Bridgestone Golf Unveils Exciting Evolution of Its Industry-Leading Ball Fitting Program

Testing off the tee now complemented by approach shot data and greenside considerations

(COVINGTON, Ga.) - Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, is announcing exciting changes to its groundbreaking Ball Fitting program that will help golfers determine which golf ball is best suited for their game for tee shots, approach shots and greenside performance.

To date, Bridgestone’s Ball Fitting program has relied on a method of head-to-head driver testing - with a player’s current golf ball selection being pitted against a selection from the Bridgestone line that was derived from a series of driver swing measurements on its Science Eye launch monitors. In 2019, in addition to the trusted driver performance analysis, Bridgestone will begin measuring approach shot performance using an 8-iron as its testing control. Bridgestone will look at spin rates, launch angle, ball speed and other key measurements to help determine changes in accuracy, consistency and distance on approach shots from ball-to-ball. Once a player is fit into a category of ball based on the driver and approach shot testing, Bridgestone will provide that player with 2-ball sample sleeves to conduct their own greenside testing before making a final determination as to which ball they make their “gamer.”

“In 2006, we launched a program that changed the conversation golfers were having from which players were playing which balls on Tour, to which ball should I play that best fits my game,” said Adam Rehberg, Golf Ball Fitting Manager, Bridgestone Golf, Inc. “As we have continued our efforts to educate consumers through many different methods about the best way to choose a golf ball fit for them, technology has advanced and consumers have become more sophisticated about what questions to ask. So, in 2019, we are adding approach shot analysis and short-game considerations to our in-person fittings. We will be able to confidently fit golfers the same way they play the game, from tee to green.”

Bridgestone’s Ball Fitting program, which launched in 2006 as “The Bridgestone Challenge,” is credited with being the first consumer-focused system to use science-based launch monitor data to educate golfers on how different golf balls affect their games - encouraging them to choose golf balls based on data metrics rather than the emotional appeal of what Tour players are playing. What Bridgestone found was astonishing. An incredible 7 out of 10 players tested benefitted from being fit for a golf ball, gaining distance and/or accuracy off the tee.  Through 2018, Bridgestone has conducted over 300,000 in person fittings and over 2.1 million golfers in total have been aided in their golf ball selection with tools like B-FIT Chat, On-Line Golf Ball Selector and the B-FIT Swing App that allows golfers to conveniently measure their swing characteristics using their smart phone’s camera. In addition to being used as a diagnostic tool, Bridgestone has also relied on Ball Fitting in product R&D with several balls being developed as a result of information gleaned through the program.

In 2019, Bridgestone will return to a greater emphasis on its in-person fittings, relaunching teams of ball-fitting professionals to conduct one-on-one fittings at golf courses, retailers and other special events throughout the golf season.

“Greenside testing is challenging because feel is so subjective when it comes to player preferences on chips and pitches, so what better way for a player to ensure they have a ball that fits their game on and around the greens than doing some testing of their own with complimentary balls,” said Rehberg. “We are confident that with the evolution of our Ball Fitting methodology golfers will have a clearer picture than ever before about how a golf ball’s construction impacts every facet of their game.”

Bridgestone’s new Ball Fitting program will kick-off in Atlanta during the Super Bowl Experience at the Georgia World Congress Center and Super Bowl LIVE in Centennial Park. This spring Bridgestone’s evolved Ball Fitting will make its way to select Sunbelt markets, expanding its reach nationwide this summer and fall.  For more information about Bridgestone’s enhanced Ball Fitting program visit www.BridgestoneGolf.com.

Golf Pride Expands TOUR SNSR Series with New Contour Pro Oversized Putter Grip

(PINEHURST, NC) - Golf Pride a division of power management company Eaton and an industry leader in grip innovation, today announced it is expanding its popular TOUR SNSR putter grip family with the new Contour Pro. The Contour Pro putter grip offers the leading Tour-preferred, pistol-shape in two oversized models for unsurpassed feel and feedback.

The TOUR SNSR Contour Pro utilizes the same soft, ultra-tuned rubber formulation as its predecessors giving the grip an excellent feel and facilitating lighter grip pressure to encourage a smoother stroke. The proprietary TOUR SNSR technology enhances feedback, affording better distance control on greens of all speeds.

