Tommy Bolt Joins 2002 World Golf Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Through Veterans Category

Contact Tiare Bevan Peck
World Golf Hall of Fame
904-940-4033
tpeck@wgvhq.com

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (April 24, 2002) - Tommy Bolt has been selected for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame through the Veterans Category, it was announced today by the Board of Directors of the World Golf Foundation.

"I am absolutely delighted," Bolt said of his selection, "I wasn't sure I would live to see the day, but I am thrilled to be a part of the World Golf Hall of Fame."

Bolt, the 1958 U.S. Open champion at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will be inducted Friday evening, November 15, at World Golf Village near St. Augustine, FL. He will join fellow inductees Ben Crenshaw, elected through the PGA TOUR ballot; Tony Jacklin of England, elected through the 2002 International Ballot; Germany's Bernhard Langer, who was elected on the 2001 International Ballot but opted to be inducted this year; Marlene Hagge (LPGA Veteran's Category) and others elected or selected in the coming months.

"Tommy is most deserving of this honor," said Tim Finchem, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Golf Foundation. "He always has been recognized as one of the truly great personalities in the game, but not to be overlooked is the fact that he was considered by his peers to be one of the best ball-strikers of his era. Tommy had a very successful career on the PGA TOUR, including his U.S. Open victory at Southern Hills in 1958. We look forward to welcoming him into the World Golf Hall of Fame in November."

Bolt, 86, was born in Oklahoma and lived most of his life in Shreveport, Louisiana. He recorded 15 victories on the PGA TOUR, twice was selected to the Ryder Cup team, and in 1969 won the Seniors' PGA Championship. Bolt also is known for his legendary temper and nickname of "Terrible Tommy."

"Tommy is a fabulous addition to the membership of the World Golf Hall of Fame," said Jack Peter, Chief Operating Officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. "His enthusiasm, his love for the game, and his accomplishments deserve to be recognized."

The Veterans Category was created in 2000 by the Board of Directors for the World Golf Foundation to honor professional players whose accomplishments occurred primarily before 1962 and will not qualify for induction through any other means. Nominations are made annually by the Advisory Board, made up of representatives from the 26 major golf organizations from around the world in support of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Others selected previously in this category include Jack Burke, Jr. and Allan Robertson.

The World Golf Hall of Fame is the centerpiece of World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, and is a collaboration of 26 national and international golf organizations, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Augusta National Golf Club and the PGA of America. The dramatic facility houses interactive displays, historic artifacts, a special exhibit gallery, an IMAX Theater and the Hall of Fame itself, which honors the game's greatest players and contributors.

As sole founding partner of World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays the lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.