No 2014 Inductees for World Golf Hall of Fame


The World Golf Hall of Fame won't be introducing any new inductees next year. Instead, the facility in St. Augustine, Fla., has decided to review its selection process before adding new members.

One of the considerations is inducting players still in the prime of their careers. Recent inductees include Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson, who each won major championship titles after they were inducted. Another player who had success after his entry in the Hall was Vijay Singh, who won the FedEx Cup two years after his induction.

As it currently stands, male players are eligible for induction when they turn 40. The LPGA Tour has its own criteria, which is based on points and tournament victories. There's been some thought of not allowing male members until they turn 50.

The Hall of Fame said the "strategic review" has been underway since the 2013 induction ceremony during The Players Championship in May. Among the players inducted then were Colin Montgomerie and Fred Couples, who received only 50 percent of the vote.

"I don't think the process is broken," said Jack Peter, chief operating officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. "It's at the heart of what we do and it's just time to take a look at it. Stay tuned. We'll have more to talk about."

Peters added, "I think it's time. Hitting the reset button is an overused phrase but with 15 years of history, we've learned a lot and so the board said, 'Let's look at all this.' "

Peters also said the move to not hold an induction ceremony next year is "in fairness to the process."

In addition, there's an issue of timing. The election (PGA Tour, International ballots) and selection (Veteran's Category, Lifetime Achievement) process takes several months and involves several golf organizations.

The Hall of Fame said its review was expected to be completed in early 2014. Among the upcoming players eligible for induction in 2015 is Tiger Woods. If the age limit is set at 50, Woods wouldn't be eligible for induction until 2025.