By Brodie Waters, Senior Director of Museum Operations

The highlight of this past year has understandably been the Class of 2015 Induction Ceremony in St Andrews, where four supremely qualified individuals joined the list of golf immortals – Dame Laura Davies, David Graham, Mark O’Meara and the late A.W. Tillinghast – bringing the number of Hall of Fame members to a rounded 150. While the celebration at the “Home of Golf” was an evening to remember, the stories of the new Inductees will live on inside the walls of the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum in St. Augustine, Florida.

The Class of 2015 Inductee exhibit provides guests with a thrilling look into their careers, spanning from the time they took up the game, through their various Major Championships and multiple contributions to the sport. The bronzes of the four were added to the Wall of Fame, and each was bestowed with a locker in the famed Member Locker Room. While the Ceremony has since passed, the legacies of these great individuals will live on. This is the precise purpose of what the Hall strives to accomplish.

The World Golf Hall of Fame’s mission is to preserve and honor the history of the game of golf and the legacies of those who have made it great. This mission is accomplished in a variety of ways, but most visibly through the stories shared throughout the Museum. Utilizing the thousands of artifacts received over the years from Hall of Fame members, fans and guests are able to take an exciting, and often emotional, journey through the history of golf, told through the careers of and anecdotes of Hall of Famers.

Each year additions are made to the collection of artifacts through the generous donations of Hall of Fame members, collectors, fans and the Hall’s supporting organizations. These treasures are shared with golf fans from around the world, but also cared for in a manner that will ensure their long-term preservation. This year, some tremendous items were added to the collection, including pieces from Hall of Fame members including Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Nancy Lopez, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Hollis Stacy to name a few, as well as the late Babe Zaharias, Francis Ouimet, Walter Hagen and Sam Snead. Also of note is signed memorabilia from current LPGA youngster (and rockstar) Lexi Thompson.

As new artifacts pour in, the Hall of Fame works to continually enhance the Museum experience through the creation of new exhibitions. In addition to the Class of 2015 Inductee Exhibit, this past year saw the opening of the Gary Player: Grand Slam Success exhibition, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Black Knight capturing the career Grand Slam in 1965.

A new exhibition officially opened this month titled Major Moments: Celebrating Golf’s Greatest Championships, recanting the story of the four men’s Major Championships through colorful accounts and priceless Hall of Fame member artifacts.

While much of the Museum changes on a regular basis, one gallery that remains a consistent fan favorite year in and year out is the Member Locker Room. Home to thousands of personal belongings from Hall of Fame members, the locker room truly gives guests an opportunity to learn about the members beyond the accolades they received from their on-course accomplishments. Whether it is the almonds and bottled water found in Gary Player’s locker, Pat Bradley’s cowbell, the purple heart found in Lloyd Mangrum’s locker or Phil Mickelson’s model airplane, there are an untold amount of treasures to be discovered, all providing a glimpse into the lives of the game’s greatest players and contributors.

The year 2016 promises to bring more untold stories of golf’s legendary players. The World Golf Hall of Fame thanks its 150 Hall of Fame members as well as fans of the game from around the world for the ongoing support and dedication to the Hall and its overarching mission.

Major Moments Exhibit 2