As a proud member of the Golf Writers Association of America, a distinction I hold as dear as my PGA membership, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this year’s award recipients. The GWAA got it right.
Bud Cauley, Mark Rolfing and Stacy Lewis will receive three of the association’s most prestigious honors at the 52nd ISPS Handa GWAA Awards Dinner on April 8 in Augusta, Georgia, the night before the Masters.
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Cauley’s Comeback Earns Ben Hogan Award
The Ben Hogan Award, given annually since 1954 to someone who has remained active in golf despite physical handicap or serious illness, goes to 35-year-old PGA Tour pro Bud Cauley. And if anyone deserves this recognition, it’s him.
Cauley’s story is one of remarkable perseverance. A 2018 car crash left him with five broken ribs, a broken left leg and a collapsed lung. He missed more than three years of competition due to complications from those injuries. Three years. Think about that. For a professional golfer, that’s an eternity.
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But Cauley fought his way back. He regained his PGA Tour card with a tie for sixth at the 2025 Players Championship. Then he finished 47th on the season-ending points list, completing his best year on tour in more than a decade.
“To be recognized by the GWAA for overcoming the challenges I faced recovering from my injuries means a great deal to me,” Cauley told GWAA president Rex Hoggard. “I’m very lucky to have the help and support from my family and friends. I wouldn’t be in the position to accept the Ben Hogan Award without them.”
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Cauley won with 45.9 percent of the vote over LPGA players Madelene Sagström and Kim Kaufman.
Golf’s ‘Mr. Hawaii’ Gets His Due
Mark Rolfing will receive the William D. Richardson Award, given annually since 1948 to someone who has consistently made an outstanding contribution to golf. If you’ve watched golf on NBC Sports or Golf Channel, you know Rolfing’s voice and his passion for the game.
Known as golf’s “Mr. Hawaii” for his deep connection to the PGA Tour’s two stops in the 50th state, Rolfing has been more than just a commentator. He’s a former PGA Distinguished Service Award winner for his grow-the-game initiatives. And following the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, he’s been at the forefront of recovery efforts.
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“I am overwhelmed at the honor I have been given to receive this year’s GWAA William D. Richardson Award,” Rolfing said. “As I reflect on my career, I am constantly reminded of just how many people were so generous with their time and helped me along the way.”
Rolfing captured 45.9 percent of the vote over course architect Rees Jones and LPGA player In Gee Chun.
Lewis Masters the Media Game
Stacy Lewis will receive the Jim Murray Award, given annually since 2002 to a player for cooperation, quotability and accommodation to the media. This one hits home for those of us who cover the game.
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Here’s what makes Lewis special: She used to hate doing media. Early in her career, she’d complain about it to her inner circle. Her mom told her she needed to figure out how to like it. So Lewis did the work. She spent considerable time on media training until she felt comfortable.
The 40-year-old two-time major champion and former world No. 1 became one of the best interviews on the LPGA. She never shies away from saying what needs to be said, even if it ruffles feathers. And she appreciates the value of a good scrum, which has become something of a lost art.
“I’ve always believed that connecting with the media is an important part of being a professional golfer,” Lewis told former GWAA president Beth Ann Nichols. “Not just to represent yourself, but to help tell the story of the game.”
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Lewis won with 38.5 percent of the vote over former PGA Tour players Mark O’Meara and Paul Goydos.
The three honorees will be joined in Augusta by the GWAA’s male, female, and senior players of the year: Scottie Scheffler, Jeeno Thitikul, and Stewart Cink. The ceremony will also recognize the PGA of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award winners in journalism and photojournalism.
These awards matter because they recognize the people who make golf better, whether through perseverance, contribution or connection. The GWAA nailed it this year.
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Related: Breaking Through: How One PGA Pro and His Nonprofit Is Helping Junior Golfers Navigate the Extraordinary Costs of Elite Competition
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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