October 16, 2006
Actor/Comedian George Lopez to Host 2006 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Oct. 30
St. Augustine, Fla. (October 16, 2006) - George Lopez, co-creator, writer, producer and star of ABC network and Warner Bros. Television-produced sitcom, "George Lopez," will host the 2006 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The annual Induction Ceremony will take place at the Hall of Fame at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. on Monday, Oct. 30, 2006 at 6 p.m. ET, and a 60-minute television show will be post-produced to air on The Golf Channel on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23 from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.
Lopez, who was recently announced as the new host of the PGA TOUR's Bob Hope Classic beginning in 2007, said, "As I prepare to walk in the footsteps of a legend like Hall of Fame member Bob Hope at his namesake tournament, the opportunity to host the 2006 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will provide me an up-close look at true legends of another kind. I look forward to meeting the returning Hall of Fame members and new inductees and standing before an audience that shares my passion for the game and the individuals who have helped make it what it is today."
The Class of 2006 includes Larry Nelson, Marilynn Smith, Vijay Singh and the late Mark McCormack and Henry Picard. (Brief bios for each Inductee can be found below.) World Golf Hall of Fame members scheduled to return for the ceremony-some of whom will participate in the show-are Judy Bell, Deane Beman, JoAnne Carner, Donna Caponi, Beth Daniel, Sandra Haynie, Tony Jacklin, Betty Jameson, Carol Mann, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Judy Rankin, Patty Sheehan, Marlene Stewart Streit, Louise Suggs and Kathy Whitworth.
"The sport of golf is fortunate to transcend industries and enjoy a healthy relationship with many individuals from the world of entertainment-George Lopez being one of them," said Jack Peter, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame. "We are grateful for his enthusiasm for the game and couldn't be more pleased that he has taken time out of his busy schedule to be here for the ceremony."
Lopez is one of the premiere comedic talents in entertainment. In addition to his hit TV show "George Lopez," which is in its sixth season, he will next be seen on the big screen in the comedy "Balls of Fury," which will be in theaters this January. He just released his newest stand up CD "El Mas Chingon" on Oglio Records and maintains an active schedule as a stand-up comedian, continuing to sell out arenas and theaters across the country.
George is a two-time host of the Latin Grammy Awards and a co-host of the Emmy Awards. He was also a commentator for HBO's hit sports show "Inside the NFL" for the 2003-2004 football season. In August 2005, Time Magazine recognized George as one of "The 25 Most Influential Hispanics In America" and in March 2006 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is free and open to the public. For more information on the 2006 ceremony or the World Golf Hall of Fame, call 904-940-4123 or visit www.wgv.com.
About the World Golf Hall of Fame
World Golf Hall of Fame, located in St. Augustine, Fla., is the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf's greatest players and contributors and an inspiration to golfers and fans throughout the world. A collaboration of 26 national and international golf organizations support the Hall of Fame, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, PGA of America and The R&A. The museum houses interactive exhibits and historic and personal artifacts and that tell the stories of its members and the game of golf. Adjacent is the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX(r) Theater. For more information, visit www.wgv.com.
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As sole founding partner of World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee and World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays the lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.
NOTE TO MEDIA:
Registration to cover the 2006 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is now available at http://www.firstcoastarrangementsevents.com/Media/logon.jsp. The registration will also give you the opportunity to cover GOLF 20/20: Vision for the Future, the annual industry conference that takes place on the same day.
To begin registration, username is 2006 and password is Induction.
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2006 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Bios
Selected in the Lifetime Achievement category, Mark McCormack's legendary handshake with Palmer in 1960 was the foundation for the sports marketing industry and evolved for McCormack into what would become IMG, the world's premier sports, entertainment and media company. In 1966, he formed IMG's media division, TWI, which became the world's largest non-network producer of televised sports. He also began an events division to stage international tournaments and is credited with developing the Official World Golf Rankings. He passed away on May 16, 2003.
Elected on the PGA TOUR ballot, Larry Nelson has three major championships to his credit: the 1981 and 1987 PGA Championships and the 1983 U.S. Open.
His record includes seven additional PGA TOUR victories and 19 Champions Tour victories to date. Nelson has participated on three U.S. Ryder Cup teams with a 9-3-1 record. He began playing golf at age 21, following his time in the military in Vietnam.
Selected in the Veteran's category, Henry Picard captured more than two dozen PGA TOUR victories, including the 1938 Masters Tournament and the1939 PGA Championship. He also participated on two U.S. Ryder Cup teams.
Among Picard's contemporaries was Hogan, at the time an aspiring young pro, whom Picard encouraged and supported unconditionally. Hogan later dedicated his first instructional book, "Ben Hogan's Power Golf," to Picard. He was also instrumental in encouraging Snead to join the professional tour. Picard passed away on April 30, 1997.
Elected on the PGA TOUR ballot in 2005, Vijay Singh has amassed 29 PGA TOUR victories to date, including the 1998 and 2004 PGA Championships and the 2000 Masters Tournament. Singh had one of golf's greatest seasons in 2004, winning nine times and becoming the first person to win more than $10 million in a single season en route to becoming the No. 1-ranked player in the world and PGA TOUR Player of the Year. Singh has competed in five Presidents Cup matches and has 22 career international victories to his credit.
Also selected in the Lifetime Achievement category, Marilynn Smith was one of the original 13 founders of the LPGA in 1950. Like many of the founders, Smith served as the LPGA President (1958-60), and during her term was instrumental in co-founding the teaching division, now known as the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals. Her career on the course included 21 official victories, including the 1963 and 1964 Titleholders Championships, major tournaments at the time.
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