Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts

Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts

Chirkinian is considered an innovator in golf broadcasts thanks to things like using on-course reporters, blimp cameras and putting microphones throughout the course. Chirkinian, nicknamed "the Ayatollah," was the first to list a players' scores in relation to par rather than total number of strokes. The 84-year-old found out about his induction this year during the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and passed away three weeks later after Players Appear At Tim Tebow Charity Golf Event a battle with lung cancer. Before he died, Chirkinian taped an acceptance speech, which was played at Monday's ceremony. "I must admit that I have been known to be speechless now and again, but that's a rare thing to have happen," Chirkinian said in the video. "But tonight I am speechless." Chirkinian said he was "humbled" by the honor, which wouldn't have been possible without his talented CBS colleagues. "Looking back at a career that spanned 40 years, I'm amazed at how quickly those years have passed, a lot faster than I hoped they would," Chirkinian said. "I realized golf is more than just a game. It's a way of life."

Later in the ceremony, the Hall of Fame honored another golf great who died this year, Seve Ballesteros, who passed away early Saturday following a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 54 years old. Ballesteros, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, possessed unique charisma and shot-making ability, qualities on display in a tribute video played Monday. His 20-year career included 50 wins on the European Tour and nine victories on the PGA Tour. He won the British Open three times and the Masters twice. Ford won 19 PGA Tour titles, including the 1955 PGA Championship and the 1957 Masters. He played on four United States Ryder Cup teams and was PGA Player of the Year the year he won the PGA. Hutchinson was born in St. Andrews, Scotland and became an American citizen in 1920 when he was 36 years old. He became the first American citizen and first non United Kingdom based winner of the Open Championship in 1921. Hutchinson captured the 1920 PGA Championship and picked up 14 PGA Tour titles. He also won two Senior PGA Championships, including the inaugural one in 1937. Hutchinson passed away in 1977 at the age of 93.Ozaki, whose real name is Masashi, won 94 times on the Japan Tour, which is 40 more than the next closest competitor. He led that circuit's money list 12 times and his last victory came in 2002. Ozaki, 64, still plays some on the Japan Tour and despite rarely playing outside his homeland, he was ranked in the top 10 in the world rankings for almost 200 weeks.