NEWS

Ball headlines inductees into PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame

By PGA of America
Published on
Ball headlines inductees into PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Celebrated golf instructor Jim Flick, the timeless Errie Ball, PGA Honorary President Jim Remy and former PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Jim Awtrey, each whose respective service to the game left an impact upon their fellow PGA Professionals, head the class of seven inductees to be enshrined in the 2011 PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame.

Also joining the 2011 Hall of Fame class are 2008 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Jim Antkiewicz of Presto, Pa.; 2009 PGA Golf Professional of the Year Jack Barber of Indianapolis; and Guy Wimberly of Elephant Butte, N.M.

The inductees will be honored Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the PGA Museum of Golf at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in conjunction with The PGA of America Fall Conference of Leaders.

Flick, who serves as the ambassador for TaylorMade Golf in Carlsbad, Calif., is one of the most prolific active PGA teaching professionals whose 51 years of PGA membership includes his teaching in 23 nations and a student roster of more than 200 Tour professionals such as Jack Nicklaus and Tom Lehman.

Ball, who at 100 is the last survivor of the inaugural Masters field of 1934, is the second longest-serving PGA Professional and continues to amaze colleagues and students by teaching at Willoughby Golf Club in Stuart, Fla.

Remy, a former professional skier from Ludlow, Vt., became the 36th president of The PGA of America during a weakening global economy and worked for grass roots stability within the membership. In 2009, Remy welcomed to posthumous PGA membership three African-American golf pioneers previously denied entry into The PGA of America.

Awtrey, of Windermere, Fla., the first chief executive officer of The PGA of America, was at the forefront of social change regarding exclusionary membership practices at championship venues and the development of PGA Golf Properties.

"It is with a great deal of pride that The PGA of America welcomes seven individuals to the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame, who by their life's work have made significant and lasting contributions to The PGA and the game of golf," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "These seven PGA Professionals have exhibited the passion for building the game and serving others that extends beyond their job description, and their names will be forever inscribed among the leaders in making golf the greatest game."