Awards
Dennis Walters was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame!
Dennis Walters was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on June 10, 2018! The mission of the World Golf Hall of Fame is to celebrate golf and preserve the legacies of those who have made it great. Through revealing and inspirational storytelling and exhibitions, the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum honors its 155 members and the history of the game. The Hall of Fame's Induction Ceremony is the highlight of every other year when new members are welcomed into the Hall of Fame in an internationally televised event that celebrates the game's long and rich heritage and recognizes its greatest players and contributors. Dennis Walters is an elite golfer who was paralyzed from the waist down at the age of 24 following a golf cart accident. He has since dedicated his career to sharing life lessons and inspiring fans and disabled golfers of all ages through golf clinics and special performances at more than 3,000 worldwide appearances. Former spokesperson and national ambassador for The First Tee, his message is to always continue hoping and dreaming. He is one of only 11 honorary lifetime members of the PGA of America. Walters was also honored with the 1978 Ben Hogan Award and was a 2018 recipient of the USGA’s Bob Jones Award.
The Bob Jones Award
The USGA will bestow its highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, on Dennis Walters at a ceremony on June 13, 2018, one of the highlights of U.S. Open Championship week at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. Presented annually since 1955, the Bob Jones Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates the spirit, personal character and respect for the game exhibited by Jones, winner of nine USGA championships.
Honorary Lifetime membership in The PGA of America
Dennis is one of only 11 Honorary Lifetime members. This distinguished club includes three former Presidents of The United States, Eisenhower, Ford and George H.W. Bush.
2008 PGA Distinguished Service Award Winner
This is the highest honor awarded by the PGA of America. Previous winners include, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen.
Ben Hogan Award
The Ben Hogan Award is presented by the Golf Writers of America to the person in the world who has made the greatest comeback from injury or illness in the current year. It was inspired by the comeback of Ben Hogan after his accident. Previous winners include former President Eisenhower, Babe Zaharias, Lee Trevino, Patty Berg, Gene Littler and Fuzzy Zoeller.
Graffis Award
The Graffis Award is presented by The National Golf Foundation for contributions to golf and has been awarded to Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus among others.
Mary Bea Porter Award
In 2003 the Metropolitan Golf Writers of New York, chose Dennis to be the recipient of the Mary Bea Porter Award. This award is given to an individual in golf who through a heroic or humanitarian act saves or betters the lives of others. The Arete Courage Award was presented to Dennis in 1994. This award pays tribute to those rare individuals who, by their refusal to accept limitations demonstrate the ability of athletics to bring out the best in mankind.
Hall of Fame Awards
Dennis has been inducted into The South Florida PGA Hall of Fame and The University of North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame
Dennis Walters Courage Award
The International Network of Golf also honored Dennis by establishing the Dennis Walters Courage Award, which is presented annually. I
ARETE Courage in Sports Award
The ARETE Honors pay tribute to those rare individuals who, by their refusal to accept limitations, demonstrate the ability of athletics to bring out the best in mankind.
Golf Digest’s Junior Achievement Award
This award presented by Golf Digest recognizes Dennis's contribution to the promotion of junior golf in America.
