John A. Solheim was awarded the PGA Distinguished Service Award in 2022.
According to a Wednesday release, the PGA of America recognized him for his “decades of dedication to the junior golf game” and for his work in the industry.
Solheim, the son of Karsten Solheim, is the executive chairman at Ping. John Solheim was just a teenager when his father started him working in their garage in 1959. He has over 170 U.S. Patents and is a major influence on bag and golf club design.
On Nov. 2, he will be honored at the 2022 PGA Annual Meeting in Phoenix, which takes place at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort.
Solheim stated, “I am very grateful to have been awarded such a prestigious honor by the PGA of America.” “I have been fortunate to spend my entire career working in the golf industry. It has allowed us to build a family business. This is very rewarding for me to now lead our third generation into leadership positions. However, it still allows me to do what I love most: design and develop future products.
Ping has sponsored over 50 American Junior Golf Association tournaments. Solheim created the Ping Junior Solheim Cup in 2002 for junior girls golfers. It was modeled after the Solheim Cup which was established by his parents in 1990.
Past winners
1988 – Herb Graffis 1989 Bob Hope
1991 – Gerald R. Ford
1992 – Gene Sarazen
1993 – Byron Nelson
1994 – Arnold Palmer
1995 – Patty Berg
1996 – Frank Chirkinian
1997 – George H.W. Bush
1998 – Paul Runyan
1999 – Bill Dickey
2000 – Jack Nicklaus
2001 – Mark McCormack
2002 – Tim Finchem
2003 – Vince Gill
2004 – Pete Dye
2005 – Wally Uihlein
2006 – Fred Ridley
2007 – Jack Burke Jr.
2008 – Dennis Walters
2009 – William Powell
2010 – Billy Casper
2011 – Larry Nelson
2012 – Dave Stockton
2013 – Lee Trevino
2014 – Bill J. Clinton
2015 – Deane Beman
2017 – Debi and Mark Rolfing
2019 – Barbara Nicklaus
2022 – John A. Solheim
According to the PGA of America, the “PGA Distinguished Service Award” recognizes exceptional individuals who demonstrate leadership and humanitarian qualities.
