Ken Schofield, the shrewd administrator and negotiator who, in 30 years of annual progress, led the PGA European Tour from a prize fund of £428,000 to one of more than £80 million, has been selected to receive the Golf Europe Legend award in Munich on 30th September.
The bronze statuette, endorsed jointly by the European Golf Industry Association and the PGAs of Europe, has previously been won by Sir Michael Bonallack, Peter Alliss and Fanny Sunesson for their unique contributions to the sport.
Sir Michael was Britain’s greatest amateur who became secretary of the R&A, Peter Alliss is the world’s best-known commentator and Fanny Sunesson became, in her legendary partnership with Nick Faldo, the only woman to have been a Major-winning caddie.
Now Ken Schofield joins the elite group for his remarkable achievement in leading the European Tour into previously uncharted waters, a Tour which, by its depth and quality, has produced a Ryder Cup team to upstage the USA at home and away, again and again.
The criteria for selection include the following requirements:
- constantly enhances the well-being of the sport
- inspires only positive images
- appeals to all sections of golf
- attracts newcomers to participate
- increases the game’s following either live or on TV
- by their efforts have prompted many thousands to take lessons and purchase equipment
During his magnificent 30 years at the helm of the European Tour, as it increased its value by untold millions in attracting new sponsors and new venues annually, Ken Schofield met those criteria and more.
Although the Tour through its difficult early years was initially led by John Jacobs, it was Schofield who took up the challenge to build on its original prize fund and take it soaring into previously-unimagined territory, before handing over the reins last year to George O’Grady.
The PGAs of Europe www.pgae.com
European Golf Industry Association www.egia.org.uk