Hal Sutton was awarded the 2007 Payne Stewart Award during the Tour Championship at Eastlake Country Club in Atlanta.
According to the PGA Tour, the Payne Stewart Award has been awarded annually in order to "perpetuate Payne’s memory by honoring a player who reflects Stewart’s respects for the tradions of the game, his commitment to uphold the game’s heritage, of charitable support, and his professional and meticulous presentation of himself and the sport through his dress and conduct."
When I think of Payne Stewart I remember class and lots of it. I remember a guy who stuck with an inferior equipment contract because he made a commitment to said contract, even if it may have hurt is game or his career at times. Most importantly, I remember him sinking that putt. The winning putt on the 18th hole at the venerable Pinehurst No.2 course during the US Open. He was without his rain jacket sleeves and with his trademark plus fours. Payne made a once in a lifetime putt and then was graciously sincere while consoling runner up Phil Mickelson after having gave him the knockout punch for the win. I always enjoyed Payne Stewart, he was himself and a great role model for all. I can only imagine what it would have been like to be his friend or even enjoyed his golf presence for a bit longer in our world.
According to PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, "Hal has been a prominent member of the PGA Tour for many years and has always represented himself and the Tour in a most professional manner. Hal selflessly has utilized his success as a golf professional to the benefit of our organization and countless individuals through his leadership and charitable work. It is a sincere honor to present the Payne Stewart Award to Hal this year."
Past Payne Stewart Awardees include Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer (2000), Ben Crenshaw (2001), Nick Price (2002), Tom Watson (2003), Jay Haas (2004), Brad Faxon (2005), Gary Player (2006) and now Hall Sutton for 2007. Hal’s golf pedigree speaks for itself; the 1983 PGA Championship, two Players’ Championships, four Ryder Cup appearances, Ryder Cup Team Captain, 14 PGA Tour victories all together. Hal’s reach stretches far beyond golf however. Sutton is also responsible for several charities of his own; the Christus Schumpert Sutton Children’s Hospital in Hal’s hometown of Shreveport, Lousiana and he has teamed up with fellow touring pros David Toms and Kelly Gibson to raise aid for Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims.
Anyone who knows anything at all about golf, knows what Payne Stewart stood for. It is quite an honor to be forever associated with Payne by being named a recipient of this prestigious award. Congratulations Hal Sutton, you deserve it.
It was a tragic end to the career of a golfer who had just found his way back into the limelight winning the U.S. Open in remarkable fashion. Unfortunately fate cut short a life that was destined for much more.
The Payne Stewart Award is a wonderful way to recognise the life of a great golfer and to keep his memory alive. Just a look at the list of awardees shows what an elite list this is of incredible golfers and even better human beings. It is a recognition of their achievements both on and off the field. To add to his 14 tour titles he has done a lot of charitable work which includes raising money for those affected by Hurricane Katrina and also setting up a charitable hospital for children. There are many people who achieve greatness in their respective fields but even greater are those who harness their fame and power for the greater good. Such people definitely need to be applauded and Hal Sutton definitely deserves the Payne Stewart.
Comment by Andy Brown
— November 15, 2007 @ 2:36 am