Beginning with the Class of 2015, the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum will be changing the process and criteria for an in an individual to be inducted.

The induction process, which will now be every two years, will be governed by a selection commission made up of 16 individuals who will be responsible for electing candidates. Each inductee will need at least 75 percent of the vote to be inducted.

The 16 members will be made up of four co-chairs who will serve two-year terms, nine institutional seats consisting of World Golf Foundation directors, and three at-large seats, who also will serve two-year terms.

“This is the new selection process,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. “We do anticipate additional changes with the Hall of Fame designed to integrate activity with our Hall of Fame members more effectively and also to more effectively reach out reach out to fans around around the globe and tell the story of what the Hall of Fame represents and why people should be interested in the great careers of our Hall of Fame inductees.”

The selection commission is co-chaired by current Hall of Fame members Nancy Lopez, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Annika Sorenstam.

A selection sub-committee will oversee the process and is responsible for submitting finalists for consideration to the selection commision.

“I’m happy to be a part of this,” said Arnold Palmer. “The new process in mind will set up the Hall of Fame for long-term success.”

There will now be four categories under which an individual may be considered for induction: male and female competitor categories and the Veterans and Lifetime Achievement categories.

The criteria for the male and female competitor categories are as follows: Players must be at least 40 years old at the start of the year, must have a cumulative total of 15 or more victories on the approved tours, or at least two victories in the various major championships.

To be considered for selection in the Veterans category a players competitive career must have primarily occurred prior to 1975, with no minimum win criterion. Amateurs and professionals will be eligible.

To be considered for selection in the Lifetime Achievement category, an individual must have contributed to the game significantly in areas outside of the competitive arena.

“The changes to the process and induction ceremony will serve the long-term interest of the institution well,” said Jack Peter, Chief Operating Officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. “The changes take the unique nature of the game and its candidates into account and, most important, will continue to allow the Hall of Fame to recognize worthy individuals.”

(Taken from March 26, 2014 issue)