The TOUR SNSR Contour Pro putter grip also features soft, rounded edges, and a pistol flare back to more naturally fit in the hands. The shape includes a wide, paddle front for a consistent landing zone for the fingers and a tapered profile for players who prefer the traditional, sculptured grip design. This pistol shaped putter grip with contour has been trusted by the best players in the world to win the most coveted championships in golf.

“The TOUR SNSR has been our most popular putter grip family since its introduction two years ago,” said Bruce Miller, product manager, Golf Pride. “With the new Contour Pro, we took our most preferred shape on TOUR and combined it with our oversize TOUR SNSR technology. When it comes to putting, amateurs and professionals are on a more level playing field.

The new TOUR SNSR Contour Pro putter-grip offers those elite player-shape preferences that aid in consistent stroke and distance control.”

Available in an understated black/grey colorway, the TOUR SNSR Contour Pro putter grip will be available at retail March 2019. The Contour Pro putter grip will come in 104cc and 140cc size options and feature a retail price of $26.99. For more information on the TOUR SNSR Contour Pro and the entire 2019 Golf Pride product offering, visit GolfPride.com.

Eaton’s Golf Pride Division is one of the world’s largest manufacturer of golf grips, with manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities on six continents. The division’s Golf Pride brand is recognized globally as the number one choice in grips among TOUR and recreational players, competitive amateur golfers, club manufacturers and club repairmen. For more information, visit GolfPride.com.

Lynx Golf Offers First Look at Prowler VT Driver with Switch-Face Technology

Interchangeable Faces Provide True Loft Adjustability

(Weybridge, Surrey, UK) – Lynx Golf – the iconic equipment brand trusted by multiple major championship winners over its storied history – introduces the Prowler VT Driver with Switch-Face Technology, a revolutionary new design concept that uses interchangeable faces to provide golfers the ability to adjust the true loft of their club.

The result of nearly a decade of trials and testing, Prowler VT brings a new level of customization to the high-performance driver category. Other adjustable drivers change loft by rotating the clubhead around the hosel, resulting in the face sitting open or closed relative to the target. Switch Face Technology allows golfers to change the true loft of the hitting surface while keeping the clubhead square to the ball.

Prowler VT is designed with an entirely removeable face that is secured to the clubhead via attachment screws. At launch, the company will offer faces in five lofts (8, 9, 10, 11 and 12) with varying open and closed settings (2- degrees closed, 1-degree closed, square, 1-degree open, 2-degrees open). This will give golfers 25 different loft and face angle options initially, with more planned to follow.
 
“Lynx has always been a brand that pushed the boundaries of equipment design in order to help players of all skill levels improve,” says Steve Elford, CEO and co-owner of Lynx Golf. “Switch-Face Technology represents the latest in a long line of innovations that have changed the world of golf clubs for the better.”

Additional benefits of the Prowler VT include an increased MOI, the result of moving weight once occupied by an adjustable hosel to the perimeter of the driver head via the face’s attachment screws. Greater ball speed and forgiveness will be created by the Effective Energy Transfer system, which will be found inside each face, which equally disperses the ball’s impact force throughout the hitting surface.

The Lynx Prowler VT with Switch-Face Technology will be sold with a free face of the customer’s choice, with individual faces available separately. Pre-orders are being taken now, and will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. The Prowler VT with Switch-Face Technology comes in either an Orange/Black or White/Black colourways. Each driver comes stock with UST Mamiya Recoil shaft and a Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grip. Additional shaft and grip options are available for a charge.

Founded in the 1970’s by John Riley Sr. and Carl Ross, Lynx Golf quickly established a large and loyal following among the game’s best players. This included legendary ambassadors who trusted the brand to help them capture victories at the 1992 Masters and 1994 US Open, among other wins.

More recently, in the UK in 2011 Lynx was licensed to Charles Claire LLP, based in Weybridge, Surrey, owned by husband and wife Elford and Zinser. In 2013, Charles Claire fully acquired the Lynx marque for the UK and Europe, and just over a year ago it acquired the Global Lynx Trademark Portfolio from Dick’s Sporting Goods in the USA.

Under the new UK ownership, Lynx Golf has become one of the great success stories in the golf industry, recording double-digit annual sales increases every year since 2013. In 2018, sales were up 50% year-over-year and the company now has more than 1000 live retail accounts in 15 European countries.

Its renowned product lines include everything from TOUR-caliber clubs, such as the Prowler VT irons, to products geared for mid-to-high handicappers. At the professional level, the brand continues to draw talent, as its ambassadors include the legendary Dame Laura Davies and former European Tour standout, and current Sky Sports TV presenter, Nick Dougherty, as well as Lydia Hall, Becky Brewerton and Trish Johnson.

