In acknowledgement of his exceptional character, sportsmanship and unwavering commitment to charity, Hale Irwin has been named the recipient of the 2019 Payne Stewart Award presented by Southern Company. Irwin will be honored on August 20,2019 at the PGA TOUR’s Award Ceremony in conjunction with the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The ceremony will be televised live on Golf Channel as part of a “Golf Channel” special from 7-8pm ET.
The Payne Stewart Award is presented annually by the PGA TOUR to a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart’s steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship. The past winners have distinguished themselves through their respect for the game, the TOUR’s tradition of charity and their ability to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Hale was born in Joplin, Missouri in 1945 and introduced to the game at the age of 4 by his father. He broke 70 for the first time at age 14. Irwin was a star athlete in football, baseball and golf at Boulder High School in Colorado. He then attended the University of Colorado, where he was a two time All-Big Eight defensive back, as well as an academic All-American in football. He won the individual NCAA Division I Championship in golf in his senior year in 1967 and turned professional the following year.
Irwin had 20 victories on the PGA Tour beginning with the 1971 Sea Pines Heritage Classic and finishing with 1994 MCI Heritage Classic, at the age of 49 making him one of the oldest winners in Tour history. He joined the Senior, now Champions Tour, in 1995. Through the 2014 season Hale had 45 victories and over $26 million. Golf Digest magazine ranked Hale the 19th greatest golfer of all time. He won the Charles Schwab Cup in 2002 and 2004.
eSouthernGOLF congratulations Hale Irwin on this most deserved recognition and award.
