Nominations for the Texas Golf Hall of Fame are accepted biennially. The 2024 window for nominations will open in February.
TEXAS GOLF HALL OF FAME NOMINATION PROCESS and Requirements
Every two years the Texas Golf Hall of Fame recognizes up to six membership categories. They are Amateur Player, Professional Player, Golf Professional/Teacher, Lifetime Achievement, Professional Service, and Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses.
To become a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame an individual must have been a resident in the State of Texas for at least 10 years of their golf-related career and/or achievements for which they are nominated. In addition, the person must be at least 40 years of age by the close of the nomination window, or deceased.
Following the nomination deadline, the list of nominees will be screened by the induction nominating committee to be sure they meet the eligibility requirements of the specific category for which they were nominated. There shall be no more than eight total nominees per category per induction year. Not all public nominations are guaranteed a place on the official ballot.
Accepted nominees will be contacted by the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and asked to complete the appropriate category application. Individuals or Golf Courses receiving a nomination will be provided an application requesting information and accomplishments for the category for which they are nominated. A nominee who does not provide this information may not be given consideration. Should someone be nominated who is deceased, the person nominating the potential inductee will be required to complete the application. Only one Letter of Recommendation may be submitted for each nominee. Please do not send books or videos to support the Texas Registry of Historic Courses – a link to a website or video may be added to the application.
The Texas Golf Hall of Fame will then send the applications for each category to the Texas and national media members as invited by the Board, the current living Texas Golf Hall of Fame members and the Board of Directors to vote.
If a nominee receives 80% or more of the top vote number, but is not elected, that nominee will automatically be included on the next induction cycle ballot.
Note: In extreme circumstances, in which two candidates or courses gain a high degree of support which is far and above the other candidates or courses, the board may elect a second member from such category. Such vote by the board would require two-thirds approval.
*All final decisions are subject to board approval and at the discretion of the board.
Amateur Player Category
Election to this category shall be limited to no more than one (1) person per year.
Nominees should:
Be an amateur at the time of nomination, or;
Have maintained amateur status longer than professional status
The candidate shall have competitive experience that may include junior, collegiate, regular amateur, and/or senior amateur events.
The following amateur playing experience should be considered (listed in order of importance):
National USGA Championships individual titles or high finishes
Member of National USGA Team Competitions
Junior College or NCAA Division I, II, Ill for team or individual titles or high finishes
Junior College or NCAA Division I, II, Ill All-American honors and/or additional national awards
Junior or State Amateur individual title(s)
Member of State Team Competitions
TGA and/or USGA awards and honors
Regional and State High School titles for team and individual titles or high finishes
City Junior or City Amateur Champion individual titles
PGA Junior Championship titles or high finishes
Candidates shall meet the criteria listed above to be considered a finalist. Finalists will be considered for their entire amateur body of work.
Professional Player Category
Election to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in this category will be limited to up to two (2) persons per year.
The candidate must have competed and been active as a member of the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, the LPGA Tour or the European Tour. The candidate must have won a minimum of four regular PGA TOUR or LPGA Tour events, or one major championship, plus two regular tour events as defined by the PGA TOUR or LPGA Tour.
Candidates who garner victories on the PGA TOUR Champions will be assigned point values at 50% of victories on the PGA TOUR. For example, a candidate with three regular PGA TOUR victories and two PGA TOUR Champions victories, or three regular PGA TOUR victories and one major championship as defined by the PGA TOUR Champions would indeed be eligible for consideration.
Candidates who garner victories on the European Tour will be assigned point values at 25% of victories on the PGA TOUR. For example, a candidate with three regular PGA TOUR victories and four European Tour victories would indeed be eligible for consideration.
The candidate’s playing experience may include any other honors such as Rookie Player of the year, the Vardon Trophy or team competition.
An amateur can be nominated for this category even if the amateur was previously a professional based on the amateur’s professional record.
Golf Professional / Teacher Category
Election to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in this category shall be limited to one (1) PGA/LPGA member per year.
The successful candidate shall have been a member in good standing of the PGA of America or the LPGA for a minimum of 10 years.
The following criteria will be considered, with priority given to:
Upholds the standards of PGA/LPGA and the tenets of membership in his/her respective associations at a high level
Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members as a PGA/LPGA Professional.
Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the Association and game of Golf, as well as helping to further educate and train their fellow PGA professionals.