For more information visit: www.Lynxgolfusa.com.

Bushnell Unveils Pro XE at the PGA Show

The Longest, Most Accurate, Most Consistent Golf Laser Rangefinder Ever

(Overland Park, Kan.) – Bushnell Outdoor Products, makers of the #1 laser rangefinder on the PGA Tour, today introduced its latest innovative laser rangefinder – Pro XE. Used by over 99 percent of PGA Tour players, Bushnell continues to evolve advanced technologies. The Pro XE introduces Slope with Elements, a technology that takes Bushnell’s Tour-trusted compensated distances to the next level .  Temperature and altitude have now been added to Bushnell’s patented Slope technology to give golfers the most precise compensated distances ever.

“The Pro XE sets a new standard in laser rangefinders,” said John DeCastro, Bushnell Golf Global Product Director. “From improved optics and longer ranging, to convenience features like Visual Jolt and BITE, Pro XE offers features golfers at all skill levels can appreciate. Updating our proprietary slope algorithm and adding ‘elements’ brings unmatched precision to the industry, making it the clear choice for Tour and elite amateur players

The Pro XE will set the industry standard with the development of a new “Slope” Algorithm. The improved “Slope” takes into account the most updated ball flight measures giving a much sharper angle of descent over the previous algorithm. Bushnell provides the only compensated “Play As” distance that takes actual ball flight into account, whereas competitors use simple  geometry, which is easy to calculate, but not nearly as accurate. Bushnell prides itself on providing trustworthy and accurate distances to all golfers.

JOLT has been taken to the next level with the all new PinSeeker with Visual JOLT Technology.  A red ring now flashes as JOLT vibrates to give the golfer even greater feedback and confidence to know you have locked onto the flag.  Also new to the Pro XE will be the introduction of “BITE” technology.  The BITE magnetic mount allows the laser rangefinder to be secured to the cart bar without the need for an aftermarket accessory.

The Pro XE also sets the gold standard in ranging performance with the ability to range flags at 500+ yards.  7X magnification enables you to have a better view of what you are ranging, and the newly enhanced ultra-bright backlight display provides crisp, clear data output in the LCD.

Pro XE Features:
- Slope with Elements
- PinSeeker with Visual JOLT Technology
- Built-in BITE Magnetic Mount
- Ranges 500+ yards to a flag
- 7X Magnification
- Accurate within 1 yard
- Positive click Slope Switch (Pro XE is legal for tournament play when Slope mode is disabled)
- Enhanced Ultra-Bright Backlight Display
- Rubber armored metal housing
- IPX7 Fully Waterproof
- Newly Designed Premium Carry Case includes clip for golf bag, belt loop attachment and velcro golf bag strap attachment

The Pro XE will be available at Bushnell retailer’s nationwide beginning in Late-March.  Retail price for the Pro XE is $549.99.

For more information on the Bushnell Golf family of rangefinders, visit www.bushnellgolf.com.

Titleist Introduces New Scotty Cameron Phantom X Putters

New Line Includes Nine High-Tech Mallets, Solid Face Construction, Tour Preferred Alignment Cues and Multiple Shaft Bend Setups 

(FAIRHAVEN, Mass.) – Scotty Cameron has created his most technically advanced putter line to date with the 2019 Phantom X family – a collection of nine new modern mallets engineered to take putting performance to the next level.

The Phantom X line presents players with a variety of new mallet setups built around a cohesive mix of five head styles, with multiple shaft bend and alignment options. To maximize MOI, each Phantom X model incorporates multi-material construction featuring precision milled solid aluminum faces integrated with 303 stainless steel heads with enhanced vibration dampening technology.

Available in golf shops worldwide beginning April 12, Phantom X replaces the Futura family while advancing Titleist Master Putter Maker Scotty Cameron’s proven multi-material construction methodology of combining 303 stainless steel and 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum for increased MOI, optimal weight distribution, improved sound and responsive feedback.

QUOTING SCOTTY CAMERON: “Phantom X is by far the most high tech putter line we’ve designed to date. This product is so much faster looking, and taken to the next level, that it needed a new name. It’s a major leap in performance. We’ve designed a variety of flange setups, alignment options and shaft bends to offer mallet players more models to choose from. I was inspired by Tour players who’ve asked for slightly smaller profiles with more alignment options and solid face construction. The engineering has been ramped up to an entirely new level to bring this brand new line to life. Phantom X is the ultimate lineup for mallet players.”

