Jan Stephenson to Receive the MGWA’s Winnie Palmer Award

Elmsford, NY (August 9, 2023) – Three-time LPGA major championship winner Jan Stephenson will be honored with the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association’s Winnie Palmer Award at their 71^st National Awards Dinner on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.  The Dinner will be held in Briarcliff Manor, NY at the prestigious Sleepy Hollow Country Club, site of numerous golf championships including this year’s Mid-Amateur.  Among others who will be honored at the Dinner later this year are Larry Nelson, who will receive the coveted Gold Tee award, Gil Hanse (Paul Dillon Distinguished Service Award), Jimmy Roberts (Lincoln Werden Golf Journalism Award), Julio Ugaz (Mary Bea Porter Award), GlenArbor Country Club (Club of the Year), and the Youngs (Cameron, David and Barbara), the 2023 MGWA Family of the Year. 
 
Jan Stephenson’s love of golf began as a child in her home country of Australia, where she won six consecutive State Schoolgirl golf championships. She represented her home state in the Australian National Women’s Championships at age 15.  Six years later, she joined the Australian LPGA and the following year she became a member of the U.S. LPGA, where she won Rookie of the Year honors.
 
Once turning pro, Jan’s career really took off.  She won three majors in three consecutive years (1981-83). She holds 41 worldwide titles, including 16 LPGA tournaments and 10 LPGA Legends Tour championships.  She was the first inductee in the LPGA Legends Hall of Fame in 2013 and became a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2019.  She was awarded the Order of Australia medal for her contributions to the game of golf and her fund-raising efforts for non-profit organizations around the world by Queen Elizabeth in 1983.
 
Traveling to compete in tournaments around the world gave Stephenson a deep appreciation for the freedoms enjoyed by so many thanks to the U.S. military.  It was this realization that led to the creation of the Jan Stephenson Crossroads Foundation, whose mission is to “provide disabled veterans and first responders with the tools they need to move forward in life” through golf.  To that end, Jan acquired the Tarpon Woods Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.  The Club has become the Foundation’s headquarters where blind, disabled and wounded veterans and first responders participate in clinics and training that allow them to achieve goals they didn’t think were possible.
 
Jan’s philanthropic work doesn’t stop there.  In addition to her Crossroads Foundation, Stephenson is also an active representative for the Arthritis Foundation.  She has created an arthritis instructional video series through the PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) program. Additionally, Jan has collaborated with Razor Golf to design clubs and clothing for arthritis sufferers.
 
“We are thrilled to present Jan Stephenson with the 2023 Winnie Palmer Award,” said MGWA President Brian Crowell.  “Jan had an incredible career, highlighted by her three Major Championships. But this award underscores the great impact she continues to make with her Crossroads Foundation and other charitable efforts. Her motto is: ‘Giving to those who have given so much’…and she continues to exceed expectations. We are honored to give Jan this well-deserved recognition.” 
 
The MGWA’s Winnie Palmer Award, named in honor of Arnold Palmer’s wife Winnie, who worked tirelessly on behalf of literacy programs and healthcare, recognizes an individual who has consistently given their time, energy, and enthusiasm to those less fortunate.  The 2022 Winnie Palmer Award recognized renowned Sports Radio and TV talk show host Ann Liguori for her charitable work.  Previous recipients of this prestigious award include Tom Watson, Nancy Lopez, Ernie Els and the Gary Player Foundation.
 
The MGWA has celebrated the game of golf and promoted golf journalism since its inception in 1952.  Each year, it honors the sport’s champions and contributors at its largest fundraiser, the National Awards Dinner.  This highly anticipated event is supported by golf’s leading organizations and corporate supporters, Met Area clubs and club leaders, as well as local and national golf media. Through the Dinner and other events, the MGWA has raised millions of dollars for the Association’s beneficiaries, which include Caddie Scholarship programs in the Metropolitan New York area, the MGA Foundation, and the Dave Marr Journalism Scholarship at Columbia University.