The Masters is a tradition unlike any other, and for 43 consecutive years, part of that tradition is the annual ISPS Handa GWAA Awards Dinner Presented by the PGA of America, PGA Tour and USGA. That tradition continues when the Golf Writers Association of America present nine awards to the year’s best.
The LPGA Tour will be heavily represented as well with Stacy Lewis and Morgan Pressel in attendance to accept the Female Player of the Year and Charlie Bartlett Award, respectively.
Lewis won the Female Player of the Year award after a 2014 season that hasn’t been replicated by an American since 1992, winning three of the season’s biggest honors in 2014 – the money list title, Vare Trophy and Rolex Player of the Year. Lewis posted three wins and led the Tour with 18 top-10 finishes in 28 events. Lewis previously won this award for the 2012 season, with Inbee Park taking the 2013 award.
“It’s a true honor to be recognized as GWAA Player of the Year for the second time,” Lewis said.
Pressel, 26, is being awarded the Charlie Bartlett Award, given to a playing professional for unselfish contributions to the betterment of society, for her foundation’s work in heightening breast cancer awareness and research to fight the insidious disease. The Morgan Pressel Foundation has raised more than $3.4 million over the last six years.
“Carrying out the mission of the Morgan Pressel Foundation is a team effort, and an honor like this would not be possible without the hard work of many, especially my family and my community at St. Andrews Country Club,” Pressel said.
Pressel finds herself in outstanding company with this award, joining Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lorena Ochoa, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Ernie Els, and the late Payne Stewart as Bartlett Award honorees.
“I am truly humbled to be selected to receive the Bartlett Award this year,” Pressel said. “To know that I will be joining an amazing group of individuals who have received this award before me is a great honor.”
The LPGA also wants to congratulate longtime Golf Digest senior writer Ron Sirak, who will be awarded the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award for an exemplary career in journalism. Sirak was particularly instrumental in the transformation of national coverage of women’s golf and helping to expand the Associated Press’ golf coverage to include women’s golf in 1996.
"Ron Sirak has brought readers to the heart of a story, connecting us with many of the amazing personalities in our game while also delivering balanced reporting on issues affecting our industry," PGA of America President Derek Sprague said. "Ron is one of the most trusted voices in golf and a friend to all who play the game."