Tourism PEI recently participated in one of the largest and longest-running golf functions held annually in the United States, the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association National Trade Show and Awards Dinner, providing one of the prestigious prizes during the silent auction and accumulating great interest amongst the membership.
The MGWA is celebrating its 50th year as one of the games most important organizations and takes great pride in honouring outstanding champions and contributors, promoting golf journalism and raising money for scholarship programs. The dinner attracts 1,000 people and is supported by all of the games major bodies: the LPGA, PGA TOUR, PGA of America and United States Golf Association.
The members of the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association provide golf enthusiasts with media coverage that focuses on the sport of golf and offers information about courses, tournaments and personalities, fostering the interest of this prosperous sport. "It was our intention to garner the interest of as many media as possible to further our exposure as a preeminent golf destination," noted Deputy Minister Frank Butler. "The calibre of personalities and talent was astounding, both in the golf world and the media."
The event serves to recognize golf's greatest players, contributors and organizations. The highest honour, the Gold Tee Award, has been presented to such luminaries as Bob Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Patty Berg, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Nancy Lopez who graced Brudenell Golf Course in the 2000 Lorie Kane Island Challenge.
This years event included the presentation of the Golden Anniversary Award to "The Big Three," consisting of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus for "the players who have had the greatest influence on golf during the past half-century." Delores Hope, wife of Bob Hope was presented the Winnie Palmer Award; Furman Bisher garnered the Linc Werden Journalism Award and the 2001 Gold Tee went to Chelsea Stewart on behalf of the late Payne Stewart.
"With the combined attendance of the trade show and the MGWA National Awards Dinner, Prince Edward Island was well noticed by golfers and writers with heavy influence," noted Mr. Butler. "This is the type of event that we cannot afford to miss and being recognized as a major prize for the silent auction means that we are on the right track with the golf market."