Ball, Flick among inductees at PGA Hall of Fame

PGA of America/Montana Pritchard

The audience stands to applaud the seven inductees into the PGA Professional Hall of Fame.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Seven celebrated members of the golf industry were inducted Wednesday night into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame.

Photo Gallery

PGA Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Photos from the PGA of America Hall of Fame Ceremony, held at the PGA Education Center at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on Nov. 2, 2011.

A crowd of 400 packed the PGA Museum of Golf and adjoining PGA Education Center to honor a class that included Samuel Henry “Errie” Ball, of Stuart, Fla., who played in the inaugural Masters and will turn 101 on Nov. 14.

Also inducted: PGA Honorary President Jim Remy; former PGA Chief Executive Officer Jim Awtrey; a trio of past PGA Teachers of the Year – Jim Flick, Jim Antkiewicz and Jack Barber – as well as “Mr. New Mexico Golf,” Guy Wimberly.

“It’s the greatest honor I’ve ever received,” said Ball, the last surviving member of the inaugural Masters field of 1934.

The current ambassador for TaylorMade Golf in Carlsbad, Calif., Flick, 81, is one of the most prolific active PGA teaching professionals whose 51 years as a PGA member includes teaching the game abroad in 23 nations and leading more than 1,000 multi-day golf academies.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute,” he said.

Information from the PGA of America was used in this report.