hall of fame
induCtions

the impact of moving the world golf hall of fame induction ceremony from the fall to the week of the players will get its full evaluation tonight when we see if attendance at the festivities in st. augustine, about 20 minutes from tpc sawgrass, improves, especially among past and present players. what we do know is that the turnout among the honorees will be somewhat disappointing. president george h.w. bush is unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict, and masashi (jumbo) ozaki, who won more than 100 tournaments worldwide, will remain in japan to play in his country’s pga championship as part of the post-earthquake/tsunami rebuilding effort. also being honored are former cbs producer frank chirkinian, who died earlier this year, and pioneering pro jock hutchi-son, who passed away in 1977. on hand will be three-time major champion ernie els and two-time major winner doug ford. organizers hope moving the date of the induction will enhance the profile of the wghof and the date on which the ceremony lands going forward depends on the success—or failure—of tonight’s event. —Ron Sirak