cup teams and serve as an ambassador for amateur golf.

1956 (William C. Campbell): Received award eight years before winning the U.S. Amateur, but Campbell proved more than just a great champion. The 15-time West Virginia state champion is the only person to ever serve as USGA president and captain of The R&A.

1957 (Babe Didrikson Zaharias): A pioneer and champion for women's sports, Didrikson arguably was one of the greatest all-around athletes of any generation, competing in track and field, basketball and golf. She won two gold medals and one silver medal on the track at the 1932 Summer Olympics. Fourteen years later, she won the U.S. Women's Amateur. She later would win three U.S. Women's Open titles, the latter coming in 1954 after being diagnosed with colon cancer a year earlier.

1958 (Margaret Curtis): Along with sister Harriot, Curtis combined to win four U.S. Women's Amateur titles. However, their legacy is carried on through the Curtis Cup, a biennial competition between female amateur teams from the USA and Great Britain and Ireland. While an informal competition was held in 1905, it was the push by the Curtis sisters through the donating of a trophy in 1927 that eventually brought about an official team event between the two sides.

1959 (Findlay S. Douglas): The winner of the 1898 U.S. Amateur later went on to serve as USGA president from 1929-30, making him the first USGA champion to hold the highest post on the Executive Committee.

1960 (Charles Evans Jr.): The first player to win the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur in the same year (1916). He wound up competing in a record 50 U.S. Amateurs; the Western Golf Association named its caddie scholarship program in his honor.

1961 (Joseph Carr): The first non-American to earn this distinguished honor, he competed in a record 11 Walker Cups for Great Britain and Ireland from 1947 to 1967. The Irishman won the British Amateur three times (1953, 58 and '60) and twice was low amateur at the British Open.

1962 (Horton Smith): Won the inaugural Masters Tournament in 1934. Also won the same title two years later. He also represented the USA five times in the Ryder Cup.

1963 (Patty Berg): The Minneapolis native became the third female recipient of the award. She was a founding member of the LPGA and won the inaugural U.S. Women's Open in 1946, the only time the championship was waged at match play. Among her 29 amateur titles was the 1938 U.S. Women's Amateur.

1964 (Charles Coe): One of the leading amateur players from the late 1940s to the early '60s, Coe won the 1958 U.S. Amateur and then lost in the '59 final to a young, up-and-comer named Jack Nicklaus. He also competed in six Walker Cups, including the 1959 Match as a playing captain.

1965 (Glenna Collett Vare): Arguably one of the great female amateur players of all-time, Vare won a record six U.S. Women's Amateur titles and was the runner-up on two other occasions. Her legacy lives through the Vare Trophy, which is annually given to the LPGA Tour player with the best stroke average, and the Glenna Collett Vare Trophy, which is given each summer to the winner of the U.S. Girls' Junior.

1966 (Gary Player): One of the premier international players of his era, Player won the 1965 U.S. Open title at Bellerive C.C. in St. Louis and then donated his winnings to the USGA so the Association could start a junior golf foundation. Today the USGA, through its Foundation, hands out millions of dollars in grants to grass-roots junior golf programs and programs for individuals with disabilities.

1967 (Richard Tufts): The grandson of the Pinehurst Resort founder, Tufts transcended golf at his burgeoning North Carolina facility by adding courses and bringing in major competitions such as the 1936 PGA Championship, 1951 Ryder Cup and 1962 U.S. Amateur. A longtime proponent of amateur golf, Tufts was responsible for the North and South Amateur becoming a major event on the amateur circuit. He also rose to the presidency of the USGA in 1956-57.

1968 (Robert B. Dickson): Dickson held off Marvin "Vinnie" Giles to win the 1967 U.S. Amateur by a stroke on the West Course at The Broadmoor. A year earlier, he posted a 3-0 record for the USA Walker Cup team at Royal St. George's in Sandwich, England.

1969 (Gerald Micklem): One of England's most revered golf figures, Micklem won a British Amateur championship, two English Amateur titles and was a member of four Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup squads. He also served as captain of The R&A.

1970 (Robert de Vicenzo): Probably is best known for signing an incorrect scorecard at the 1968 Masters that gave the title to Bob Goalby. But the Argentinean also won the 1967 British Open and later the inaugural U.S. Senior Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in 1980.

1971 (Arnold Palmer): Perhaps the most charismatic player the game has ever seen, Palmer transcended the sport into the television era with his swashbuckling, go-for-broke style of play and his benevolence toward the fans. Palmer won the 1954 U.S. Amateur and the 1960 U.S. Open and later became the chairman of the USGA's Members Program. The new Museum at the USGA's headquarters will be named the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History.

1972 (Michael Bonnallack): One of England's most decorated amateur players, Bonallack won the British Amateur five times. He also represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup nine times. Following his golf career, he turned his attention to golf administration, becoming secretary of The R&A (1984-99) and captain of The R&A in 2000. A World Golf Hall of Fame inductee in 2000, Bonallack received an Order of the British Empire honor in 1971 and was knighted in 1998. Today, top amateurs from Asia and Europe play for the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy every two years.

