Three time Major Champion Ernie Els is to be enshrined into the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in May next year, along with Doug Ford, the late Jock Hutchison and former US President George H. W. Bush.
Els, who won the US Open in 1994 and 1997 and The Open Championship in 2002, was elected with 66% of the vote on the PGA TOUR Ballot. Ford and Hutchison were selected in the Veterans Category and President Bush in the Lifetime Achievement Category.
PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, who was at the announcement at East Lake Golf Club, said: “Each of the inductees richly deserves of this honour and on behalf of the World Golf Foundation Board, I look forward to welcoming them into the Hall of Fame next May.
“Ernie has compiled an extraordinarily successful international career and continues to compete at the highest level. It’s terrific that Doug Ford and Jock Hutchison’s careers will be highlighted in this way as both enjoyed great success in their professional careers. And, President Bush has been and continues to be a great friend to the game of golf, he’s a terrific addition to the Hall.”
Els, winner of 24 European Tour titles and currently fourth in The Race to Dubai, said: “I was shocked and extremely honored when the call came through from Commissioner Finchem to say that I was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“I would like to thank all those who have helped make this possible, not least my family whose support has never wavered. There are too many others to mention by name, but they know who they are and can be assured of my eternal gratitude. Also to those who saw fit to believe I was worthy of a place among those who have been previously honoured, I say a big thank you."
Golf legend and Hall of Fame Global Ambassador Gary Player said of his compatriot: “I was so pleased to hear the news today that my fellow South African Ernie Els has been selected to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Ernie certainly deserves this recognition, as he epitomises a “world” golfer. He is a credit to the game and an ambassador for the sport. Ernie has been a wonderful friend over the years and I am very fond of him and his family.”
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the Class of 2011,” said Jack Peter, chief operating officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum. “Our mission is global in scope and this year’s class certainly reflects the global character of the game and those who have competed and contributed to it for so many years. The 2011 Induction Ceremony will be a grand celebration of golf around the world and we look forward to welcoming this class into the Hall of Fame & Museum and sharing their stories with golf fans for years to come.”
The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum’s Induction Ceremony is set for Monday May 9, 2011, at World Golf Village in St Augustine, Florida.
