Colin Montgomerie to join World Golf Hall of Fame

Colin Montgomerie and former European Tour Executive Director Ken Schofield will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year

Colin Montgomerie and Ken Schofield

Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie and former European Tour Executive Director Ken Schofield are to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year.

The announcement was made by current Chief Executive George O'Grady and World Golf Hall of Fame Chief Operating Officer Jack Peter at today's Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year luncheon in London.  

Montgomerie was elected through the International Ballot and Schofield though the Lifetime Achievement category. They will be honoured beside Fred Couples, Willie Park Jnr and Ken Venturi at the 2013 induction ceremony in Florida next May.

"This is a very special day for golf and the European Tour. Colin and Ken are unique individuals and their contribution to the European Tour and The Ryder Cup makes them both very worthy candidates for the World Golf Hall of Fame," O'Grady told the European Tour.

"Colin's achievement in winning the Harry Vardon Trophy eight times took considerable talent, skill, imagination, endurance, physical strength and mental resilience.

"Ken's contribution to the European Tour is incalculable. His vision, passion and reservoir of knowledge established the foundations that we enjoy today."

Montgomerie won seven European Tour Order or Merit titles in a row (eight overall) from 1993 and appeared in eight successive Ryder Cups from 1991, earning a reputation as one of the event's greatest ever competitors.

The Scot captained the victorious European side at Celtic Manor in 2010 and has also won 31 times on the European Tour during his illustrious career.

"It's a wonderful surprise to hear that I will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. I know I am fortunate to have enjoyed such a successful career playing the game I love and it makes me very proud that my achievements have been recognised in this way," said Montgomerie.

Schofield became the First Secretary and Executive Director of the tour in 1975 and served until 2004. When he retired, the European Tour's schedule comprised 45 events, 28 more than when he took up the post. He also helped pioneer expansion into other continents, the catalyst for today's global schedule.

"I am both delighted and humbled that I should be given a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame, in the company of so many great names who have together contributed to making the game of golf so special in our lives."

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x