Liberty Corner, New Jersey, United States: The United States Golf Association (USGA) is seeking nominations from the global golf community for the 2020 Bob Jones Award, the highest honour annually bestowed by the organisation.

Presented since 1955, the Bob Jones Award highlights the most noteworthy demonstrations of sportsmanship in golf, and celebrates those individuals who, in the spirit of its namesake, have displayed character, integrity and respect while playing the game.

Beyond his playing career – with a record-tying nine USGA championship titles – Jones embodied the game’s values throughout his life.

“The recipients of this award ultimately tell the story of what greatness truly means, and better than we could describe,” said Mike Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the USGA.

“These people are the gold standard for character, whose values exemplify all that is good in golf. These people should be celebrated at the highest level, and their stories need to be told,” he added.

Nomination letters can be sent to the USGA via email to bobjonesaward@usga.org. The correspondence should include support for the submission that references the above award criteria. The deadline for receipt is October 25.

The USGA is opening nominations to the entire golf community for the first time in an effort to elevate deserving candidates who might otherwise have gone unrecognised and to draw greater awareness of the process.

Notable past recipients of the Bob Jones Award include Francis Ouimet, Babe Zaharias, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Peggy Kirk Bell, Nancy Lopez, Nick Price, Payne Stewart, Annika Sorenstam and Lee Elder.

The 2020 recipient will be announced in January and will be formally honoured during the week of the 120th US Open Championship (June 15-21), at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.