Additional criteria to be considered:
Offices held at the PGA Section or National PGA level
Committees served in current PGA Section or at the National PGA level
Advancement of the golf profession through mentorship of fellow PGA/LPGA members
Awards received, including Section and National Awards, as well as those from additional industry organizations
PGA Section, National PGA won or high finishes
USGA tournaments won or high finishes
Involvement in charitable and/or community initiatives
Additional professional development certifications
The number of years played on the PGA or LPGA Tours, if applicable.
The candidate’s teaching, playing, PGA or LPGA involvement and the professional experience at a recognized golf or teaching facility.
The number of years at each facility employed
The number of years as a PGA or LPGA member
Additional criteria as it relates to Director of Instruction/Teacher:
Candidate has developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA/LPGA members with an emphasis on Teaching and Coaching.
Their entire PGA career which will include all of their teaching and coaching experience, skill sets, service, and commitment to the Game of Golf, their Association, and their Section;
The impact made on fellow teachers, as well as the contributions made through their efforts to educate their fellow PGA professionals;
Outstanding amateur, junior, and/or professional golfers the candidate has instructed;
The written or video-graphic contributions through national and local media such as books, magazines, newspapers, internet, teaching products, teaching aids, etc.;
Unusual, innovative and/or special teaching programs the golf professional has initiated or played a key role in implementing;
Candidates who do not meet the criteria listed above, especially as it relates to specific examples of section/national service, section/national awards, substantial teaching achievements, and/or significant mentorship shall not be considered as a finalist, nor shall a nominee be considered for the ballot based solely on longevity in his/her role in the golf industry.
Lifetime Achievement Category
Election to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in this category shall be limited to one person per induction year.
The successful candidate shall have, by virtue of name recognition and/or notable achievement(s) at the state, national, and/or international level, brought honor, distinction, and/or favorable attention to Texas golf. He/she must show significant innovation in his/her specific successes to have advanced golf through his/her efforts.
The candidate shall come from such fields as media and broadcasting, philanthropy, volunteerism, coaching, innovation and development of products, and/or any other medium through which his/her accomplishments are documented and well known in golf and society.
Candidates who do not meet the criteria listed above, especially as it relates to name recognition and/or notable achievement(s), shall not be considered as a finalist, nor shall a nominee be considered for the ballot based solely on longevity in his/her golf contributions.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CATEGORY
Election to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in this category shall be limited to one person per induction year.
The candidate shall have, via professional service, focused on the needs of the game in such ways that golf has been advanced at the community, state, national, and/or international level.
The candidate shall work, or have worked, in such areas as turf research and agronomy, golf course superintendence and preservation, facility and club management, state and/or national golf associations or sections, and/or any additional golf-specific business or association.
He/she must exemplify the spirit of the game at its highest level and have made a substantial contribution through his/her role in the industry. In addition, the candidate’s impact on the golf industry shall have enhanced the sport in a way that is distinguishable from his/her peers.
Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses
Election to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame shall be limited to a maximum of one course per induction year.
The purpose of the Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses is to foster interest in and respect for the role that golf courses play in the growth and history of the game and golf industry, as well as the science and art of golf course architecture.
Eligible golf courses may be 9- or 18-hole layouts. The courses must have been in continuous operation for a minimum of 50 years.
Nominated courses shall provide the following information and distinctions:
Year opened
Architect/Designer of the golf course
Details about the Architect/Designer, especially as it relates to state, national, and/or international prominence in the profession
Include additional individuals involved in any subsequent renovations
List of prominent staff (ex: superintendents, club managers, golf professionals) with significance in Texas golf history
Examples include service on respective organization boards, state/national awards and/or recognitions, membership in the Texas Golf Hall of Fame
Charitable and community initiatives / Relationship with community
Junior golf support and programming
A complete list of local, state, and national events it has held in the past. Events should include:
PGA Regular Tour, Champions Tour, PGA of America, USGA, LPGA Tour, Collegiate, Section, Texas State Amateur, Texas State Junior tournaments and other significant events that have achieved statewide and/or nationwide prominence
List of awards such as top 100 courses in America or the State of Texas\
List PGA or LPGA Tour players who use the course as their home facility while playing on their respective tours
List any accomplished amateur golfers that use the course as his/her home facility
Facilities should exhibit significant examples in the required information listed above to be considered as a finalist in this category.
*All final decisions are subject to board approval.