Cristie Kerr, Lydia Ko and Dottie Pepper were each honored at this year's Golf Writer's Association of America awards dinner on April 6th.
Cristie Kerr:
Cristie Kerr’s 20th year of professional golf remains a passionate pursuit – from this week’s Honda LPGA Thailand event to a possible summer berth in the Rio Olympics.
Yet it’s another passion -- her commitment to the fight against breast cancer -- that earned Kerr praise from the Golf Writers Association of America. The two-time major winner has been named winner of the 2016 Charles Bartlett Award, given to a golfer for unselfish contributions to the betterment of society.
Lydia Ko:
Even with the emergence of a new year, the old one was so good for a couple of kid golfers that it is still paying dividends.
Victorious five times each in 2015, Jordan Spieth, 22, and Lydia Ko, 18, were named Players of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America.
Ko, who gathered 56 percent of the vote to win over Inbee Park, had one major title among her five wins, but it came in dramatic fashion. With a closing 63, Ko stormed to a five-stroke win in the Evian Championship in France, becoming the youngest women to win a major.
“I'm so honored to receive this award from the GWAA and I appreciate the recognition from the many media who cover the LPGA,” said Ko. “I am proud of what I accomplished in 2015 and I am working hard to continue achieving my goals this season."
Dottie Pepper:
More than her 17 LPGA Tour wins, the pair of major triumphs at the Nabisco Dinah Shore, and a playing career that covered 17 seasons, Dottie Pepper was heralded for great passion for the game.
But it’s because that passion has carried on after retirement that she will be honored by the Golf Writers Association of America with the 2016 William D. Richardson Award. Given in recognition to an individual who has consistently made an outstanding contribution to golf, the award cites Pepper for her many roles.
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