Masters Champion Phil Mickelson Joins Met Area Recipients at 2006 MGWA National Awards Dinner
ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 13, 2006) — Phil Mickelson, fresh off his two-stroke victory at The Masters, will return to the Met Area to be recognized for his outstanding career achievements by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association at their 55th National Awards dinner on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at the Hilton Rye Town in Rye Brook, New York. Mickelson will receive the Gold Tee Award, the MGWA’s highest honor. The following week, Mickelson will compete in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, where he seeks to win his third consecutive major championship, and second in the Met Area.
Mickelson, who is a fan favorite no matter where he plays, has performed exceptionally well in major championships in the Met Area over the last four years. After second place finishes at both the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage “Black” and the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, Mickelson captured his second major championship at the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey. Mickelson will arrive at Winged Foot with momentum and confidence after his 28-under par, 13-stroke victory at the BellSouth Classic and his Masters triumph over an impressive group of final round contenders, including Tiger Woods, Fred Couples and Vijay Singh.
Mickelson, also a member of five Ryder Cup and six Presidents Cup teams, joins the elite club of Gold Tee Award recipients. These include Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gerald R. Ford.
Dave Stevenson to Receive Mary Bea Porter Award
Another notable guest at the National Awards Dinner is Lake Isle Country Club head professional Dave Stevenson. Prior to September 2005, Stevenson had never been to Mississippi and had no plans to go. That was before Hurricane Katrina had its devastating effect on the Gulf Coast. In the subsequent six months, Stevenson made four trips to Hancock County, Mississippi to help the community clean up and rebuild. Stevenson was supported with monetary donations from the Lake Isle membership, allowing him to bring needed supplies to hurricane victims. In recognition of that extraordinary effort, Dave Stevenson will be presented the Mary Bea Porter Award at the 2006 Metropolitan Golf Writers Association dinner.
The Porter Award was first given 1989, and goes to an individual who, through a heroic or humanitarian act, saves or betters the lives of others. It was named after Mary Bea Porter King, an LPGA player who saved the life of a drowning toddler during a 1988 tournament in Phoenix.
Other award recipients who will be honored at the MGWA dinner are: Jim L. Awtrey, Distinguished Service Award; Peggy Kirk Bell, Winnie Palmer Award; MasterCard International, Bing Crosby Tournament Sponsor Award; Alpine Country Club, Club of the Year; the Alonzi Family, Family of the Year; and Frank Becerra, Linc Werden Golf Journalism Award.
