Golf Hall of Fame: A Look at Five Who were Overlooked

The Golf Hall of Fame announced its most recent candidates. However, these five deserving candidates for the Hall of Fame have been overlooked.

The World Golf Hall of Fame will add up to four new members next year from a group of 10 nominees announced last week. The class, highlighted by Tiger Woods, is a strong one.

Aside from Woods, those under consideration for induction include former Commissioner Tim Finchem, pioneer architect Marion Hollins, Tom Weiskopf, Padraig Harrington, Johnny Farrell, Dottie Pepper, Sandra Palmer, Beverly Hanson, and Susie Maxwell Berning.

Hall rules permit the induction of up to four new members in voting that is conducted every two years.

There are presently 155 inductees in the Hall, representing a span of the game’ history dating back to the 1850s. It’s a large number, but it does not mean that all eligible and deserving candidates have been inducted.

In fact, several former stars of the game, particularly its formative era continue to be overlooked.

These overlooked players, five of whom stand out, comprise an international cast: a Brit, a Swede, two Scottish-Americans and the first native-born American star. Collectively they won six currently recognized majors as well as dozens of other PGA or LPGA-sponsored events.

At one point or another in their careers, each was recognized as the best, or among the best, at what they do.

Time has forgotten about them for various reasons, including war and personal setbacks. But all five deserve stronger consideration when the next round of Hall balloting is conducted two years from now.

Here are the stories of these five, all of whose inclusions onto the golf Hall of Fame’s 2023 ballot would upgrade that ballot.