Laura Davies, David Graham, Mark O’Meara and A.W. Tillinghast will be inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame as the 2015 ‘promotion’. The ceremony will take place on July 13, 2015, at the University of St. Andrews, a short distance from the Old Course, site of that year’s 144th Open Championship.
This is the first class to be chosen by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which debated a total of 16 finalists. The four chosen passed the required 75 percent of the votes, or at least 12 of the 16 members. The Commission was co-chaired by Hall of Fame members Nancy Lopez, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam, includes members of the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors and a mix of representatives from other institutions.
“We are very pleased to welcome Laura, David, Mark and A.W. into the Hall of Fame,” said Tim Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner, Committee member and Chairman of the World Golf Foundation Board of Directors. “This new selection process provided an evaluation of the candidates by a diverse and international group and we are delighted with the outcome. Congratulations to the 2015 ‘graduates’.”
Laura Davies: With more than 70 victories around the world and four LPGA majors, Davies is considered one of the best if not the best British player of all time. After a great amateur career, she won the rookie of the year award and the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit in 1985. In 1987 she beat now Hall of Fame members Ayako Okamoto and Joanne Carner to win the U.S. Women’s Open at Plainfield.
David Graham: More than 20 victories around the world. Graham won the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club in 1979 and the U.S. Open at Merion in 1981. Graham’s final round of 67 at the U.S. Open is considered one of the best final rounds of any major to the point that Ben Hogan called Graham to congratulate him on his feat.
Mark O’Meara: O’Meara’s big year, 1998, will be remembered for his wins at the Masters and Open Championship. With two birdies on the last two holes at Augusta National and after defeating Brian Watts in a four-hole playoff at Royal Birkdale, O’Meara became, at 41, the oldest player to win two majors in one year.
A.W. Tillinghast: Born in 1874, Tillinghast took lessons from Old Tom Morris, was an admirer of St. Andrews and used his knowledge to pioneer golf in the United States. He was a prolific architect, designing more than 100 courses in that country. He was also one of the original members of the PGA of America.
In the photo, Laura Davies, David Graham and Mark O’Meara.
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