The timing seems poetic.
As Golfweek wraps up celebrating its 50th anniversary, one of the most influential figures in the magazine’s history has been bestowed a major honor, albeit posthumously.
Jeff Babineau, longtime editor of Golfweek and one of the industry’s most recognizable and revered figures, has been named the recipient of the PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism. His career will be celebrated on April 8 at the 52nd annual ISPS Handa GWAA Awards Dinner in Augusta, Georgia. Babineau died on Dec. 9, 2024, at his home in Oviedo, Florida. He was 62.
Jeff Babineau 2015 – 2015/16 Staff Mugs – (Golfweek/Tracy Wilcox)
“Jeff Babineau was in a class of his own,” said Nathan Charnes, PGA of America vice president. “As a highly skilled writer and editor, Jeff covered the game of golf with the utmost professionalism and expertise. His enduring impact extends far beyond his published work as he was a dedicated and compassionate mentor to countless journalists learning the profession. While Jeff’s friendly presence and best-in-class coverage is missed throughout media centers across the country, his legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.”
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Established in 1991, the PGA of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism recognizes members of the media for their steadfast promotion of golf. Babineau’s family, including wife, Jane, and sons Derek (Bisgounis), Keith (Bisgounis) and Luke will accept the award in his honor.
Fellow golf writers and peers of Tim Rosaforte participated in The Rosie on Monday: (from left) Randall Mell, Craig Dolch, Bill Davis (pro) and Jeff Babineau.
“It’s been eye-opening for me and the whole family just to see how loved and respected he was in the industry,” Jane Babineau said. “We knew how loved he was as a father and a husband and a friend, but now we get to see the other side of it. He loved his job. He loved the people that he worked with. He was well respected and he respected everybody”
After graduating from Florida Southern College in 1984, Babineau got his start in journalism at the Orlando Sentinel in 1986, covering golf as well as the NFL, NHL and college sports.
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He moved to Golfweek in 1998 and became a senior writer and deputy editor, eventually taking over as editor in 2008. He served in that role until 2014, when he gave up the editor’s role to focus on his passion for writing, at which he excelled, having won many awards over the years.
Jeff Babineau presents to Gary Woodland the Golf Writers Association of America’s 2024 Ben Hogan Award – an individual who has continued to be active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness – at the GWAA’s annual dinner the week of the Masters. (Courtesy of the GWAA/David Cannon/Getty Images)
He departed Golfweek in 2017 and began work as a freelancer among other opportunities.
Babineau also served as president of the Golf Writers Association of America from 2015-17 and was GWAA secretary at the time of his passing.
“There are a couple of things that stand out with his career,” remembers Jane. “He came home from work one day and said ‘my life’s about to change’ and it was because Tiger Woods just declared his hometown as Orlando. That was a big thing. When Payne Stewart died, he was an emotional wreck about that. He was granted permission to go over to, I don’t know if it was to Payne’s house or his property and report on it. That kind of thing hit him hard.”
Veteran sports reporter Jim McCabe came to Golfweek after over 23 years at the Boston Globe, primarily for the opportunity to work with Babineau.
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“What struck me with us is you want to have good friends in life,” said McCabe. “You’ve got to work and you want to have a good boss. When I went to Golfweek, I had a good friend as a boss. How cool is that? It’s not often that you look at someone as a mentor who is younger than you. He was younger than I was, but he was more experienced in the journalism world as a writer.”
McCabe was routinely amazed at Babineau’s relentless work ethic, passion for comprehensive reporting and willingness to go the extra mile on every story.
Ron Balicki was the first non-coach inducted into the GCAA Hall of Fame, shown here with Lance Ringler (left) and Jeff Babineau.
“I never considered myself lazy or lacking a work ethic,” said McCabe. “I was high on both ends there, but I couldn’t match him. He was easy to work for. He had that way about him. He could bring out the best in you because he always brought out the best in himself.”
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“He made time that he really didn’t have for anyone in the press who needed guidance,” added Doug Ferguson of The Associated Press. “More than being an absolute rock, he was an inspiration. And above all, everyone considered him a close friend because he made them feel that way.
Rex Hoggard, Jeff Babineau and Jeff Rude at Old Head in Ireland.
“There are a lot of references to coaching trees in the NFL and college football. I always think of the enormous reach of Babs. The people he hired or mentored during his time at Golfweek are all over our industry now. That might be as great a legacy as any.”
(Editor’s note: Parts of this story ran in Babineau’s obituary in 2024.)
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Jeff Babineau, Golfweek editor, receives PGA Lifetime Achievement Award
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