1973 (Gene Littler): One of the first breed of college golfers to enjoy success on the PGA Tour. The San Diego native won the 1953 U.S. Amateur and competed on the USA Walker Cup team that same year. He was runner-up at the 1954 U.S. Open, and seven years later, he won the Open for his only major title.

1974 (Byron Nelson): One of the true gentlemen of the sport, Nelson grew from humble surroundings in Texas to become a great champion, winning the 1939 U.S. Open in a playoff. In 1945, he won a record 11 consecutive tournaments and 18 overall. Long after he retired, the USGA named its mechanical golf-ball tester "Iron Byron" after his fluid swing.

1975 (Jack Nicklaus): Arguably the game's greatest champion with 18 professional majors and two U.S. Amateurs to his credit. He is one of four individuals to have won the U.S. Open four times, joining Willie Anderson, Ben Hogan and Bob Jones. Nicklaus also became a world-class golf course architect with many of his layouts landing among the top 100 in the U.S. and world.

1976 (Ben Hogan): Known for being one of the game's hardest workers, Hogan, like Nelson, rose from humble Texas surroundings to win nine majors, including four U.S. Opens. He recovered from a near-fatal auto accident in 1948 to win the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion in a playoff. Hogan's fondness for the USGA is illustrated with the Association establishing a special Hogan Room inside the Museum at Golf House that features memorabilia from his playing days.

1977 (Joseph Dey Jr.): Is the only person to serve as Executive Director of the USGA (1934-68) and Commissioner of the PGA Tour (1969-74). In 1996, the USGA established the Joe Dey Award given to an individual's meritorious service to the game of golf as a volunteer. In 1975, he served as captain of The R&A.

1978 (Bing Crosby and Bob Hope): Became the first non-golfers to win this prestigious honor because of their tireless support and love of the game. Crosby and Hope both had PGA Tour events named in their honor. Crosby's son, Nathaniel, would win the 1981 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club.

1979 (Tom Kite): One of the PGA Tour's steadiest players, the Texan would finally win his one and only major title at the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, negotiating the gusty winds and challenging conditions in the final round for a two-stroke victory. In 1970, he was the runner-up to Lanny Wadkins at the U.S. Amateur by a single stroke.

1980 (Charles Yates): The Atlanta native is a former British Amateur champion who learned his golf from the legendary Bob Jones at East Lake Golf Club and competed in the inaugural Masters. He competed on two USA Walker Cup teams and for years ran the amateur dinner at the Masters. His grandson, Danny Yates, would win the 1992 U.S. Mid-Amateur and captain two Walker Cup teams.

1981 (JoAnne Carner): Affectionately named "Big Mama" by her peers on the LPGA Tour, Carner enjoyed a fruitful amateur career before joining the LPGA Tour. She became the first player to win the U.S. Girls' Junior (1956) and U.S. Women's Amateur (1958) titles in consecutive years. She eventually won five U.S. Women's Amateurs before garnering two U.S. Women's Open titles, giving her a total of eight USGA championships, the most by any female player.

1982 (William J. Patton): In 1954, Patton placed third at the Masters, the highest finish by any amateur making his inaugural appearance at the tournament. He later would compete in five Walker Cups for the USA, posting an 11-3 overall record.

1983 (Maureen Ruttle Garrett): Served as president of the Ladies Golf Union from 1982-84. She won the French Amateur championship in 1946 and was the non-playing captain of the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team in 1960.

1984 (R. Jay Sigel): Enjoyed a remarkable amateur career, winning the U.S. Amateur in 1982 and '83, and the U.S. Mid-Amateur in 1983, '85 and '87 before turning pro at the age of 50 to compete on the Champions Tour. Sigel is one of six players in history to win two USGA championships in the same year. He also competed on a USA-record nine Walker Cup teams, from 1977 through 1993.

1985 (Fuzzy Zoeller): One of the game's most charismatic characters, Zoeller won the 1984 U.S. Open at Winged Foot in a playoff over Greg Norman. He is one of a handful of golfers to have won the Masters in his first appearance (1979).

1986 (Jess Sweetser): In 1926, he became the first American-born golfer to win the British Amateur. Four years earlier, he defeated Bob Jones in the semifinals and Chick Evans in the final to win the U.S. Amateur title at the age of 20. A member of the inaugural 1922 USA Walker Cup team, Sweetser competed in six Walker Cups and later served as captain in 1967 and '73.

1987 (Tom Watson): In 1982, he won his only U.S. Open title in dramatic style, holing out a pitch shot from deep rough on the 71st hole at Pebble Beach. His heroics allowed him to edge Jack Nicklaus by two strokes. Watson also registered five British Open and two Masters victories during his brilliant Hall of Fame career.

1988 (Isaac B. Grainger): He served as USGA president from 1954-55 and now has an award named in his honor. The Grainger Award is given to those volunteers who have served the USGA for 25 years.

1989 (Chi Chi Rodriguez): Known best for his on-course theatrics, Rodriguez was the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He has given countless amounts of time and dollars to charity work for kids in both Puerto Rico and the U.S.

