Honorees

KATHY WHITWORTH

(September 27, 1939 - December 24, 2022)

Considered a guiding light for the Ladies Professional Golf Association for decades, Kathy Whitworth holds the record for most tournament victories among male and female golfers with 88 since turning professional in 1958. Her remarkable career included being named LPGA leading money winner eight times, LPGA Player of the Year seven times, winning the Vare Trophy seven times, and being the first women’s player to pass $1 million in earnings, which she did in 1981. In 1965, Whitworth had eight victories on Tour, followed by nine in 1966, eight in 1967 and 10 the following year.

A three-time winner of the LPGA Championship, Whitworth served as captain of the victorious U.S. team in the 1990 inaugural Solheim Cup and served again as captain in the 1992 match.  Whitworth was LPGA President three times and was elected to the LPGA Hall of Fame in 1975.

“Kathy Whitworth was one of the truly great players of all time, and her records stand as evidence of that. But just as important, over Kathy’s lifetime, she was one of the most significant ambassadors for the game of golf. We were fortunate to pay tribute to Kathy at the Memorial Tournament as our 2002 Honoree, and we did so because of how she used her platform as a tremendous champion, and the impact she had on the game and the people who play it. Kathy was one of the foundation pieces for the LPGA Tour and someone all the younger players who came along tried to emulate. And rightfully so. Kathy Whitworth was a great role model, on and off the course.

We played several rounds of golf together through the years, and I enjoyed Kathy’s company. She always had a smile on her face, and was just a genuinely kind and nice lady. She constantly thought of others, and, in fact, Barbara and I received a Christmas card from Kathy just a few days ago. We will miss her. Barbara and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Bettye, Kathy’s family, and the countless people who were blessed to call her a friend.”

- Jack Nicklaus

BOBBY LOCKE

Four-time British Open champion Bobby Locke began his golfing career as a successful amateur in his native South Africa.  After turning professional at the age of 20 in 1938, Locke came bursting on the scene with first-year wins in the South Africa and Irish Opens and a top-10 finish in the British Open.  Locke put his golfing career on hold, however, with the onset of World War II, at which time he served with distinction as a Royal Air Force Bomber pilot.

After the war, Locke traveled to the Unites States for the first time to compete.  In just 59 tournaments, Locke claimed 11 victories, finished runner-up 10 times and came in third eight times.  In 1947, after finishing third in the Masters, he won six of the next 12 events.  Just two years later, he claimed the first of his four Open Championships.  Regarded as one of the game’s all-time greatest putters, Locke dominated across the globe, including nine South African titles, Canadian, New Zealand, and French Open victories, and three Vardon Trophies.