Tiger Woods’ March 9 induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame came as no surprise to anyone who follows professional golf.

For the 46-year-old Woods, the question was not if he was getting in, it simply was when.

Woods has all kinds of Hall of Fame credentials. His 82 PGA Tour championships and 11 PGA Tour “Player of the Year” titles make him No. 1 of all-time in those categories, along with having been ranked No. 1 in the world for 683 weeks over his career. They make Tiger’s induction automatic.

There is far more Hall of Fame-like achievements. Like winning 15 majors, second only to the legendary Jack Nicklaus. And, over a 2000-2001 season stretch, he had a majors “slam” winning the PGA, Masters, U.S. Open and British Open. They represent significant Hall of Fame qualities.

Lest we forget, his career prize money ($120,000 million) is a drop in the bucket in terms of his overall earnings, but it is an all-time PGA Tour cash prize record. And while we are on the subject of Woods and money, consider this: He took the PGA Tour prize money to new heights as he rose in the game.

Because golf fans throughout the world fell in love with to Tiger, they were willing to pay more money to watch him play in person and on television. He was as hot a commodity as any athlete in the world. Fan interest rolled over to tournament sponsorships. Companies wanted to be part of any golf tournament in which Woods was in the field. When Tiger won, the sponsors won.

An example of this was a conversation between Phil Knight, creator and CEO of Nike and then-PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem:

“All we have to do is sit back and ride the wave,” Knight said, predicting that Woods would provide them with success and a fortune. Nike continues to ride that Tiger wave, even as Tiger probably is finished with PGA Tour golf because of the leg injuries he suffered in last year’s car crash.

Another Woods Hall of Fame credential is the physical regimen he has maintained during his run as the best pro player of his time. Tiger showed tour players the importance of being fit, and how it can lead to tournament success.

Olin Browne, a PGA Tournament winner, who was a member of the PGA Player Advisory Council said of Tiger’s rigorous training: “He legitimized golf as an athletic endeavor.”

Inducted along with Woods was Finchem, who was commissioner from 1994-2016, a period in which the PGA Tour thrived. Also in this class: Susie Maxwell Berning, in the category of competitor, and Marion Hollins, the 1921 U.S. Amateur champion, who was in the contributor category.

 

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The Maine State Golf Association recently announced its tournament schedules for 2022. Two area courses will host MSGA championships — Maine Amateur Qualifier June 7 at Fox Ridge, and the Mixed Championship July 31 at Fairlawn.

Eleven area clubs will host Men’s Play Days:  Spring Meadows, May 6-7; Poland Spring, May 10; Fox Ridge, May 13-14; Fairlawn, May 27-28; Bridgton Highlands, June 24-25; Wilson Lake, June 29-30; Martindale, Aug. 1; The Meadows, Aug. 12-13; Turner Highlands, Sept. 23-24; Point Sebago, Oct. 21–22; and Martindale, Oct. 28-29.

Eight area clubs will host Women’s Play Days: Springbrook, May 31; Fairlawn, June 28; Norway, Aug. 2; Bridgton Highlands, Aug. 23; Fox Ridge, Aug. 30; The Meadows, Sept. 6; and Poland, Spring Oct. 4.

 

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 10th season as Sun Journal golf columnist. 

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