Wake Forest Athletics
Curtis Strange Will Be Inducted Into Golf Hall Of Fame
4/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 18, 2007
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Hubert Green and Curtis Strange will become members of the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2007. Green was selected in the Veteran's category by the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors Selection Committee and Strange was elected on the PGA TOUR ballot.
The 2007 Induction Ceremony is set for Nov. 12 at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.
"On my golfing journey, I had no idea how high I could climb," Green said. "To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is reaching the summit; best of all is being a member of the club that hosts the greats of the game."
"It's a tremendous honor to be elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame," said Strange. "It is a very exciting time for my family and me, and also those who've been supportive over the years."
"Hubert Green and Curtis Strange are most worthy players to have their careers recognized and celebrated through induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame," said Timothy W. Finchem, PGA TOUR commissioner and chairman of the World Golf Foundation. "Hubert's two major championships were the benchmarks of a stellar professional career that included many other titles. And, Curtis' career will long be defined by his back-to-back U.S. Opens and his many PGA TOUR victories. It is truly fitting that the Hall of Fame will be adding such distinguished and deserving players to its membership this fall."
After turning professional in 1969, Green won 19 PGA TOUR titles, including two major championships: the 1977 U.S. Open at Southern Hills and 1985 PGA Championship at Cherry Hills. He played on the 1977, 1979 and 1985 U.S. Ryder Cup teams and since his rookie season on the Champions Tour in 1997, has earned four victories. Born in Birmingham, Ala., Green, 60, is a graduate of Florida State University. All players who have been on the PGA TOUR or International ballot for 10 years are eligible for the Veteran's category.
Strange turned professional in 1976 and has since earned 17 PGA TOUR victories, including back-to-back U.S. Opens in 1988 at The Country Club and 1989 at Oak Hill Country Club. He became the first player in PGA TOUR history to win consecutive U.S. Opens since Ben Hogan did in 1950-51. He played on five U.S. Ryder Cup teams in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 and captained the 2002 team. Strange, 52, was born in Norfolk, Va., and currently resides in North Carolina.
Ninety-two percent of the PGA TOUR ballots that were mailed out were returned, and Strange was named on 70 percent of the returned ballots. A complete list of percentages for the 2007 Ballot Candidates is below.
"The 2007 Induction Ceremony will provide an appropriate opportunity to shine the light on the careers of these two successful players," said Jack Peter, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. "We look forward to having Hubert and Curtis join us this November as we prepare to tell their stories for years to come."
Additional announcements for the 2007 Class of Inductees are planned for the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and The Open Championship at Carnoustie. The 2007 Class is expected to include Se Ri Pak, who has met the LPGA points criteria and is scheduled to fulfill the final requirement for induction -- 10 years on the LPGA Tour -- when she plays in her 10th event this season. And, while 91 percent of the International ballots were returned, no candidates reached the minimum percentage required for induction.
For more information about the 2007 Class of Inductees or the World Golf Hall of Fame, call 904-940-4123 or visit www.wgv.com.
PGA TOUR: How They Voted Player Percentage of Vote Curtis Strange 70 percent Craig Wood 57 percent *Hubert Green 52 percent Lanny Wadkins 50 percent Denny Shute 31 percent Doug Ford 30 percent Bob Charles 23 percent Tony Lema 23 percent Ken Venturi 23 percent Mark O'Meara 19 percent Macdonald Smith 18 percent Fred Couples 17 percent Davis Love III 16 percent Miller Barber 13 percent Don January 13 percent Fuzzy Zoeller 13 percent Dave Stockton 9 percent Harold Jug McSpaden 7 percent John Daly 2 percent David Toms 1 percent * selected in the Veterans category in 2007
