Schaal and Turner Chosen for South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame
Columbia, S.C. – Longtime PGA member Gary Schaal and former LPGA player Sherri Turner have been chosen for induction into the South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame, President Frank Ford III announced August 10, 2020.
The honorees will become the shrine’s 73rd and 74th members in ceremonies during the South Carolina Golf Association’s annual Golf Day scheduled to be held at Columbia Country Club on January 9, 2021.
Schaal, a Murrells Inlet resident with wife Judie, has had a distinguished career as a golf professional and industry leader. Schaal grew up with a passion for the game at a young age. He earned a playing spot on the Ohio Wesleyan collegiate team from 1960-’63 holding title of captain in ’62 and ’63, the year he earned all-conference honors. The title of Captain would continue for Schaal as he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country from 1964-’73 valiantly, becoming Captain, as well as playing on the USAF Golf Team.
Upon being honorably discharged, Schaal became an assistant at Myrtle Beach National Golf Club. Continuing his service to the game and growth as a professional, Schaal was elected as a member of the Carolinas Section of the PGA of America in 1976 and instantly joined the CPGA as a Committee Member. Schaal served as a Board Member from 1980 until 1989 where he held the offices of Secretary, Treasurer and President of the CPGA from 1983-’85, his final year earning Carolinas PGA Professional of the Year. Via his success in the Carolinas Section, Schaal was selected to the PGA of America Board of Directors in 1987. In a few short years, he became the 28th President of the PGA of America in 1993-’94 and then elected to the CPGA Hall of Fame in 1995.
Other accolades for Schaal include membership in the Carolinas Golf, PGA of America, Myrtle Beach Golf and Ohio Wesleyan University Halls of Fame. Schaal’s contributions and legacy don’t stop at the professional level. He has also served as a golf course owner, helping start and manage multiple clubs, started the Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Association, been on the Board of the local The First Tee program as well as many other entities including, Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, National Golf Foundation, Genes Dream and Project Golf.
Joining Schaal in this year’s class is current Phoenix, AZ resident and former South Carolinian Sherri Turner. Turner was influenced by her parents at an early age to learn the game and thus started what would become an illustrious career as a junior, amateur and professional. Turner earned the 1974 and 1975 title of Carolinas Junior Girls Champion as well as the South Carolina Highschool Champion. She then enrolled at Furman University and instantly became an NCAA National Champion in 1976 playing alongside teammates Beth Daniel and Betsy King. Turner won three tournaments during her collegiate career, was selected as a 1979 All American and joined the Furman Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.
It took Turner a few efforts, however, hard work and determination paid off when she earned her LPGA Tour Card in 1983 for the ’84 season. Having a few top-10 finishes in her first four years on Tour, 1988 was Turner’s breakout year. She won the 1988 Women’s PGA Championship and then again the following week where she shot a career best round of 63. Turner was named the 1988 LPGA Player of the Year and finished tops on the money list. In total, Turner had three LPGA Tour victories and 68 top-10 finishes, seven holes-in-one and earned nearly $3 million during her 23-year professional career.
Following her LPGA career, Turner won three Legends Tour events, a Tour she was co-founder of. Turner also served on the LPGA Executive Committee from 1997-’99, was on the Board of Directors for the Legends Tour and selected as a member of the Tour’s Hall of Fame in 2018. Other accolades include being the inaugural member of the Nutrasweet Hall of Fame, won the 1997 William and Mousie Powell Award which recognizes a player ‘whose behavior and deeds best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and values of the LPGA’ by her peers. Turner now volunteers for the Marilynn Smith Charity Pro Am in Arizona each year to generate revenues for scholarships and is dedicated to helping animals because of her love and affection for them.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are scheduled to be held January 9th at Columbia Country Club. A limited number of tickets will be available. For information, contact the South Carolina Golf Association at 803-732-9311 or info@scgolf.org.