Our Mission
The World Golf Hall of Fame honors and celebrates the greatest figures in the sport's history, instilling a deep appreciation of golf's past and present. Its mission is to entertain, educate and inspire generations of golf fans around the world.
The Hall of Fame collects and showcases artifacts, images and stories at its home in Pinehurst N.C., as well as through the Hall's website and social media channels. It is a non-profit entity allied with 25 international golf stakeholders, including its Board of Directors: The European Tour, LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA Tour, The R&A and USGA.
Our History
The World Golf Hall of Fame was established in Pinehurst, N.C., in 1974. President Gerald Ford was among the luminaries on hand to welcome the Hall’s inaugural class of 13, which included Bob Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Babe Zaharias.
In 1998, the Hall of Fame moved to St. Augustine, Fla. After a quarter-century at the World Golf Village, the Hall of Fame returned to Pinehurst in 2024 and opened its doors to a new building a few hundred yards from the Resort’s famed No. 2 Course.
The reimagined visitor experience includes nearly 3,000 artifacts housed within lockers celebrating the 170 Hall of Fame Members. It also features updated exhibits, videos, touch screen interactives and trophies from all the men’s and women’s major championships.
The Hall of Fame works closely with the world’s leading golf organizations who recognize the importance of honoring and celebrating the history of golf and the legacies of those who have made it great.
Board of Directors
The strategic direction and policies of the World Golf Hall of Fame are determined by its Board of Directors:
- Will Jones, Executive Director of Augusta National Golf Club
- Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour
- Craig Kessler, Commissioner of the LPGA
- Terry Clark, CEO of the PGA of America
- Brian Rolapp, CEO of the PGA Tour
- Mark Darbon, CEO of The R&A
- Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA
Staff
- Mike Trostel, Director
- Maggie Lagle, Senior Manager
- Jessica Bollinger, Assistant Manager
- Hilary Cronheim, Senior Director