Jack Nicklaus recently called Tim Rosaforte to congratulate him on being named the recipient of this year’s Memorial Golf Journalism Award. The award was created to honor journalists who served their profession with conspicuous honor and made a major contribution and impact on golf journalism.
“It’s pretty surreal to have Jack call to tell you that you’ve won an award like that,” Rosaforte said. “I’ve known Jack for a long time, and it was an emotional moment. It means a lot to be honored at Jack’s tournament.”
Rosaforte, a longtime Jupiter resident, was one of golf’s original “insiders” during his four-decade career that included stops at the Palm Beach Post, Sports Illustrated and Golf World. The 65-year-old retired from the Golf Channel a year ago because he has early-onset Alzheimer’s.
“Tim has been a great friend for some 40 years,” Nicklaus said. “We first met at Oak Hill at the 1980 PGA Championship, and our paths have crossed countless times since. Tim is also one of this generation’s great golf journalists.
“He has developed relationships and trust from so many in the game, and you always know that if there was an important story to be told in golf, Tim was going to be the first call you received and usually the first one to report it.”
In late October, Rosaforte became the first journalist – and the 12th person overall – to receive Honorary Membership in the PGA of America. Rosaforte also received the PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism in 2014.
