Our Mission
The mission of the World Golf Hall of Fame is to celebrate golf and preserve the legacies of those who have made it great.
The Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution and is allied with 25 national and international golf organizations, including the organizations in its Board of Directors: The European Tour, LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, The R&A and USGA.
Our History
PINEHURST & ST. AUGUSTINE
The golf world came together in 1974 to form a central location to honor its greats, regardless of gender or nationality. The World Golf Hall of Fame opened in Pinehurst, North Carolina, to much fanfare as the first class of legends was inducted. President Gerald Ford was among the luminaries on hand to welcome the Hall’s first class, which included 13 of the game’s greatest.
Patty Berg, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Robert Tyre Jones, Jr., Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Francis Ouimet, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Harry Vardon and Babe Zaharias were all honored in the first induction class.
In all, the Hall of Fame in Pinehurst inducted 71 new members.
On May 19, 1998, the World Golf Hall of Fame opened in its new location in St. Augustine, Florida. Several members of the inaugural class, including Palmer, Sarazen and Snead, were on the stage to welcome the first class for the new building: Nick Faldo and Johnny Miller.
After a quarter century at the World Golf Village, the Hall of Fame returned to Pinehurst and opened its doors to a new building a few hundred yards from the Resort’s famed No. 2 Course. The reimagined visitor experience includes nearly 3,000 artifacts in the Member Locker Room, along with updated videos, state-of-the-art touchscreen interactives and a new app where you can hear directly from the Hall of Famers about items in their lockers.
The Hall of Fame works closely with the world’s leading golf organizations, including the PGA TOUR, the LPGA, the Masters, the USGA, the PGA of America, the PGA European Tour and The R&A, along with the professional tours in Asia, Australia, Japan and South Africa on a variety of initiatives.
Each of these organizations believe in the Hall of Fame’s mission and recognizes the importance of the legacy and honoring the history of golf and the legacies of those who have made it great.
Advisory Board
As the Hall of Fame continues to reach toward accomplishing its mission, it is supported by its Advisory Board, which is made up of the world’s major golf organizations. Each organization plays a vital role in supporting the growth of the Hall of Fame and the Induction Ceremony.
Champions Tour Tournament Advisory Council
- PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Tournament Advisory Council
Board of Directors
The long-term direction and policies of the World Golf Hall of Fame are determined by the World Golf Foundation’s Board of Directors.
GUY KINNINGS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The DP World Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf, from the origins of the professional game building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity to showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes.
MOLLIE SAMAAN, COMMISSIONER
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 1,700 members representing 29 different countries.
WILL JONES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Masters is an annual golf tournament that was established in 1934 and is held at Augusta National Golf Club. It is considered one of the four major championships in professional men’s golf. Augusta National was founded by World Golf Hall of Fame members Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts.
SETH WAUGH, CEO
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 27,000 men and women golf professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide.
JAY MONAHAN, COMMISSIONER
The mission of the PGA TOUR is to expand domestically and internationally to substantially increase player financial benefits while maintaining its commitment to the integrity of the game. The PGA TOUR events are also committed to generating revenue for charitable causes in their communities.
MARTIN SLUMBERS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Formed in 2004 and based in St Andrews, The R&A seeks to engage in and support activities that are undertaken for the benefit of the game of golf. It takes its name from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the members’ club that, before 2004, had responsibility for the game but from which The R&A is now separate and distinct.
MIKE WHAN, CEO
The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history, and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. The USGA’s working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories, and Mexico.
STAFF DIRECTORY
Mike Trostel, Director, World Golf Hall of Fame
Maggie Lagle, Manager of Community Engagement and Public Programs
Hilary Cronheim, Senior Director, USGA Golf Museum and Library
