Longtime friend and inspiration of Golf for All, Dennis Walters, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in Pebble Beach, CA. Executive Director Fred Corcoran took in the ceremonies as a personal guest of Dennis and ambassador of GFA.
Dennis Walters is an elite golfer who was paralyzed from the waist-down at the age of 24 following a golf cart accident. He has since dedicated his career to sharing life lessons and inspiring fans and disabled golfers of all ages through golf clinics and special performances at more than 3,000 worldwide appearances. Former spokesperson and national ambassador for The First Tee, his message is to always continue hoping and dreaming. He is one of only 11 honorary lifetime members of the PGA of America. Walters was also honored with the 1978 Ben Hogan Award and was a 2018 recipient of the USGA’s Bob Jones Award.
Fred said the experience was a dream come true. “My late uncle and namesake, Fred Corcoran, was one of the first inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame. This year, my dear friend Dennis Walters, was inducted into this elite pantheon of greats. I have known Dennis for almost 20 years and have been privileged to host his amazing show several times.The induction ceremony took place a few days before the start of this year’s U.S. Open. Dennis’s sponsor was the greatest golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus. Jack sponsored and introduced Dennis at the ceremony. It was beyond a thrill to spend time with Jack and his wife, Barbara.”
Fred spent the evening following the reception visiting and discussing GFA with some of golf’s greatest players of all time and some of this year’s inductees including Jack Nicklaus, Nancy Lopez, Gary Player, Billy Payne (Augusta Nationnal), Jan Stephenson, Lee Trevino, Annika Sörenstam, Nick Price, Pat Bradley, and others. “What struck me was how available and gracious these superstars were in this relaxed atmosphere. I’m forever indebted to Dennis for remembering me and sharing his moment.”