Australian PGA Honors Norman

Dec. 1, 2005

The PGA of Australia has issued its strongest possibleendorsement of Greg Norman by making him a life member of the association.

His mentor Charlie Earp put forward the nomination forhis former pupil at the PGA's annual general meeting Wednesday.

Norman: "The PGA gave me the road map I needed to succeed, and I would argue that's the case for all those who have been positively influenced byits core values."

It was approved by unanimous acclamation and puts Normanin company with legendary players such as Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle andNorman Von Nida.

"This honor is only bestowed on a select few individualswho are judged by their peers to have made a significant contribution togolf and the PGA in particular," the association said in a statement.

"At the end of a week of controversy whereby Norman'scontribution to Australian golf was questioned, this accolade once and forall puts to rest any doubt that Greg has made an outstanding contributionto the PGA."

Norman, 50, was last week voted Australia's golfer of thecentury in a poll of PGA members.

He was unaware of the new honor when he prepared a videostatement from the United States which was played during a dinner tocelebrate the centenary of the Australian PGA Championship.

Norman spoke of his pride in being a member of theAustralian PGA and paid tribute to his first coach.

"Had it not been for the PGA of Australia and the supportof PGA members like Charlie Earp and Bill McWilliam I would not be where Iam today," he said.

In another tribute the PGA announced a new award in honorof 85-year-old Nagle. The Kel Nagle Plate will be presented to the bestrookie in each Australian PGA championship.

Nagle, who won the centenary British Open in 1960 andholds the record of six Australian PGA titles, was unable to attend thecentenary celebrations following the death of his daughter Lyn.

"Kel is not only one of Australia's greatest sportingchampions and a true gentleman, but I am thrilled to see that hispopularity and influence extends over the breadth of his PGA Championshippeers," said association president Geoff Scott. "Nagle's name will now livefor ever as our greatest PGA champion."