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The Late Karsten Solheim Wins Writers Award

Robert Allenby and the late Karsten Solheim have been honored by the Golf Writers Association of America, the former for coming back from serious injury and the latter for his vast contributions to the game.

Allenby, 29, won the Ben Hogan Award, given annually to an individual who has continued to be active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness. Allenby was seriously injured in a car accident in 1996, and recovered to win twice on the PGA Tour last year.

Solheim, who died in February of complications related to Parkinson's disease, won the William D. Richardson Award for contributions to golf.

He was a pioneer in technology, starting with the Ping putters that were the backbone of Karsten Manufacturing Corp. and Ping Golf. He was the first to create perimeter-weighted clubs, cavity-back irons and other equipment advances.

Allenby and Solheim will be honored April 4 in Augusta, Ga., at the GWAA's annual awards dinner. Also being honored are Tiger Woods, Karrie Webb and Larry Nelson as players of the year on their respective tours.

January 8, 2001