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.”
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