1990 (Peggy Kirk Bell): A legendary instructor who was one of the founding members of the LPGA and a strong advocate for women's golf. A member of the 1950 USA Curtis Cup team, Bell and her husband later purchased the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C., which has thrice hosted the U.S. Women's Open.

1991 (Ben Crenshaw): Considered to have one of the best putting strokes in golf, Crenshaw twice won the Masters after a brilliant college career at the University of Texas, where he won three NCAA individual titles. He also has joined forces with Bill Coore to form a golf-design business and the two have designed many top-100 courses.

1992 (Gene Sarazen): He is one of five golfers to have won all four of golf's professional majors in his career (U.S. Open, Masters, British Open and PGA Championship). He worked his way up from being a caddie to a world-class player who won 39 PGA Tour titles. He also is credited for creating the modern sand wedge, an implement he first used at the 1932 British Open.

1993 (P.J. Boatwright Jr.): A longtime USGA Rules expert, Boatwright served as the Association's Executive Director from 1969-80. In his honor, the USGA established the P.J. Boatwright Internship Program, where individuals interested in golf careers can work at state/regional golf associations or other golf organizations to gain valuable experience.

1994 (Lewis Oehmig): In 1985, Oehmig became the USGA's oldest champion when he won the Senior Amateur at the age of 69 years, 4 months, a feat that was later surpassed by Marlene Stewart Streit (69 years, 6 months) in 2003. Oehmig won three Senior Amateurs and was the runner-up on three other occasions.

1995 (Herbert Warren Wind): While he didn't win any championships on the course, Wind was a world champion at covering and writing about the game. He remains the only writer to win the Bob Jones Award and is credited for coining the phrase "Amen Corner" while covering the Masters in 1958.

1996 (Betsy Rawls): Rawls joined the LPGA Tour in 1951 and won 55 tournaments, including eight majors, half of which were U.S. Women's Open triumphs. Today, the American Junior Golf Association has a tournament named in her honor (McDonald's Betsy Rawls Girls Championship).

1997 (Fred Brand Jr.): Brand's dedication to golf administration spanned the better part of six decades. He was president of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association and later served 11 years on the USGA Executive Committee. He also was a longtime member of the PGA National Advisory Board.

1998 (Nancy Lopez): Much like Arnold Palmer transcended golf for the PGA Tour, Lopez did the same for the LPGA Tour. A two-time U.S. Girls' Junior champion, Lopez was women's golf most visible competitor in the 1980s and 1990s. A four-time Player of the Year, Lopez was inducted into the Hall of Fame when she was 30.

1999 (Edgar Updegraff): A three-time USA Walker Cupper, Updegraff also won the 1981 Senior Amateur title for his only USGA championship.

2000 (Barbara McIntire): McIntire enjoyed a highly decorated amateur career that saw her win the 1959 and '64 U.S. Women's Amateur and represent the USA on six Curtis Cup teams. McIntire also twice served as captain in 1976 and 1998.

2001 (Thomas Cousins): The Atlanta resident is credited for revitalizing East Lake Golf Club and turning what was a crime-infested area into a place where young African-Americans can caddie and learn the game. Cousins hired Rees Jones to renovate and re-design East Lake, which was the home club of Bob Jones.

2002 (Judy Rankin): Rankin enjoyed a successful professional career, winning 26 events on the LPGA Tour before becoming a highly respected network golf announcer for ABC/ESPN. At 14, Rankin was the Missouri Women's Amateur champion, and a year later she finished as low amateur at the 1960 U.S. Women's Open.

2003 (Carol Semple Thompson): Considered by some to be the queen of women's amateur golf, the soft-spoken Thompson has won seven USGA titles, including the 1973 Women's Amateur. She has competed in a record 12 Curtis Cups for the USA. In the summer of 2008, she will captain the USA squad for a second time.

2004 (Jackie Burke Jr.): He won 16 PGA Tour events during his career, including the 1956 Masters and PGA Championship before founding Champions Golf Club in Houston with good friend and major champion Jimmy Demaret. Champions hosted the 1969 U.S. Open and 1993 U.S. Amateur. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

2005 (Nick Price): A world-class player, Price won three major championships, including consecutive PGA Championships in 1992 and '93. The Zimbabwe native is known for being one of the amenable guys on the PGA Tour and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

2006 (Jay Haas): A nine-time winner on the PGA Tour, Haas now enjoys success on the 50-and-over Champions Tour. A former Walker Cupper, Haas was a member of the NCAA champion Wake Forest team that has been called one of the greatest ever and featured 1972 U.S. Junior Amateur champion Bob Byman and future two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange.

2007 (Louise Suggs): Suggs was one of the founders of the LPGA after enjoying a highly decorated amateur career in Georgia, which included playing on the 1948 USA Curtis Cup team. During her pro career, Suggs won the 1949 and '52 U.S. Women's Open titles.

2008 (George H.W. Bush): The 41st President of the United States comes from golf pedigree, as his maternal grandfather Herbert Walker and his father Prescott Bush both were USGA presidents. The Walker Cup is named after Herbert Walker, who donated the trophy for the biennial team competition between male amateur golfers from the USA and their counterparts from Great Britain and Ireland. Bush also has been an advocate for The First Tee program whose largest contributor is the USGA.