ELMSFORD, N.Y. (June 30, 2014) - The Metropolitan Golf Writers Association hosted its 63rd National Awards Dinner at the Westchester Marriot in Tarrytown, N.Y., on June 23rd. MGWA President and Master of Ceremonies Bruce Beck led the program and announced the honored guests for the night, which included Fred Couples and Nancy Lopez.

Hall of Famer Fred Couples joined the long list of deserving recipients for the Gold Tee Award, and with his cool attitude he accepted this esteemed award, the highest honor presented by the Association, with grace. The Gold Tee Award is presented to an individual whose achievements throughout their career exemplify the best spirit and traditions of the sport of golf, and he was recognized for his leadership and achievements both on and off the golf course.

Related: View the Photo Gallery

One of golf's greatest and most popular players, Nancy Lopez,  was awarded the Winnie Palmer Award, presented to an individual who has consistently given their time and energy to those less fortunate. For the past 33 years, Lopez has worked with AIM for the Handicapped, hosting an annual golf tournament to benefit those with special  needs. Lopez is also a past winner of the MGWA's Gold Tee Award.

Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, N.J. was awarded the Club of the Year. Knickerbocker is celebrating its centennial this year, and was honored for the club's efforts to uphold the spirit and tradititions of golf through support and dedication to the game.

The Bing Crosby Tournament Award was presented to Travelers for their ongoing support of the game of golf through The Travelers Championship. Travelers recently renewed its title sponsorship for ten more years, one of the longest title sponsor renewals on the PGA TOUR. Through their sponsorship, the tournament is able to support local charities in the Hartford, Conn., area.

The Blackwelder Family was honored as the Family of the Year. The MGWA gives this award to a family "for its contributions to the game and for representing the virtues and ideals of golf and family." Myra Blackwelder, the matriarch of the family, played for 13 years on the LPGA Tour, and she married her caddie, Worth Blackwelder. Worth has been a repsected professional caddie for 27 years, and taught the tricks of the trade to his son, Myles. Mallory Blackwelder is on her quest to play on the LPGA Tour, currently playing on the Symertra Tour. The family also owns the Blackwelder Golf Academy in Versailles, Kentucky.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to the New Jersey Section of the PGA. The NJ PGA and its New Jersey Golf Foundation aims to grow the game of golf in New Jersey and teach life lessons through the game.

Award winning sportswriter and best-selling author John Feinstein received the Lincoln Werden Golf Journalism Award. The author of more than 30 books, Feinstein wrote nine of them about golf and now is a commentator for CBS Sports Radio and Golf Channel, proving his dedication to outstanding journalism.

The entire night was a great representation of how this beautiful game of golf can bring together a community of people to celebrate all of the great things it can do for others.

For more information about the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association, please visit www.metgolfwriters.org or contact Kate Keller at kate@metgolfwriters.org.