Bell, Robertson and Solheim Selected Into The World Golf Hall of Fame.

Sports Editors/Golf Writers & Columnists

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.--(BW SportsWire)--May 30, 2001

Judy Bell, Allan Robertson and Karsten Solheim have been selected for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, it was announced today by the Board of Directors of the World Golf Foundation. Bell, the former USGA President, and Solheim, pioneer club manufacturer were selected through the Lifetime Achievement category, and Robertson, regarded as the first golf professional in history of the game, through the Veterans Category. They will be inducted into the Hall of Fame with the other 2001 honorees on Sunday, November 11.

Bell, 64, of Colorado Springs, CO, became the first woman to serve as USGA President, holding the post from 1996-1997. In 1987, she became the first woman named to the USGA Executive Committee and served as treasurer in 1991, secretary in 1992-1993, and vice-president in 1994-1995. The director of the USGA Foundation since 1999, Bell joined the USGA Foundation committee in 1968 and served as its chairman from 1981-1984. She was also a member of the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship committee from 1961-1964 and received the USGA's Ike Grainger Award for 25 years of volunteer service in 1995. Most recently, Bell was the captain of the U.S. men's squad for the 2000 World Amateur Team Championship.

"There may be no higher honor in the game of golf than to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame," said Trey Holland, President of the USGA. "As both a player and an administrator, Judy Bell has committed her entire lifetime to enhancing the legacy of the greatest of all games. She is most deserving of this special tribute."

An outstanding amateur golfer, Bell was selected as a member of the U.S. Curtis Cup team in 1960 and 1962. She also served as the non-playing captain of the squad in 1986 and 1988. She has played in 38 USGA championships and competed in the 1950 U.S. Women's Open at age 14. Bell is a three-time Kansas State Women's Amateur Champion and is a member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.

Robertson, 1815 - 1859, a native of St. Andrews, Scotland, personifies what it was to be a professional during the previous era of golf. He is considered the premier ball and club maker of his time as well as the undisputed champion golfer of his age. It was said of Robertson that he never lost a match, especially when paired with his partner, Old Tom Morris, also a World Golf Hall of Fame member. Noted for his long, easy swing and outstanding short game, Robertson was the first to score below 80 on the Old Course at St. Andrews in 1858.

He was a direct descendant of Thomas Buddho, a noted "feathery" ball maker in St. Andrews during the early 1600s. His earliest playthings were small clubs, and he was seldom off the links. Old Tom Morris was apprenticed to Robertson as a ball maker. At that time, only two or three "featheries" could be produced by one man in a day's work. In addition to supplying local demand, balls were exported all over Britain and even to the colonies. In Robertson's best year approximately 2,500 balls were produced. The invention of the "guttie ball" eventually led to the end of the 100 year-old Robertson business.

Solheim, 1911 - 2000, a native of Bergen, Norway, is recognized as a pioneer in the golf club manufacturing business. He is the founder of Karsten Manufacturing Corp. and creator of PING golf clubs. His outstanding contributions are highlighted by the design of a new model putter in 1959, named PING for the sound it made at ball contact. The PING brand has grown into one of the most popular brands of putter. Solheim also developed perimeter-weight irons and introduced club fitting to the masses.

Throughout his life, Solheim was a supporter of the game of golf, including sponsorship of the PING Standard Register on the LPGA Tour. He gave women's golf an international presence in 1990 by sponsoring the Solheim Cup, a bienniel team match between the United States and Europe that was patterned after the Ryder Cup. Solheim' s contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the: PGA of America Ernie Sabayrac Award for Lifetime Contributions to the Golf Industry, 1996; LPGA Commissioner Award, 1994; Ford Achievement Award, 1999; National Golf Foundation Family of the Year, 1994; induction into the Arizona Golf Hall of Fame, 2000.

The World Golf Hall of Fame is located at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, and is a collaboration of 27 national and international golf organizations. The dramatic 75,000 square-foot building houses interactive displays, historic artifacts, a special exhibit gallery, an IMAX Theater and the Hall of Fame itself, which honors the game's greatest players and contributors.

As sole founding partner of World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays the lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.