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Strong Work Ethic Surrounds 2005 Honorees
By Giles Kennedy, Contributing Columnist

Click to hear the entire ceremony (wma)

Not only does the Memorial Tournament represent the best golfers of today, but Jack Nicklaus made sure when he began the golf tournament in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio that the Captain’s Club would honor two history making golfers each year, one living and one deceased.

In 2005, the Captain’s Club chose a woman, LPGA legend Betsy Rawls, PGA pioneer Cary Middleoff, and sports veteran Jim McKay.

Betsy Rawls, may not be a household name to most, but anyone who has been in the game knows, she is a major troubleshooter. Not only was she a professional golfer, but later would become the leader of the LPGA.

In the year 2002, she retired from the post of Executive Director with the LPGA Tour. Prior to that position, she served as a tournament director, rules committee member, and several other officiating roles.

She was a groundbreaker becoming the first woman to serve on the Men’s US Open rules committee in 1970. Throughout the LPGA, her extensive knowledge of the rules and regulations earned her the moniker “The Circuit Judge”.

Betsy has always loved the game. The first time she set foot on the links was in her hometown of Austin, Texas. It was later in her amateur career at the Texas Women’s Open at the Colonial Golf Club, she was awe.

“My feeling of intimidation was overpowered by the fascination of this game,” she replied and smiled reminiscing.

When on the links, Betsy had eight victories between 1951 to 1969. Her most notable wins were the 1951 U.S. Women’s Open, the 1952 Women’s Western Open, and the 1969 LPGA Championship. The 1951 Women’s Open win came on the heels of her first year as a professional.

Betsy won the 1952 Women’s Western leading the field with eight trophies in the LPGA that year.

The twilight of Rawls’ career as a tour pro finished out with the 1969 LPGA Championship. This was her eighth LPGA crown.

Rawls truly loves the game.

“Who would think that 200 years ago, knocking a ball around with a stick would bring such a great passion,” she stated in closing her acceptance speech.

A gentlemen dentist from Tennessee became a legendary force on the links, a golfer who racked up 40 PGA Tour victories, was named the other Honoree

“Doc” Cary Middlecoff left the family business of dentistry in 1947 while serving his country. He was playing some amateur tournaments; prior to his first pro win at the Charlotte Open. It came down to a playoff round with George Schoux. With a final score of 62, he won the Charlotte in his third professional appearance. The rest was history.

In 1958, he gained the Vardon Trophy for having the lowest scoring average. He also was victorious at Augusta National. “Doc” gained the green jacket in 1955. He also was the U.S. Open champion twice in 1949 and 1956.

Middlecoff was known to be a humble, fun-loving golfer. He was also a champion off the green; befriending heavyweight boxing champ Joe Louis, which made a friend to all worldwide. His relaxed play style and off-course antics rival that of last year’s Men’s honoree; Lee Trevino. Also, his animated styles were very much like 1997’s honoree; Gary Player.

He passed away doing something he enjoyed most. While at home, in September 1st, 1998 at the age of 77; he was watching golf on his television. Reverend William Bouknight said at his funeral service, “His name was magic in golf.”


The Journalism Award is going to a man whom himself is a purveyor of a wide world of sports. This year, the award goes to no other than former ABC Sports veteran sportscaster Jim McKay, a golden voice for the game and sports in general.

He has gained notoriety as a long time host of ABC’s Wide World of Sports. He has been known for uttering those famous words, “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”

He has covered every thing from cliff diving in Mexico, high jumping in Russia, to soccer in England. He even was part of the “Miracle On Ice” with pre-game and post-game coverage in Lake Placid in 1980.

But, if you were ask Jim McKay what his favorite sport to cover; he would undoubtedly states golf.

By covering 21 British Opens and a longtime friend of Arnold Palmer, he was dubbed the “Pied Piper” of Golf. He always like the true sense of sportsmanship about the game.

Unfortunately due to travel limitations, McKay was unable to attend the presentation. However, an extremely heart-felt acceptance letter was sent and read at the ceremony. “I’ve always considered myself a journalist first and a sports commentator second,” he said in the letter. McKay will always be remembered as the reporter during the 1972 Olympics where members of the Israel team were massacred.