Richard Zokol Named for Induction into Canadian Golf Hall of Fame

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Golf Canada have announced that Richard Zokol of Vancouver and Stephen Ross of Dundas, Ont. have been elected as the 2011 inductees into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Zokol is being inducted in the player category while Ross will be inducted as a builder.  With their inductions, Ross and Zokol become the 68th and 69th honoured members of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.

Ross is the former longtime Executive Director of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (Golf Canada) while Zokol spent  23 years as a member of the PGA TOUR in a career that included a pair of PGA TOUR victories.

“Being inducted into our country’s Golf Hall of Fame is an immeasurable honour considering the past contributions of Canadian legends of the game beforehand,” said Zokol.  “The feeling of gratitude of just being considered is overwhelming.”

“The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame seeks to recognize excellence as golfers, contributors and supporters of the game,” said David Shaw, Chair of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Selection Committee.  “Stephen Ross and Richard Zokol have each amassed their own unique golf-related legacies and are fine examples of what makes golf such a great sport.  Both of our 2011 inductees made tremendous contributions to the game and it is only fitting that, as such, they are recognized for their accomplishments.”

Zokol will be formally inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame this summer at a ceremony in Vancouver while details of Ross’ induction will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Born August 21, 1958 in Kitimat, B.C., Richard Zokol’s playing career is highlighted by success in amateur, collegiate and professional golf.  As an amateur, he was a member of Canada’s 1980 World Amateur Team and won the 1981 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.  In 1981, he helped Brigham Young University win the 1981 NCAA Team Championship.

Zokol turned professional in 1981, with his first professional victory coming at the 1982 British Columbia Open.  Zokol spent 22 years competing on the PGA TOUR and has two career victories – the 1992 Greater Milwaukee Open and 1992 Deposit Guarantee Classic.  He also won the 1984 Utah Open as well as the 2001 Canadian PGA Championship (which was a Nationwide Tour event at the time).  He represented Canada at the World Cup (1992 and 1993) and was a member of the Dunhill Cup Team (1985-1987 and 1992-1993).

He is a former host of Acura World of Golf; a published author (Swing Free: 3 Simple Steps to Better Golf) and was named Canadian Playing Professional Golfer of the Year in both 1992 and 1993.  In 2009, he was inducted into both the Brigham Young University Hall of Fame and the British Columbia Golf Hall of Fame.  His is an honorary member of Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver as well as a developer and chairman with the acclaimed Sagebrush Golf and Sporting Club near Merritt, B.C.

Operated by Golf Canada, the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame, museum and library are open to visitors to discover more about the game and the inductees. For more information please visit www.cghf.org.