Golf
Venturi to enter Hall of Fame
2012-10-09 08:06
Ken Venturi (Gallo Images)
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Pebble Beach - Ken Venturi, the 1964 US Open champion who spent 35 years as a US television golf commentator, was named on Monday as a 2013 inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Venturi, who was selected in the lifetime achievement category, will join previously elected Fred Couples at enshrinement ceremonies on May 6 at the Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida, ahead of the PGA Tour's Players Championship.
"The greatest reward in life is to be remembered, and I thank the World Golf Hall of Fame for remembering me," Venturi said. "It's the dream of a lifetime."
Venturi, 81, won 14 PGA titles but his enduring feat came in 1964 at Congressional Country Club just outside Washington, where he overcame severe dehydration in sweltering temperatures to claim his only major title.
"Ken Venturi's victory in the 1964 US Open remains one of the greatest moments in the championship's 112-year history," US Golf Association executive director Mike Davis said.
"His ability to overcome extremely difficult conditions at Congressional personifies the perseverance, determination and execution required to be a US Open champion."
Venturi was forced off the course by carpal tunnel syndrome and in 1968 he joined CBS television and spent 35 years in the commentary booth with a triumphant stint in 2000 as the US Presidents Cup team captain.