Columnist Peter Benton: Watson takes honor named for Stewart

Peter Benton

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

We, and by that I mean all avid golfers, are fully aware that at this time of year many awards are given out to achievers extraordinaire.

It goes without saying that one of the most prestigious -- if not the most -- is that of Player of the Year, which is to be announced Dec. 8, (my bet here is another repeat for Tiger Woods).

Winning the money title as Vijay Singh has is certainly another sought after honor.

However, the ultimate prize each and every golfer on tour would dearly love, is the Payne Stewart award.

Earlier this month the PGA Tour announced this year's recipient was Tom Watson.

The award was created by the PGA Tour Policy Board to perpetuate the memory of Stewart, an 11-time winner (three majors) on Tour.

Stewart died in an air accident the week of The Tour Championship in 1999.

The award is presented annually to a player sharing Stewart's respect for the traditions of the game, his commitment to uphold the game's heritage of charitable support along with the meticulous presentation of himself and the sport through his dress and conduct.

The Tour presented the inaugural Payne Stewart Award in 2000 to Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Ben Crenshaw was the recipient in 2001, and last year Nick Price was honored.

Besides a sculpture of Stewart presented to Watson, the award also comes with a $300,000 grant that will support several initiatives in Stewart's names. Watson will choose a charity of his choice to receive $100,000.

Johson won the money title ( $494,882) en route to two tournaments titles. He finished first in four of the Tour's statistical categories.

Johnson was a picture of consistency all season, having played in 20 events and finishing in the top 25 16 times. Besides his two victories, he was runner-up four times and finished third on three occasions.

Next year, Johnson will be on the PGA Tour, where he has only played four times in his career, making one cut. That came at the 2002 BellSouth Classic, where he tied for 17th.

In the final standings, Singh finished 222.5 points ahead of Stuart Appleby, who placed second with 220. Last year, Singh won the Fall Finish with 235 points.

Appleby won $300,000 for his runner-up finish, while Tiger Woods and his 185.2 points won $200,000 for third.