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The pioneer of modern golf to be honored at GOLF EUROPE 2008 John
Jacobs is more than just a golfer, he is a living legend.
Born in 1925 in Yorkshire, England, the professional player
has pledged his life to golf and is considered the leading architect of
golf as
we know it today. From 1972 and 1975, as the first Director General of
the PGA European
Tour, he was the driving force behind the uniting of nations on the
European continent with Great Britain. Thanks to his efforts, the
European Tour sports a modern concept, not
only within its structure but also regarding sponsorship activities.
The GOLF
EUROPE Legend Award was brought to life in 2003 in cooperation with the
PGA of
Europe and the European Golf Industry Association. To date, honorees
include Peter Alliss (GB – 2003), Sir Michael Bonallack (GB
– 2004), Fanny
Sunesson (SWE – 2005), Ken
Schofield (GB – 2006), and Jan
Brügelmann (D – 2007), this year adding to the list John
Jacobs,
a personality who is one of the pioneers of the sport.
His
awe-inspiring career boasts many different stations. In 1955 he was an
active Ryder
Cup player and won both his matches on American soil, an accomplishment
which
has not been duplicated to this date. Later, John Jacobs successfully
established driving ranges to help encourage the growth of the game
throughout England. As coach of the Great Britain
and Ireland Walker Cup Team he collected victories and successes. In
1979 and 1981 he captained the European Ryder Cup Team and
for the first time brought pros from the European continent into the
renowned
team. In his career as businessman, author and commentator, John Jacobs
further impressively proves his extensive know-how.
John Jacobs is the recipient of many honors. They
include the Order of the British Empire for 50 years of outstanding service to golf in 1997, presented by Queen Elizabeth II.
He was also inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the year 2000, in
appreciation of his unrelenting life’s work and his contribution to the sport
of golf.
The award ceremony will be held during GOLF EUROPE 2008, on Sunday, October 5th, 2008. |