2019 PHANTOM X TECHNOLOGY: The Phantom X line comprises nine modern mallets based on five new, refined and streamlined head shapes – featuring low-bend, mid-bend and straight shaft setups, in addition to a variety of flange orientations and improved alignment cues:

• FIVE NEW HIGH-TECH, MULTI-MATERIAL HEADS: Each Phantom X putter is a precision milled, multi-component mallet based on one of five new head designs. These models are slightly more compact than their Futura predecessors with sleek, ground-hugging contours that pleasingly angle away from the player to inspire confidence at address, yet still employ aluminum and steel components perfectly matched for optimal shape and weight distribution.

• TOUR PREFERRED ALIGNMENT: A variety of tour-preferred setups offer multiple alignment options, including: continuous lines from the leading edge all the way back; simple sight dots; raised or stepped down flanges; and wider or “vanishing” toplines. Alignment features have been accentuated with longer, racing-inspired lines and triple milled sight dots highlighted in neon yellow paint to frame the golf ball at address.

• MULTIPLE SHAFT BEND OPTIONS: With three shaft options – low-bend, mid-bend and straight – offered across the Phantom X line, players have more choices with regard to their preferred amount of toe flow. Phantom X models with “.5” in the name (i.e., 5.5, 7.5 and 8.5) have a shorter, low-bend shaft configuration with one shaft of offset for more toe flow to promote an arc in the putting stroke. The Phantom X 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12 models have a slightly taller, mid-bend shaft for a near-face balanced setup that produces less toe flow than the .5 models. The Phantom X 6STR has a straight shaft with zero offset.

• SOLID FACE TECHNOLOGY: Each Phantom X mallet is constructed with a standard-milled, 6061 aircraft aluminum face anodized black that extends back and through the flange areas of each model. This results in solid feedback, while preserving the soft feel players prefer.

• NEW CUSTOM DESIGNED GRIP: The Phantom X line marks the debut of the new Pistolero Plus grip in cement gray with gloss black paintfill. The Pistolero Plus is a modified Pistolero grip with a thicker, less tapered right (low) hand that combines the tour-preferred performance and feel of a rubber Pistolero-style grip with a slightly built-up feel perfectly suited to mallet putters.

2019 PHANTOM X MODELS: The nine new Phantom X models deliver key performance benefits in design, construction, alignment and shaft bend options:

• Phantom X 5: The evolution of this Tour-proven wingback mallet with a single mid-bend shaft continues with a solid aluminum face anodized in black that extends back into the stepped down flange, framed by misted stainless steel. Three milled topline sight dots painted neon yellow and framed with polished aluminum provide simple but effective alignment to the sweet spot.

• Phantom X 5.5: Identical in shape to the Phantom X 5, the 5.5 has a lower shaft bend that provides enhanced toe flow for players seeking stability while still creating an arc in the stroke. This bend was inspired by Justin Thomas’ Tour prototype setup and combines some of the feel of a blade putter with the forgiveness benefits of a mallet.

• Phantom X 6: A face balanced mallet with a single mid-bend shaft provides distinct alignment cues, with two long neon yellow sight lines milled into the stepped down flange, framing three milled sight dots on the misted black anodized topline. Customizable sole weights increase MOI and stability through the stroke.

• Phantom X 6STR: Constructed without a spud and with zero offset, the straight shafted 6STR produces face balanced performance with a clean and minimalist look at address. The topline sight dots of the Phantom X 6STR are painted neon yellow for easy alignment in conjunction with the extended neon yellow sight lines in the stepped down flange.

• Phantom X 7: A single mid-bend-shafted, near-face balanced setup, Phantom X 7 features a heel-to-toe tapered aluminum face that is sculpted into a raised center flange for a continuous, connected surface from the leading edge all the way back. Framed by stepped down, angular stainless steel components, the Phantom X7 combines the benefits of long flange sight lines with a semi-traditional topline for easy horizontal and vertical alignment at setup. Also available in a left-handed model.

• Phantom X 7.5: With a single low-bend shaft crafted to promote enhanced toe flow with forgiveness, the Phantom X 7.5 employs a raised center flange offering a continuous, connected surface accented with neon yellow alignment cues from the leading edge through the back flange. Also available in a left-handed model.

