Latest news with #SouthernCompany
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Major Champion Receives 'Humbling' Award Named After Legendary Late Friend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Major champion and current golf commentator Paul Azinger was honored by the PGA Tour with one of its most special awards, the Payne Stewart Award. It was a particularly meaningful moment for Azinger, as Stewart was one of his closest friends until his death in 1999. The Payne Stewart Award is given to recognize the honoree's character, sportsmanship, and commitment to charitable giving. It has been presented annually since 2000, and past recipients include Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, and Justin Rose. "To be named the recipient of this award, representing my dearest friend, is one of the proudest moments in my life," said Azinger, according to the PGA Tour's official website. "Payne displayed the ultimate character, sportsmanship and service to others throughout his career. He set the standard for how to represent the game of golf, so to be recognized for this award is truly humbling." 'It's probably one of the proudest moments of my life.' In a special surprise, @PaulAzinger and his wife Toni learn that he's been named the 2025 Payne Stewart Award recipient presented by @SouthernCompany. — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 21, 2025 In officially presenting the award, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan highlighted Azinger's extraordinary qualities. "We are pleased to add Paul Azinger's name to the long and illustrious list of those who have received the Payne Stewart Award presented by Southern Company," Monahan said, according to the PGA Tour's official website. "If there is one person who knows all the positive traits that exemplified Payne Stewart, it's his close friend, Paul. His values align with the character and charitable pursuits that Payne displayed throughout his career, and it's only fitting that Paul be honored with this year's award." Azinger has done extraordinary charitable work throughout his career, primarily through the Paul and Toni Azinger Charitable Fund, which manages the Azinger Family Compassion Center. The center serves disadvantaged families in Manatee County, Florida. 1993: Portrait of Paul Azinger of the USA with the trophy after winning the USPGA tournament at the Inverness Golf Club in Ohio, USA. 1993: Portrait of Paul Azinger of the USA with the trophy after winning the USPGA tournament at the Inverness Golf Club in Ohio, Azinger and Payne Stewart in Professional Golf Azinger won 12 PGA Tour tournaments during his professional golf career, including the 1993 PGA Championship. In 1995, he began combining broadcasting work, a career he pursued after his playing days ended. Currently, Azinger covers the PGA Tour Champions for Golf Channel. Stewart was one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour in the 1980s and 1990s. His unique outfits and extraordinary results made him a true fan favorite. Stewart won 11 PGA Tour tournaments, including three major championships (the 1989 PGA Championship and the 1991 and 1999 US Open). He also represented the United States in five Ryder Cups, with three wins and one tie. He died in a plane crash in October 1999. More Golf: The Open: Scottie Scheffler Sets Multiple Records With Fourth Major Title
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Paul Azinger is selected to receive the PGA Tour's Payne Stewart Award
Brandt Snedeker delivers a heartfelt speech after being named the PGA Tour's 2024 Payne Stewart Award winner, where he reflected on his admiration for Payne, the state of golf and much more. Paul Azinger is getting what he considers the greatest honor of his career. He was announced Monday as recipient of the Payne Stewart Award that recognizes traits belonging to his closest friend on the PGA Tour. The award began in 2000, a year after Stewart and three others died in a plane crash. It has become one of the top awards in golf, with a ceremony televised live from Atlanta during the Tour Championship in August. 'To be named the recipient of this award, representing my dearest friend, is one of the proudest moments in my life,' Azinger said. Azinger is a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 1993 PGA Championship that he won in a playoff. He is equally known for reshaping the Ryder Cup qualification system and leading the Americans to a rare victory against Europe in 2008. He now works as a television analyst for the PGA Tour Champions. The award honors a player who shows character, sportsmanship and commitment to charity. Azinger and his wife, Toni, in 2021 opened the Azinger Family Compassion Center, which serves vulnerable and struggling families in Manatee County in Florida. The Southern Company, which sponsors the award, donates $300,000 toward the recipient's charity and $200,000 to Stewart Family Foundation programs. Stewart, a three-time major champion and the reigning U.S. Open champion when he died in 1999, and Azinger were close friends on tour. Azinger was the main speaker at Stewart's memorial service, rolling up his pants to look like plus fours and wearing a tam o'shanter cap. 'Payne displayed the ultimate character, sportsmanship and service to others throughout his career. He set the standard for how to represent the game of golf, so to be recognized for this award is truly humbling,' Azinger said. The ceremony will be Aug. 19. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson received the inaugural award. Brandt Snedeker received it last year. Other winners over the years have included Tom Watson and Nick Price, Steve Stricker and Tom Lehman. 'If there is one person who knows all the positive traits that exemplified Payne Stewart, it's his close friend, Paul,' PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said. 'His values align with the character and charitable pursuits that Payne displayed throughout his career, and it's only fitting that Paul be honored with this year's award.'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Paul Azinger named recipient of PGA Tour's 2025 Payne Stewart Award
Paul Azinger has another honor to add to his resume. The PGA Tour announced Monday it was honoring Azinger with the Payne Stewart Award in recognition of his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving. The Payne Stewart Award is presented annually by the PGA Tour to a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart's steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship. Stewart, an 11-time PGA Tour winner and World Golf Hall of Fame member, died tragically 26 years ago during the week of the Tour Championship. 'To be named the recipient of this award, representing my dearest friend, is one of the proudest moments in my life,' Azinger said in a release. 'Payne displayed the ultimate character, sportsmanship and service to others throughout his career. He set the standard for how to represent the game of golf, so to be recognized for this award is truly humbling.' Azinger is a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and has 12 Tour titles to his credit, including his most memorable win at the 1993 PGA Championship. 