ELMSFORD, N.Y. (June 1, 2006) - Phil Mickelson,winner of 27 PGA Tour tournaments and two majors, will 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, who captured the 2005 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club with a dramatic flop shot on the 72nd hole to secure victory with a birdie, will receive the Gold Tee Award, the MGWA’s highest honor.

Mickelson, a fan favorite particularly in the New York metropolitan area, enjoyed another solid year in 2005 by earning four tournament titles:  the FBR Open, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, BellSouth Classic and the PGA.  A record-equaling round 60 at the FBR and a record 62 shot at Spyglass Hill during the AT&T Pebble Beach were performance highlights.  He also registered nine top 10 finishes. Currently ranked third in the Official World Golf Rankings, Mickelson launches his 2006 campaign at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. 

The 2004 Masters champion is a veteran member of five Ryder Cups and six Presidents Cup teams.  Mickelson joins an elite club of distinguished individuals who have received the Gold Tee Award that includes Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Patty Berg, Nancy Lopez, Annika Sorenstam, Bob Hope and Gerald R. Ford.

The MGWA’s National Awards Dinner is the largest (and longest running) golf dinner held annually in the U.S.  All of golf’s governing bodies actively support the dinner—the USGA, PGA of America, LPGA, PGA Tour and Champions Tour—and some 800 industry leaders and local golfers attend.  Proceeds from the dinner are distributed to the Metropolitan (New York) area caddie scholarship programs and the MGA Foundation.  More than $800,000 has been raised over the years for charitable endeavors.

For advance table and ticket sales reservations or additional information, please contact Ann Rold at (914) 347-4653.