Courtesy of PGA
Two-time PGA Champion & SCGA Hall of Famer Dave Stockton of Redlands, Calif., received the 2012 PGA Distinguished Service Award, the Association’s highest annual honor, last week in conjunction with the 94th PGA Championship. The ceremony was held at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center in Charleston, S.C.
Stockton (pictured on left with PGA President Allen Wronowski), a tireless leader in philanthropic efforts, and one of the most sought-after instructors in golf, was inducted into the SCGA Hall of Fame in 2010.
"Dave Stockton's imprint upon golf extends beyond the boundaries of a course where he excelled at the highest level," said Wronowski. "He has coached many of the world's finest men and women players to success, and has selflessly supported charitable efforts that benefit higher education, the underprivileged and our nation's heroes. A champion in so many ways, we are honored to bestow upon him the 2012 PGA Distinguished Service Award."
Born in San Bernardino, Calif., the son of a golf professional, Stockton devoted himself to golf after surviving a surfing accident at age 15 that left him with a broken back. He followed his father, Gail Stockton, in athletic success at the University of Southern California by earning All-American honors and winning the then-Pacific-8 Conference Championship. Stockton graduated in 1964 with a degree in general management, turned professional and married California beauty queen Cathy Hales.
"I'm very excited about this honor, which is totally unexpected. My first thought was, 'Why me?'" said Stockton. "I have been fortunate to have many good things happen to me in golf, with the biggest honor serving as Ryder Cup Captain. I believed in giving back through golf. I had a gift as a motivational speaker and used it to help others. I have tried helping people gain a better understanding about what golf can do to help them feel better about themselves."
Utilizing his putting prowess and short-game skill, Stockton captured the 1970 PGA Championship at Southern Hills CC in Tulsa, Okla., and the 1976 PGA Championship at Congressional CC in Bethesda, Md. He was a member of four victorious U.S. Ryder Cup Teams, competing in 1971 and '77, and serving as Captain in 1991, as the Americans held on to win by one point over Europe. Stockton also assisted U.S. Captain Paul Azinger in 2008 when the U.S. triumphed at Valhalla GC in Louisville, Ky.
Stockton won 10 events on the PGA Tour between 1967 and 1976. After turning 50 in 1991, he built one of the more impressive Champions Tour records, winning 14 times, including the 1992 and '94 Senior Players Championship, and the 1996 U.S. Senior Open. He was the 1993 and 1994 Champions Tour Player of the Year.
A popular attraction at corporate outings - playing in more than 80 per year over a 30-year span - Stockton also was virtually "on call" to support and aid charitable causes.
"I was neglecting my own game," said Stockton, "but at the same time I really felt that through the clinics and the golf I was reaching and teaching a lot of people."
Begun in 2008, and conducted this past March in Riverside, Calif., the Stater Brothers Charities Dave Stockton Heroes Challenge has raised nearly $3 million, making it the largest golf fundraiser in the region. Tournament funds benefit hunger relief, children's health and well-being, education for both youth and adults, elderly cares and services for our nation's veterans.
"I never served in the military, but my dad served in World War II," said Stockton. "I believe that you can thank them for what they have done for our country and giving back."
In 2009, Stockton changed his focus to teaching putting and the short game, creating Stockton Golf with his sons, teaching professionals Dave Jr. of Rancho Mirage, Calif., and Ron of Redlands, Calif., with his clients ranging from amateurs to many of the world’s premier players. The student list, past and present, include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Matt Kuchar, Morgan Pressel, Suzann Pettersen, former LPGA star Annika Sorenstam and current LPGA sensation Yani Tseng. In a span of one month in the summer of 2011, McIlroy went on to win the U.S. Open and Tseng captured the U.S. Women’s Open and Women’s British Open.
Dave and Cathy Stockton live in Redlands, Calif. Along with their two sons, they also have four grandchildren.
The PGA Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1988, honors outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf. Previous award winners include golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson, Presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford and the iconic Bob Hope, among others, who have made incredible contributions to the game.
