Allenby Honored with GWAA's Charlie Bartlett Award


Australian Robert Allenby has been named the 2014 recipient of the Golf Writers Association of America's Charlie Bartlett Award.

The honor named after the GWAA's first secretary is given to a playing professional for recognition of unselfish contributions to the betterment of society. The award has been presented since 1971; the inaugural winner was Billy Casper.

Allenby will receive the award April 9 in Augusta, Ga., during the GWAA's 42nd Annual Awards dinner.

Recognition of Allenby's contributions stem from the pain he has carried for nearly 30 years since he lost a childhood friend to leukemia. "He was just 13, same as me," said Allenby. "It was just an awful feeling."

Seven years later, Allenby became a professional and was introduced to an initiative to raise money to help children with cancer. "That first year we had 150 people in a tent and we raised 50 or 60 thousand dollars."

Now 42 and a member of the PGA Tour since 1999, Allenby has maintained his charitable endeavors in Australia. The Robert Allenby Golf Day and Gala Dinner is 23 years old and draws close to 1,000 guests and supporters. Over the years the event has raised over $26 million.

Aberdeen Asset Management sponsors the award. CEO Martin Gilbert said of Allenby's nomination: "As a long-standing global golf sponsor, our association with the Charlie Bartlett Award is something we're particularly proud of. Robert Allenby is a truly worthy winner and we're honored to present him with this well-earned award."

"I'm very humbled, very honored," said Allenby. "But nothing has changed with the cause. We're still trying to help children with cancer."

Allenby's efforts have expanded to his adopted home of Jupiter, Fla. For the last few years he has organized and hosted the three-day BlueWater Golf Invitational that raises money for Palm Beach County children with special needs and cancer. The event includes fishing, golf and a gala dinner.

In addition to Allenby, the GWAA will honor at the dinner Players of Year Adam Scott (PGA Tour), Kenny Perry (Champions Tour) and Inbee Park (LPGA Tour); William D. Richardson Award winner Rhonda Glenn; Ben Hogan Award winner Ken Duke; with the Jim Murray Award going to Graeme McDowell.

Previous recipients of the Charlie Bartlett Award include Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, K.J. Choi, Lorena Ochoa, Ernie Els, Tom Watson and Payne Stewart.