Kenny Perry has 11 PGA TOUR wins since the age of 40.
Sep. 25, 2009
PGA TOUR veteran Kenny Perry, a champion in every sense of the word, both on the golf course and in the community, has been named the 2009 winner of the Payne Stewart Award as announced Tuesday in a press conference with PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.
A champion in the truest sense of the word, both inside and outside the ropes, Payne Stewart possessed all of the positive characteristics that distinguish the game of golf: Honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. An 11-time PGA TOUR winner and three-time major champion, as well as a devoted husband and father, Payne Stewart tragically passed away 10 years ago this year.
The game of golf was the medium Stewart used to affect millions of lives throughout the United States and around the world. In 18 years on the PGA TOUR, Stewart won 11 times, including three major championships, and was a member of five U.S. Ryder Cup teams. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001, Stewart carried himself with a recognizable style and grace on the golf course.
For the past 10 years, Southern Company and the PGA TOUR have honored the memory of Payne Stewart with the Payne Stewart Award, presented annually to a player sharing Stewart's respect for the traditions of the game and his commitment to uphold the game's heritage of charitable support, The recipients also share his professional and meticulous presentation of himself and the sport through his dress and conduct.
In addition to a sculpture presented to the recipient, the Payne Stewart Award is accompanied by an annual Grant presented by Southern Company. The $300,000 grant supports several initiatives in Stewart's name.
Southern Company is proud to carry on Payne Stewart's legacy by sponsoring this award. They too aspire to be not only leaders in their industry, but leaders in their communities as well.
Here is a look back at the history of the Payne Stewart Award:
| 2009 Payne Stewart Award |
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| Payne Stewart Award winners |
| 2009: Kenny Perry |
Perry began playing golf at age 7, and giving back is important to him. Winner of the '02 Charles Bartlett Award, given to a pro golfer for unselfish contributions to the betterment of society, Perry donates five percent of his winnings to a scholarship at Lipscomb University. Click for story | Watch the video  |
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| 2008: Davis Love III |
| Beyond his accomplishments on the course is Love's commitment to use his profile to benefit others. To that end, The Davis Love Foundation was established in 2005 to support both national- and community- based programs that focus on children and their families. Click for story | Watch the video |
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| 2007: Hal Sutton |
| Sutton's charitable efforts include creation of the Christus Schumpert Sutton Children's Hospital in his hometown of Shreveport, La., and teaming with Louisianans Kelly Gibson and David Toms to raise more than $2 million in aid to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita victims. Click for story | Watch the video |
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| 2006: Gary Player |
| While his accomplishments on the course are more than impressive, Player's accomplishments off the course are equally notable. Perhaps one of the most significant is the Gary Player Foundation which helped to build the Blair Atholl Schools in Johannesburg, South Africa and has educational facilities for more than 500 students from kindergarten through the seventh grade and also supports other educational projects throughout the world. Click for story | Watch the video |
| 2005: Brad Faxon |
| Brad Faxon is the epitome of such a relationship-builder, one who works well with and for other people. When taking a look at his impact, it is the relationships that Faxon has formed in a highly individualistic sport that really make him stand out.Click for story | Watch the video |
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| 2004: Jay Haas |
| Haas has been a longtime supporter of charities in the Greenville, S.C., area where he resides, raising more than $1 million. After seeing family members battle the effects of diseases such as ALS and Cystic Fibrosis, Haas has enthusiastically supported the ALS Association and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in an effort to find a cure for these devastating diseases. Click for story | Watch the video |
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| 2003: Tom Watson |
| Since the late Bruce Edwards, Watson's longtime caddie, was diagnosed with ALS in January 2003, Watson has taken on a highly visible role in helping raise public awareness for the disease through the "Driving 4 Life" fundraising campaign. "Driving 4 Life" is a multimillion-dollar campaign supported by Watson. Click for story | Watch the video |
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| 2002: Nick Price |
| Examples of Price's random acts of kindness abound. Matter of fact, it would take a volume of work on the order of the Encyclopedia Britannica to list them all. For instance, Price is a major supporter of the Harare Shelter for Destitutes in his native Zimbabwe, a program for 150 children who have lost parents to AIDS, or whose parents are blind. Click for story | Watch the video |
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| 2001: Ben Crenshaw |
| In many ways, understanding Crenshaw is just as easy. Take his nickname, Gentle Ben. It fits as perfectly as a new cabretta glove. Crenshaw is true gentleman and goes about his business while maintaining sportsmanship and integrity.Click for story |
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| 2000: Byron Nelson |
| Nelson, a man described most often as being a true gentleman by those who met him, passed away at the age of 94 in September 2006. The humble Texan, who received his intro to the game as a caddie, set PGA TOUR records that seemingly will forever remain unreachable.Click for story | Watch the video |
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| 2000: Arnold Palmer |
| More than any player before him, Palmer brought the game of golf to the masses with his go-for-broke style of play. He won four Masters titles in a sequence of alternating years, beginning in 1958. His final-round 65 in the 1960 U.S Open at Cherry Hills cemented his place in the game's lore.Click for story | Watch the video |
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| 2000: Jack Nicklaus |
| It was Nicklaus, arguably golf's all-time best, who set golf's gold standard, winning 18 major championships -- three British Opens, four U.S. Opens, five PGA Championships and an unparalleled six Masters -- as a professional, seven more than Walter Hagen.Click for story | Watch the video |
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| Photo Gallery |
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The announcement of the Payne Stewart Award each year at THE TOUR Championship is a celebration not only of the winner, but also of Payne's life. For a photo gallery of the winners, click here. |
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| Remembering Payne: NBC Special |
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An 11-time PGA TOUR winner and three-time major champion, as well as a devoted husband and father, Payne Stewart tragically passed away 10 years ago this year. To celebrate his life and legacy through the eyes and words of those who knew him best, NBC Sports will air a one-hour special, "Remembering Payne, presented by Southern Company," on Sept. 20 from 1-2 p.m. Read Story | Watch video. |
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