World Golf Hall of Fame releases ballots for 2009

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ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The World Golf Hall of Fame released the 2009 PGA TOUR and International Ballots to its respective voting bodies comprised of Hall of Fame members, golf journalists, historians and dignitaries from around the globe. The ballots are due Monday, March 2 and an announcement for the 2009 Class of Inductees will be made later this spring.

New candidates this year are Jay Haas and Kenny Perry on the PGA TOUR Ballot and Irishman Darren Clarke on the International Ballot.

Of the 15 candidates on the PGA TOUR ballot, the top returning finishers from 2008 include Lanny Wadkins (52%), Doug Ford (35%) and Mark O'Meara (24%). The International ballot, which has 12 candidates, will again include last year's vote leaders Jose Maria Olazabal (49%), Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki (46 %) and Sandy Lyle (35%). The complete list of 2009 PGA TOUR and International candidates is below, as are the 2008 ballot results.

"There are many qualified individuals in consideration each year, including those candidates on the ballots as well as those who will be considered through the Lifetime Achievement and Veterans categories," said Jack Peter, the Hall's Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We look forward to learning the results of this year's process as we move toward another Induction Ceremony this Fall."

Members of the International Voting Body are eligible to nominate candidates for the Lifetime Achievement Category. The World Golf Hall of Fame Advisory Board can nominate for both the Lifetime Achievement and Veterans categories. Candidates for both Lifetime Achievement and the Veterans will be reviewed for selection by the World Golf Foundation's Board of Directors this Spring.

The 2009 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place November 2, 2009 at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.

The World Golf Hall of Fame, located at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., honors and celebrates golf's greatest players and contributors. A World Golf Foundation initiative, the Hall of Fame represents collaboration among 26 national and international golf organizations, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, Augusta National, PGA of America, The European Tour and The R&A. The museum houses interactive exhibits and historic and personal artifacts that tell the stories of its members and the game of golf. For more information, visit http://www.wgv.com/.