'We are pleased to add Paul Azinger's name to the long and illustrious list of those who have received the Payne Stewart Award presented by Southern Company,' said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. 'If there is one person who knows all the positive traits that exemplified Payne Stewart, it's his close friend, Paul. His values align with the character and charitable pursuits that Payne displayed throughout his career, and it's only fitting that Paul be honored with this year's award.' The Tour will honor Azinger on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in conjunction with the Tour Championship. Golf Channel will televise the ceremony as part of a 'Golf Central' special from 7-8 p.m. EDT at the Southern Exchange in downtown Atlanta. In addition to a sculpture by Bob Pack presented to the recipient, the Payne Stewart Award is accompanied by an annual Payne Stewart Award grant made possible by Southern Company. The $500,000 grant supports several initiatives in Stewart's name and is distributed as follows: $100,000 to Payne and Tracey Stewart's primary charity, The Stewart Family Foundation; $100,000 in Stewart's honor to Payne Stewart Memorial, located in Missouri at Kids Across America, which is affiliated with Kanakuk Kamps; and $300,000 to a charity designated by the recipient. Azinger is directing funds to the Paul and Toni Azinger Charitable Fund, which will be used to continue the work at the Azinger Family Compassion Center. Opened in 2021 on the campus of One More Child, the 12,000-square-foot facility which aims to serve vulnerable and struggling families within Manatee County, Florida. Over the past year, the Azinger Family Compassion Center for One More Child has distributed nearly $19 million worth of food, clothing, household items and other needed supplies, and supported more than 190 nonprofit partners from the surrounding area. "Paul Azinger is a tremendous selection to be the next recipient of the Payne Stewart Award. Paul is a champion and leader who personifies what it means to be a Payne Stewart Award recipient, purposefully embodying Payne's values of character, charity and sportsmanship,' Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company, said in a release. 'Paul and Toni are deeply committed to serving their community and continue to do remarkable philanthropic work supporting kids and families in their time of need.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Azinger is selected to receive the PGA Tour's Payne Stewart Award
Paul Azinger is getting what he considers the greatest honor of his career. He was announced Monday as recipient of the Payne Stewart Award that recognizes traits belonging to his closest friend on the PGA Tour. The award began in 2000, a year after Stewart and three others died in a plane crash. It has become one of the top awards in golf, with a ceremony televised live from Atlanta during the Tour Championship in August. "To be named the recipient of this award, representing my dearest friend, is one of the proudest moments in my life,' Azinger said. Azinger is a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 1993 PGA Championship that he won in a playoff. He is equally known for reshaping the Ryder Cup qualification system and leading the Americans to a rare victory against Europe in 2008. He now works as a television analyst for the PGA Tour Champions. The award honors a player who shows character, sportsmanship and commitment to charity. Azinger and his wife, Toni, in 2021 opened the Azinger Family Compassion Center, which serves vulnerable and struggling families in Manatee County in Florida. The Southern Company, which sponsors the award, donates $300,000 toward the recipient's charity and $200,000 to Stewart Family Foundation programs. Stewart, a three-time major champion and the reigning U.S. Open champion when he died in 1999, and Azinger were close friends on tour. Azinger was the main speaker at Stewart's memorial service, rolling up his pants to look like plus fours and wearing a tam o'shanter cap. 'Payne displayed the ultimate character, sportsmanship and service to others throughout his career. He set the standard for how to represent the game of golf, so to be recognized for this award is truly humbling," Azinger said. The ceremony will be Aug. 19. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson received the inaugural award. Brandt Snedeker received it last year. Other winners over the years have included Tom Watson and Nick Price, Steve Stricker and Tom Lehman. 'If there is one person who knows all the positive traits that exemplified Payne Stewart, it's his close friend, Paul," PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said. "His values align with the character and charitable pursuits that Payne displayed throughout his career, and it's only fitting that Paul be honored with this year's award.' ___ AP golf:
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Paul Azinger is selected to receive the PGA Tour's Payne Stewart Award
Associated Press Paul Azinger is getting what he considers the greatest honor of his career. He was announced Monday as recipient of the Payne Stewart Award that recognizes traits belonging to his closest friend on the PGA Tour. The award began in 2000, a year after Stewart and three others died in a plane crash. It has become one of the top awards in golf, with a ceremony televised live from Atlanta during the Tour Championship in August. "To be named the recipient of this award, representing my dearest friend, is one of the proudest moments in my life,' Azinger said. Azinger is a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 1993 PGA Championship that he won in a playoff. He is equally known for reshaping the Ryder Cup qualification system and leading the Americans to a rare victory against Europe in 2008. He now works as a television analyst for the PGA Tour Champions. The award honors a player who shows character, sportsmanship and commitment to charity. Azinger and his wife, Toni, in 2021 opened the Azinger Family Compassion Center, which serves vulnerable and struggling families in Manatee County in Florida. The Southern Company, which sponsors the award, donates $300,000 toward the recipient's charity and $200,000 to Stewart Family Foundation programs. Stewart, a three-time major champion and the reigning U.S. Open champion when he died in 1999, and Azinger were close friends on tour. Azinger was the main speaker at Stewart's memorial service, rolling up his pants to look like plus fours and wearing a tam o'shanter cap. 'Payne displayed the ultimate character, sportsmanship and service to others throughout his career. He set the standard for how to represent the game of golf, so to be recognized for this award is truly humbling," Azinger said. The ceremony will be Aug. 19. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson received the inaugural award. Brandt Snedeker received it last year. Other winners over the years have included Tom Watson and Nick Price, Steve Stricker and Tom Lehman. 'If there is one person who knows all the positive traits that exemplified Payne Stewart, it's his close friend, Paul," PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said. "His values align with the character and charitable pursuits that Payne displayed throughout his career, and it's only fitting that Paul be honored with this year's award.' ___ AP golf: recommended Item 1 of 2
