John A. Solheim was awarded the 2022 PGA Distinguished Service Award recipient by the PGA of America for his contributions to golf.
PGA of America
The legendary Solheim household is including to its legacy.
John A. Solheim, Ping’s government chairman and son of founder Karsten Solheim, was named the PGA of America’s 2022 Distinguished Service Award recipient.
In a press launch, the PGA of America stated, “the PGA Distinguished Service Award honors excellent people who show management and humanitarian qualities, together with integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the sport of golf.”
The award was conceived in 1988 and its recipients embrace three former U.S. Presidents (Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Invoice Clinton). The newest recipient was Barbara Nicklaus in 2019 and the final golf-equipment government to earn the dignity was former Acushnet president and CEO Wally Uihlein in 2005.
“I’ve been blessed to spend my total profession within the golf trade,” Solheim stated within the launch. “It’s allowed us to proceed constructing a household enterprise, which may be very pleasurable for me to now information our robust third era of their management positions and nonetheless enable me to do what I take pleasure in most, design and develop future merchandise.
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“To steer at the moment requires unbelievable analysis in each class, and I promise we gained’t cease. A lot of our success is instantly associated to {our relationships} with the PGA Professionals who’ve represented and helped promote our merchandise for greater than 60 years.
“Early on, my father, Karsten, acknowledged that the PGA’s function and experience would have an enormous affect in customized becoming our golf equipment to assist golfers play higher, and benefit from the recreation extra. To be acknowledged by the PGA is very significant and one of many largest highlights of my profession.”
Solheim obtained his begin within the golf trade working for his father within the household’s storage in 1959. He went on to turn out to be one of many recreation’s most famed inventors, submitting greater than 170 U.S. patents in his title.
Underneath his management, Ping grew to become the primary clubmaker to turn out to be ISO licensed. He additionally expanded Ping’s membership becoming choices for bodily challenged golfers, together with rehabilitation efforts for wounded and disabled veterans.
Solheim created the Ping Junior Solheim Cup, modeled after the occasion his dad and mom began in 1990, for ladies ages 12 to 18.
“John Solheim has set an trade commonplace for the way a golf firm ought to run, and his love and dedication for creating the best high quality merchandise has elevated the bar for all tools producers,” PGA President Jim Richerson stated within the launch. “However what is really admirable about John, and what speaks to his character, is his dedication to rising golf by way of youth participation and serving to bodily challenged adults, kids and navy Veterans uncover a love for the sport.”
Solheim’s oldest son, John Ok., grew to become the president of Ping in 2016.
John A. shall be offered with the award Nov. 2 on the PGA of America’s Annual Assembly.
