Elmsford, NY (June 17, 2026) — PGA Class A Professional Ted Heins been chosen to receive the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association’s Mary Bea Porter Award. He will be honored on Tuesday, October 6th at the MGWA’s 73rd National Awards Dinner at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, NJ. He joins previously announced honorees Judy Rankin (Gold Tee Award), Mike Whan (Paul Dillon Distinguished Service Award) and Damon Hack (Lincoln Werden Golf Journalism Award). Other award winners will be announced shortly.
This prestigious honor, named after former LPGA Tour pro Mary Bea Porter King, shines a light on individuals or organizations in golf who, through a heroic or humanitarian act, saves or betters the lives of others. Ms. Porter King left the course mid-round during a 1988 LPGA tournament qualifier and saved the life of a drowning 3-year-old boy at a home adjacent to a fairway. Other past Mary Bea Porter Award recipients include Morgan Hoffmann, Lorena Ochoa, Greg Norman, Major Dan Rooney, Julio Ugaz and NYC police officers Vincenzo Rallo (also a PGA Professional) and Mark Kalwa.
Ted Heins is the Lead Assistant Professional in his eighth season at Fresh Meadow CC and has been recognized as one of Golf Digest’s Top 10 NYS Teachers for 2026/27. In 
2025, he did something few people have the bravery to do: He donated a kidney to a stranger in order to move his father, Bobby, up the list for a donated kidney since he himself wasn’t a match. Bobby Heins, a well-known Met-area PGA Professional, served as Head Pro at Old Oaks CC from 1982 – 2016 and competed in 15 major championships (two US Opens, three PGA Championships, two US Senior Opens and eight Senior PGA Championships). He’s a member of the Met PGA Hall of Fame and is still known as one of the country’s best teachers and players.
Ted’s love for his father and his selflessness not only led to Bobby receiving the life-saving kidney he needed, it also likely saved the life of a complete stranger. Ted’s courageous donation earned a 2025 Met PGA Special Award, which recognizes PGA Professionals who go above and beyond their work. In their press release announcing the award, the Met PGA said, “When Met PGA Hall of Famer Bobby Heins’ need for a kidney replacement became evident, troubling times for the family began. As identifying a donor became more difficult than they’d expected, Bobby’s son Ted (also a PGA Professional) was optimistic that he would be a match to donate a kidney to his dad. When tests revealed that the two were not a match, Ted did the next best thing, donating a kidney to someone else to elevate Bobby on the recipient list. Absent Ted’s selfless act, a transplant for Bobby was highly unlikely.
Both Ted and his father have been doing well since their surgeries.
“The Heins family is a Met area treasure and Ted’s selfless act of love is indicative,” MGWA president Hank Gola remarked in announcing the award. “The MGWA has long been proud to present the Mary Bea Porter Award and it is always special when we can honor someone with local ties. We are grateful that both father and son are doing so well and can’t wait to welcome them at our National Awards Dinner.”
Formed in 1952, the MGWA has celebrated the game of golf and promoted golf journalism since its inception. Its signature event, the MGWA National Awards Dinner, has been one of the highlights on the golf calendar since its very first Dinner was held at Toots Shor’s Restaurant in January,1953. Over the decades, the Dinner has honored – and been attended by – some of the greatest names in the sport: Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, JoAnne Carner, Gary Player, Billy Casper, Nancy Lopez, Tom Watson and Annika Sorenstam, to name just a few. 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 had a significant philanthropic impact in the Metropolitan New York area, raising millions of dollars for local Caddie Scholarship programs, the MGA Foundation, and the Dave Marr Journalism Scholarship.
Click here to purchase tickets to the Dinner. For more information, view this one-minute video or contact Robin Sauerhaft, MGWA Executive Administrator, at: rsauerhaft@mgagolf.org.
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