• Phantom X 8: Inspired by touring professionals seeking a putter with simple visual cues and a continuous transition from leading edge through the back flange, the Phantom X 8 is a sleek, near-face balanced mallet with a single mid-bend shaft. Milled sight dots and neon yellow sight lines perfectly frame the golf ball for seamless alignment without distractions.

• Phantom X 8.5: Differing from the Phantom X 8 only in shaft bend length and increased toe hang, the Phantom X 8.5 offers players an unbroken, sculpted flange from the putter’s leading edge through the back flange with a single low-bend shaft to promote a slightly arced putting stroke. Alignment is easy with bright visual cues.

• Phantom X 12: With swept-back wings precision milled from 303 stainless steel, this near-face balanced, high-MOI mallet with a single mid-bend shaft employs the continuous alignment features of the Phantom X line’s full leading-edge-to-flange construction – crafted from aircraft grade aluminum, anodized black and accented with neon yellow sight cues. The ultimate in technology, stability and forgiveness.

PHANTOM X WEIGHTING & SHAFTS: Each new Phantom X putter features advanced stability weighting with two, customizable stainless steel heel-toe weights and stepless steel shafts.

FINISH & GRAPHICS: The Phantom X line’s 6061 aircraft grade aluminum components have been anodized black in a misted finish that helps to reduce sun glare. The 303 stainless steel putter head components have also been misted for a radiant yet glare resistant appearance. Scotty’s familiar three-dot theme carries through to the back cavities of the Phantom X 5, 5.5, 6 and 6STR as unpainted, raw circles revealed by milling away the black anodization. Neon yellow paintfill provides bold visual guidance in sight lines, while sight dots have been double-milled to highlight the neon yellow paintfill with a ring of silver-colored aluminum.

AVAILABILITY: Scotty Cameron Phantom X putters will be available worldwide on April 12, 2019, through Titleist authorized golf shops. MAP $429.

ON THE WEB: www.scottycameron.com

Bridgestone Golf Utilizes 12-years of Ball-Fitting Data to Build Balls with Unparalleled Distance, Forgiveness

Introducing e12 SOFT and e12 SPEED

(COVINGTON, Ga.) - Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, unveiled today its innovative e12 family of golf balls, using 12 years of proprietary ball-fitting data to take distance and accuracy performance to a new level.  The e12 family of balls builds upon the 3-piece, surlyn construction, spin-reducing forgiveness of Bridgestone’s popular e-series, now with more power than ever before.

The e12 family includes two models – e12 SOFT and e12 SPEED – delivering increased firepower off the tee and reduced sidespin for players who need it most.  Both of the e12 balls feature Bridgestone’s proprietary new Active Acceleration Mantle layer as a key component of their 3-piece construction.  The Active Acceleration Mantle is comprised of a new High Performance Polymer material that provides increased thrust and higher initial velocity at impact, while allowing Bridgestone to soften the core for greater forgiveness and enhanced feel.  In addition, each of the balls utilizes Bridgestone’s Delta Wing Dimple pattern for less drag and optimized aerodynamics.

The e12 SOFT is designed specifically for players with less than 105 mph swing speeds who fight sidespin challenges, while the e12 SPEED is intended for higher swing speed players (greater than 105 mph) who struggle with accuracy off the tee.

“With the benefit of 12 years of ball-fitting data, we have amassed an incredible body of data that has allowed our R&D engineers to pinpoint specifically what causes players to lose distance and accuracy in golf ball construction,” said Elliot Mellow, Golf Ball Marketing Manager, Bridgestone Golf.  “Contrary to the traditional school of thought in golf ball design, where power comes solely from the core, our new Active Acceleration Mantle actually allows us to derive additional power from the mantle layer to boost distance. We’ve created the ‘holy grail’ of distance performance golf balls - a 3-piece surlyn construction that minimizes sidespin to provide ultimate forgiveness, while delivering velocity needed to ensure maximum distance.”

The Bridgestone e12 SOFT and e12 SPEED balls will hit retail on February 15th, 2019 and feature a street price of $29.99 per dozen.  In addition to the classic white version, the e12 SOFT will also be available in bright Matte Green, Matte Red and Matte Yellow colors.

In addition to the new e12 SOFT and e12 SPEED, Bridgestone Golf has a diverse portfolio of golf balls, designed based on information gleaned through ball-fitting, to meet the needs of a wide range of player performance characteristics, including the popular TOUR B series. For more information on the company’s entire offering of golf balls and for help selecting the right ball for you, visit bridgestonegolf.com.

