Dennis Walters (born September 14, 1949) is an American trick-shot golfer. He won the Bob Jones Award in 2018 and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame with the class of 2019.
In 1967, Walters won the New Jersey Junior Championship, Public Links Junior Championship, and Caddie Championship.[6] At the time, Walters was the first golfer to win all three New Jersey amateur tournaments.[7] In 1971, he participated at the U.S. Amateur and came in eleventh place.[8]
Walters began his professional career in 1971 after graduating from North Texas. After failing to earn a Tour card at the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in 1972, Walters began golfing on the South African Tour.[1] In July 1974, Walters had finished playing on the South African Tour before becoming paralyzed in a golf cart accident. At the time of his accident, Walters was working at the Wykagyl Country Club.[9]
As a wheelchair golfer, Walters continued to play golf in 1975 and had a customized golf cart made for him.[3] Walters decided to perform wheelchair trick shots after he was inspired by golfers Paul Hahn Jr. and Joe Kirkwood Sr.[7] His first event was at the 1977 PGA Merchandise Show and he appeared in a 1979 episode of That's Incredible!.[10]
^Edelson, Stephen (April 10, 2018). "Edelson: For paralyzed golfer Dennis Walters, Bob Jones Award fitting honor". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved October 13, 2018. That's why the United States Golf Association's decision to tap Neptune native Dennis Walters as the recipient of the 2018 Bob Jones Award, the sport's highest honor, is so important.... Walters, who played at Neptune High School and North Texas State, and lives in Jupiter, Florida, will spend a month this summer performing shows in the Philadelphia area.
United States
