Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion who has returned to competition following surgery in September 2023 to remove a benign brain lesion, received the PGA Tour Courage Award last Wednesday. The award is presented to a person who, through courage and perseverance, has overcome extraordinary adversity to make a meaningful contribution to the game.
Woodland, 40, was surprised with news of the award during an interview with Michael Strahan on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and formally received it during a presentation at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. He was emotional while reflecting on the honor during a press conference at PGA National.
“It means everything for me to receive it, but it really belongs to the people around me,” Woodland said. “It’s been hard for me to share my journey, but I’ve done it for the sole purpose of trying to help people because I am blessed with amazing family and my team around me, and even the golf world, from the tour, players, caddies, to [the media], the love and support I’ve had has been amazing.”
The Courage Award includes a $25,000 PGA Tour contribution to a charity of the award recipient’s choice. Woodland has designated Champion Charities, an organization dedicated to research and supporting patients with brain tumors, brain disease and brain trauma. Woodland and his wife, Gabby, will match the donation. READ MORE
Renowned golf course architect Charles Blair Macdonald is one of three individuals selected for 2025 induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. A native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Macdonald became one of American golf’s founding fathers, designing the first 18-hole golf course in the United States at Chicago Golf Club, helping establish the United States Golf Association and winning the inaugural U.S. Amateur in 1895.
Joining Macdonald as inductees are three-time Canadian Amateur champion Richard Scott and the late Jerry Anderson, the first Canadian to win on the European Tour. The trio will be formally inducted on RBC Hall of Fame Day during the CPKC Women’s Open in Mississaugua, Ontario, in August.
Two winners of Golf Canada’s Lorie Kane Community Spirit Awards, Susan Wright-Cassan and Carly Crooks, will also be honored. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
Jeff Babineau was honored posthumously with the Tim Rosaforte Distinguished Journalist Award during a ceremony last Tuesday at the Cognizant Classic. Babineau, who wrote for several publications including Global Golf Post during his career, died Dec. 9 at age 62. READ MORE
The PGA of America announced a partnership with Dentsu, an advertising and marketing firm, and producer John Cohen on an animated feature film franchise in which golf is a hero in a multisport story based in the fictional world of “SportsCity.” READ MORE
Marlin “Cricket” Musch, a former college golf coach and longtime golf industry executive, will receive the 2025 Eddie Merrins Award, which honors individuals who are highly regarded for their service, dedication and contributions to college and amateur golf. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity