SAN ANTONIO, Texas – On Monday, August 8th, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame celebrated the 2020 Class of Inductees. The inductees were nominated and voted upon by living Hall members, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame Board of Directors, and designated Texas golf media members. The event was originally slated for the fall of 2020 but was moved to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“At the first Induction event outside of San Antonio since the Texas Golf Hall of Fame was reconstituted, all expectations were exceeded in Ft. Worth. Our six inductees were magnificent with their emotional acceptance speeches and the full-house at the fabulous River Crest Country Club loved every minute of it.” stated Board Chairman, Reid Myers.
The completely sold-out event served as a celebration of the inductee’s storied careers, how they began their careers in golf, and the incredible experiences they had along the way. Lots of laughs and plenty of tears were shed as each inductee reflected on the family, friends, and mentors who were instrumental in their success. Supporters of the event consisted of prominent golf and business leaders, area club members, and golf enthusiasts from around the state of Texas.
There were some very memorable quotes and moments from the event that was presided over by Master of Ceremonies David Marr, III, a former Golf Channel, and Champions Tour on-screen announcer. From Professional Player Inductee Angela Stanford, “I’m just a small-town kid from Saginaw. How in the world did I end up here?”. Lifetime Achievement inductee, Verne Lundquist, “This is a great honor to be in the same Hall of Fame with Mr. Ben Hogan, I’m so grateful”.
1998 U.S. Amateur winner, Hank Kuehne, inducted into the Amateur Player Category, was accompanied by his family which includes two Texas Golf HoF members; sister Kelli Kuehne (2017), and brother Trip Kuehne (2015).
PGA Golf Professionals, Dow Finsterwald, Jr., of Colonial Country Club, and Mike Wright of Shady Oaks Country Club each reflected on the special people that gave each of them the opportunity to work as head golf professionals for well over 30 years each. Golf legend Arnold Palmer was key in the initial hiring of Dow Finsterwald, Jr., and the great Ben Hogan played a very significant role in the early career of Mike Wright.
Along with the individuals inducted, the Hall inducted San Antonio’s Oak Hills Country Club into the Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses. Member-Owned Oaks Hills, designed by prolific golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast in 1922, has a storied history and has hosted many PGA and Champions Tour Events.
The 2020 Texas Hall of Fame Class of Inductees were:
• Professional Player: Angela Stanford
• Amateur Player: Hank Kuehne
• Lifetime Achievement: Verne Lundquist
• Golf Professional / Teacher: Mike Wright
• Golf Professional / Teacher: Dow Finsterwald, Jr.
• Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses: Oak Hills Country Club
The Texas Golf HoF will soon be announcing the hiring of a new full-time Executive Director, upcoming events, and the next Class of Inductees.
To directly support the Hall please visit www.texasgolfhof.org/donate.
