With the upcoming World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the Golf Guy and Birdie Bailey got to talking about exclusivity – with over 130 members (and five more being inducted this year), is the Hall too big, or is it just right? We decided to trim down the Hall of Fame to 10 people. Not an easy task. And of course, please feel free to play along and offer up the 10 people you would have in your Hall. Here are the lists for the newly-dubbed ‘Super Hall of Fame’:
Golf Guy
Old Tom Morris – The name alone gets him in. As does that glorious beard.
Walter Hagen – Third all time with 11 majors. First all time in having fun.
Bobby Jones – Gave us Augusta National. Enough said.
Sam Snead – The sweetest swing. Gets nod over Ben Hogan due to mischievous personality.
Arnold Palmer – His contributions to the game are endless. Thanks, Arnie.
Gary Player – Nine majors. Countless push-ups. And the record for countless remarks about countless push-ups.
Jack Nicklaus – 18.
Seve Ballesteros – Imagination. Passion. Swashbuckler.
Annika Sorenstam – The best women’s player ever.
Tiger Woods – One of the most dominant players ever - in all sports.
Birdie Bailey
Harry Vardon – The Vardon Grip, the Vardon Trophy and six British Opens. One of the sport’s first, true gentlemen.
Byron Nelson – The game’s greatest caretaker and perhaps best ball-striker of all time as evidenced by winning 11 straight in 1945.
Jack Nicklaus – The greatest player of all time.
Arnold Palmer – From his infectious laugh to his commanding presence on the course. Raise your iced-tea and lemonade and join me in toasting to the King.
Donald Ross – Give Michelangelo a blank ceiling, he’ll paint the Sistine Chapel. Give Donald Ross a plot of land, he’ll design Pinehurst No. 2 and so many more.
Bobby Jones – The model golfer. His talents were only matched by his popularity.
Ben Hogan – He overcame huge hurdles in the game and possessed perhaps the greatest swing the game has ever seen.
Seve Ballesteros – Never before and never since – no one could imagine and execute the short game like Seve.
Yani Tseng – She’s only 23 but is already golf’s most dominating figure and will continue to break records at historic pace. You go, girl.
Tiger Woods – Whether he gets to 19 or not, he’s ‘grown the legend’ and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest golfers – and athletes – of all time.