Woods Honored with GWAA's Ben Hogan Award; Miller, Ogilvy Also Win Awards

(HOUSTON) - Tiger Woods’ comeback from spinal fusion surgery in 2017 that culminated with his victory in the TOUR Championship last September has earned him the Ben Hogan Award, given by the Golf Writers Association of America to a player who has overcome a physical handicap or serious injury to remain active in golf.

In addition to Woods, the GWAA has named Johnny Miller winner of the 2018 William D. Richardson Award, given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to golf, while Geoff Ogilvy is the recipient of the ASAP Sports/Jim Murray Award given to a player for his or her working relationship with the media.

Woods, a 10-time winner of the GWAA’s Player of the Year Award and former winner of the GWAA’s Charlie Bartlett Award, underwent fusion surgery in April 2017 after three previous procedures on his back that had significantly limited his playing career.

In 2018, Woods played 18 PGA TOUR events, picking up his 80th career victory at the TOUR Championship. The win ended a winless streak of more than five years.  Woods also finished second twice and had seven top-10 finishes in a season in which he was selected to play on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. He started the year ranked 1,199th and finished the season at No. 13.

 “I’m grateful to receive an award named after Mr. Hogan and to join a group of truly inspirational individuals,” Woods said.

 “I feel very fortunate that I was able to return to a normal life with my kids, and I understand what a privilege it is to play competitive golf again. I would like to thank the fans for their unwavering support and the GWAA for this honor.”

 Miller will retire in February from NBC Sports where he has been the lead golf analyst since 1990. Controversial at times due to his often blunt opinions, Miller has been one of the leading voices in the game for nearly three decades. His last broadcast will be the 2019 Waste Management Open.

As a player, Miller won 25 times on the PGA TOUR including two major championships. He became the first player to shoot 63 in a major championship when he did it at the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1990.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as a recipient of the William D. Richardson Award and to have my name alongside such respected figures who have contributed so much to golf,’’ Miller said. “I’m very appreciative of the Golf Writers Association of America for this distinction, and for their support throughout my career as both a player and a broadcaster.”

Ogilvy joined the PGA Tour in 2001 and won eight times, including the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot and three World Golf Championship events.

A student of golf course architecture and a sharp observer of the game and the people who play it, Ogilvy has shared his insights with the media through the years while also writing himself.

“I’m honored to receive this award,’’ Ogilvy said, “and honored to be in the company of the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Crenshaw and Davis Love.’’

All three will be honored April 10 at the ISPS HANDA GWAA 47th Annual Awards Dinner presented by the PGA of America and USGA and held in Augusta, Ga. The GWAA will also honor  Player of the Year Brooks Koepka, Female Player of the Year Ariya Jutanugarn and Senior Player of the Year Bernhard Langer.

Former Hogan award winners include Stacy Lewis, Judy Rankin, Gene Sauers, J.B. Holmes, Tom Watson, Sophie Gustafson, Barbara Douglas, Jarrod Lyle, Ken Green, Erik Compton, Denis Watson, Hubert Green, Bruce Edwards, Scott Verplank, Jose-Maria Olazabal, Casey Martin, Paul Azinger, David Meador, Lee Trevino and Ken Venturi.

Past recipients of the Richardson Award, named for The New York Times’ William D. Richardson who was instrumental in the founding of the GWAA in 1946, include Nicklaus, Palmer, Hogan, Crenshaw, Billy Payne, Tim Finchem, Dottie Pepper,  Rankin, Doc Giffin, David Fay, Jack Burke, Jr., the Harmon Family, Furman Bisher, Maj. Dan Rooney, Pete Dye, Louise Suggs, Nancy Lopez, Sandy Tatum, Dan Jenkins, Judy Bell, Babe Zaharias, Bobby Jones, Clifford Roberts, President Dwight Eisenhower, Patty Berg, Gene Sarazen, Harvey Penick, Peggy Kirk Bell, Frank Hannigan and Trevino.

Previous ASAP Sports/Jim Murray winners include Palmer, Nicklaus, Lopez, Crenshaw, Love, Stewart Cink, Brad Faxon, Steve Stricker, Padraig Harrington, Juli Inkster, Jim Furyk, Nick Price, Jay Haas, Laura Davies and Ernie Els.