President
Clinton to be honored for his lifetime love of golf and his commitment to
health and wellness
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (June 18, 2014) – The PGA of America
announced today that it is awarding President Bill Clinton, Founder of the
Clinton Foundation and 42nd president of the United States, its 2014 PGA
Distinguished Service Award recipient for his lifetime love of golf and his
commitment to health and wellness.
Begun in 1988, the PGA Distinguished Service Award honors
outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including
integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf. President Clinton
will receive the Association’s highest annual honor in conjunction with the
96th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Previous
honorees include Bob Hope, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Patty Berg, Jack
Nicklaus, and former presidents Gerald Ford (1991) and George H.W. Bush (1997).
“President Clinton’s life in public service is a study in making
a difference in people’s lives. His own journey to achieve wellness has
resulted in a passion that involves the game of golf,” said PGA of America
President Ted Bishop. “President Clinton shares the mission of the PGA of
America to encourage our country’s young people to develop a healthier
lifestyle through golf. For his work and the example he sets to motivate young
people, we are honored to present this year’s PGA Distinguished Service Award
to President Clinton.”
After leaving the White House, President Clinton established the
Clinton Foundation with the mission to improve global health, strengthen
economies, promote health and wellness, and protect the environment. In
addition to his Foundation work, President Clinton has served as the top United
Nations envoy for the Indian Ocean tsunami recovery effort and as the UN
Special Envoy to Haiti.
Since 2012, the Clinton Foundation has partnered with Humana,
the PGA TOUR and the Desert Classic Charities to present the Humana Challenge.
The Humana Challenge has showcased the long-term health benefits of simple
lifestyle and behavioral changes.
PGA
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
1988 Herb
Graffis
1989 Bob
Hope
1990 No
recipient
1991 Hon. Gerald R.
Ford
1992 Gene
Sarazen
1993 Byron
Nelson
1994 Arnold
Palmer
1995 Patty
Berg
1996 Frank
Chirkinian
1997 Hon. George H.W.
Bush
1998 Paul Runyan
1999 Bill Dickey
2000 Jack Nicklaus
2001 Mark McCormack
2002 Tim Finchem
2003 Vince Gill
2004 Pete Dye
2005 Wally Uihlein
2006 Fred Ridley
2007 Jack Burke Jr.
2008 Dennis Walters
2009 William Powell
2010 Billy Casper
2011 Larry Nelson
2012 Dave Stockton
2013 Lee Trevino
2014 Hon. Bill Clinton