Sorenstam Named GCSAA's 2014 Old Tom Morris Award Recipient


The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has named Annika Sorenstam as the recipient of its 2014 Old Tom Morris Award, the association's highest honor.

Sorenstam, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and one of the most decorated golfers of all time, will be presented the award during the 2014 GCSAA Education Conference in Orlando, February 5, at the Opening Session.

Previous award winners include Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Nancy Lopez, Nick Price and Peter Jacobsen, among others. The Old Tom Morris Award is presented annually to an individual who "through a continuing lifetime commitment to the game of golf has helped to mold the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris." Morris (1821-1908) was the greenkeeper and golf professional at the St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland. He was also a four-time winner of the British Open (1861, '62, '64 and '67); and ranked as one of the top links designers of the 19th century.

Sorenstam ended her competitive golf career in 2008 to start a family, but has remained close to the game through her various business and philanthropic endeavors. She started the ANNIKA Foundation as a way to teach children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offer aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. In 2008, she joined Arnold Palmer to serve as an Ambassador of the United States Golf Association with the objective of making the game more accessible.

"I am very, very proud of what I've achieved," Sorenstam said at the time of her retirement. "Golf has been great to me. I think I have achieved more than I ever thought I could. I have given it all and it's been fun. I'm leaving the game on my terms. I made this decision totally on my own. This is something that came from the heart.

"I am also very proud of women's golf and the state it's in today. I'm just very, very happy to have been part of it and had a chance to follow my dream. I love this game very much."

The above report is courtesy of the GCSAA. For more information, visit www.gcsaa.org.