Paul Simson 2010
Around the golfing community, Raleigh’s Paul Simson is recognized by two prominent trademarks — his straw fedora and championship trophies. With a sharp short game and competitive fire, the 58-year old insurance executive has won about 200 titles. They include 20 Carolinas Golf Association crowns, two North-South amateurs, three North-South Senior Amateurs and two British Senior Amateurs. No wonder folks call “Champ.” His success in the North-South placed him on the Wall of Fame in Pinehurst, along with famous names like Jack Nicklaus, Curtis Strange and Davis Love III. Simson, an All-America one season at New Mexico, competed on the professional mini tour for a short stint after college. He regained amateur status in 1978, but still plays like a pro. [more...]
Roger Watson 2009
Roger Watson’s golf career highlights were victories in the 1974 and 1975 PGA Club Professional Championships. The 1974 tournament at Pinehurst # 2 ended with a playoff win over Sam Snead and was voted as the Carolinas Golf Sportswriters’ best story of the year. He won the 1969 N.C. Open, 1975 and 1976 Carolinas PGA Championships, and was voted the Carolinas Section Player of the Year both years. In 1975 and 1976, Roger was a member of the U.S. PGA Cup Team (club pro version of the Ryder Cup). In 1997, he was inducted into the Carolinas PGA Hall of Fame and the N.C. Sportswriters Hall of Fame. As a businessman, he has founded five successful golf partnerships and developed some of the finest courses in N.C. His current company, Carolinas Golf Group, has 7 facilities under its management umbrella. [more...]
* Richard Tufts 1986
Most noted member of Pinehurst’s founding family and only person to be president of both the USGA and the Royal & Ancient. For years was the preeminent world authority on the rules of golf. Helped found Carolina Golf Association. [more...]
Harvie Ward Jr. 1965
Nation’s premier amateur golfer in 1950s. Won ’49 NCAA championship while at UNC-Chapel Hill, won British Amateur in 1952 and back-to-back U.S. Amateur titles 1955-56. Also low amateur in Masters and U.S. Open. [more...]
* Skip Alexander 1987
Grew up in golfing family in Durham. Outstanding performer on Duke golf team. Three-time winner of Southern Conference championship. Three wins on an accident-shortened PGA Tour, and member of two U.S. Ryder Cup teams. Received prestigious Ben Hogan Award. [more...]
Arnold Palmer 1988
One of golf’s all-time greats, starting career at Wake Forest and later developing business interests in North Carolina. Won Masters four times, British Open twice, U.S. Open once. Winner of 60 PGA Tour events and 10 on Senior PGA Tour. [more...]
* Dugan Aycock 1969
President of Carolinas Professional Golf Association for 15 years and National PGA home pro of-the-year in 1957. Served as National PGA vice president. Lifetime pro at the Lexington Country Club. [more...]
* Johnny Palmer 1978
Nine-time winner on PGA Tour in 1940s, including World Championship at Tam O’Shanter in Chicago in 1949. Runner-up to Sam Snead in ’49 PGA Championship and earned spot on U.S. Ryder Cup team. [more...]
Peggy Kirk Bell 1976
Amateur and pro golf star. Member 1950 Curtis Cup team. Won prestigious Titleholders Tournament in 1949. Named LPGA Teacher-of-the-year in 1961. Recipient of Bobby Jones Award in 1990. Founded, with late husband Bullet, famed Pine Needles Resort. [more...]
Billy Joe Patton 1967
One of state’s most storied amateur golfers. Five times member Walker Cup, twice low amateur in Masters and U.S. Open. Third in 1954 Masters, one shot behind Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. Won North & South Amateur three times. [more...]
* Marge Burns 1984
A five-time winner of the Teague Award as the outstanding amateur athlete in the Carolinas. Ten times State golf champion, six times Carolinas champion. LPGA Teacher-of-the-Year in 1976. Member Carolina’s Golf HOF. [more...]
* Donald Ross 1996
Scottish native who lived in Pinehurst. Golf course architect who designed the world-famous Pinehurst No. 2 course and is credited with building over 600 courses across United States. Widely acclaimed as the father of modern golf course architecture. [more...]
* Joe Cheves 2004
PGA Lifetime Member Joe Cheves comes to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame bearing credentials of worldly proportions. Since turning pro in 1938, he has enjoyed a remarkable career as a PGA golf professional. [more...]
Charlie Sifford 1992
First successful African-American on golf’s PGA Tour, broke color line in the South in 1961 Greater Greensboro Open. Won two PGA Tour events, the 1975 Seniors Championship and two Senior PGA Tour tournaments in the 1980s. [more...]
* Al Dowtin 1998
Basketball All-America at Wake Forest (1926-27). Baseball star who spent two seasons in minor leagues while earning a law degree. Won eight city golf championships (Asheville and Raleigh) and qualified for 1935 U.S. Open and 1941 U.S. Amateur. [more...]
Raymond Floyd 1981
Fayetteville native had 22 PGA Tour victories, including 1976 Master, 1969 and 1982 PGA Championships, and 1986 U.S. Open. Won 14 Senior Tour events since 1992, including the 2000 Ford Seniors Players title. [more...]
* Clayton Heafner 1974
First North Carolinian to become a prominent member of the professional golf tour. Won five PGA Tour titles, including 1948 Colonial National Invitational. Member of U.S. Ryder Cup teams of 1947, 1949 & 1951. [more...]
Page Marsh 2001
Continued family tradition of outstanding golfers as a 4-time MVP on women’s golf team at UNC-Chapel Hill. Won the 1989 North-South Amateur. Qualified for three U.S. Opens as amateur. Women’s International Four-Ball champ in 1994. [more...]
* Dale Morey 1980
Won 270 amateur golf tournaments and is one of only six golfers to capture two USGA Seniors titles. Named “Outstanding Senior of the 70s” by Golf Digest. All-American in golf and basketball in college. [more...]
* Estelle Lawson Page 1963
Generally regarded as North Carolina’s greatest woman golfer. Won U.S. Amateur championship in 1937, was Carolinas Amateur champion seven times and also won North Carolina Amateur title three times. [more...]
