Golf Digest writers claim multiple awards in GWAA's annual writing contest
Seven Golf Digest writers combined to earn six top-three awards over five categories as the Golf Writers Association of America announced the winners of its annual writing contest on Wednesday.
Jerry Tarde, Golf Digest’s long-time editor in chief, earned top honors in the Commentary/Analysis category for his column “The real score is Jack 20, Tiger 18,” which examined the historic argument for including the U.S. Amateur title in the count for career major championships. It was Tarde’s 10th career first-place honor and the fifth for commentary.
Golf Digest executive editor Max Adler won first place in the Enterprise division for his story “Masters treasures went missing, then FBI showed up,” an investigative report into the break-up of a theft ring targeting Augusta National memorabilia.
Other Golf Digest writers who earned recognition for their stories in 2025 included Senior Writer Joel Beall, who claimed second-place honors in the Game/News Story category for deadline story chronicling Rory McIlroy’s historic Masters win. He also garnered third-place recognition in the Long Profile category for his feature on Ryan Peake, a convicted gang member who qualified to play in last year’s Open Championship. Additionally, Beall won honorable mention honors for his Short Feature on the breakdown in negotiations between the PGA Tour and the PIF.
Beall also shared third-place honors with fellow Golf Digest writers Tod Leonard, Drew Powell and Mike Stachura in Enterprise reporting for their package of stories on the best little golf towns in America.
Dave Shedloski earned second-place honors in the Short Feature category for his story about Luke Donald and his successful second stint as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain.
A complete list of all the winners for all the publications can be found below. They will all be recognized at the 52nd annual ISPS Handa GWAA Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 8, at Augusta Country Club on the eve of the 90th Masters. Other honorees will include players of the year Scottie Scheffler (men), Jeeno Thitikul (women) and Stewart Cink (senior), plus Brandt Snedeker (Charlie Bartlett Award), Mark Rolfing (William D. Richardson Award), Bud Cauley (Ben Hogan Award) and Stacy Lewis (Jim Murray Award).
The PGA of America also will recognize Jeff Babineau posthumously with the association’s Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award and Matthew Harris with the Lifetime Achievement in Photojournalism.
GWAA Writing Contest
ENTERPRISE
1. Max Adler, Golf Digest: “Masters treasures went missing, then FBI showed up,” March 19
2. Adam Schupak, Golfweek: “Past legends left out of Tour equity,” July 1
3. Joel Beall, Tod Leonard, Drew Powell, Mike Stachura, Golf Digest: “The best little golf towns in America,” Sept. 1
HONORABLE MENTION: Jeff Shain, The Villages Daily Sun: “The Villages 40-year odyssey,” Nov. 2; John Hopkins, Lewine Mair, Ron Green Jr., Everett Munez, Mike Cullity, Scott Michaux, John Steinbreder, Global Golf Post: “Tiger 5.0,” Dec. 8
NEWS/GAME STORY
1. Gary D’Amato, Wisconsin.golf: “At long last, McIlroy caps grand career with Masters title,” April 14
2. Joel Beall, GolfDigest.com: “McIlroy, finally, is a Masters champ now and forever,” April 14
3. Brentley Romine, GolfChannel.com: “Luckiest man alive? It’s irrevocably J.J. Spaun,” June 15
HONORABLE MENTION: Alan Shipnuck, SkratchGolf.com: “J.J. Spaun, 64 feet and men in the sky,” June 16; Josh Berhow, Golf.com: “In hours after US Open, Spaun’s best moment was unscripted,” June 16
LONG PROFILE
1. Alan Shipnuck, SkratchGolf.com: “The shadows that follow Angel Cabrera,” June 10
2. Josh Berhow, Golf.com: “Rachel Heck didn’t need pro golf. She wanted something more,” March 31
3. Joel Beall, GolfDigest.com: “The Incredible story of Ryan Peake,” July 7
HONORABLE MENTION: Gabby Herzig, The Athletic: “Charley Hull’s Instagram tells a story,” Dec. 11; John Steinbreder, GlobalGolfPost.com: “Resolute voice,” Aug. 3; Adam Schupak, Golfweek.com: “Unbreakable bond: How Scottie Scheffler’s life changed from Ragan’s cancer fight,” April 6
SHORT PROFILE
2. Sean Zak, Golf.com: “She won 5 majors, then switched from righty to lefty,” May 28
3. Jeff Shain, The Villages Daily Sun: “Saunders comes full circle at Bay Hill,” March 9
HONORABLE MENTION: Ryan Lavner, GolfChannel.com: “Scottie Scheffler reminds golf world who’s No. 1,” May 19
SHORT FEATURE
1. Nick Piastowski, Golf.com: “A golf course marshal was dying. Then he felt his best friend’s paw,” Nov. 12
2. Dave Shedloski, GolfDigest.com: “Europe’s Captain Everything reaches legend status,” Sept. 28
3. Gary Van Sickle, TheFirstCall.com: “Why Fezler really wore shorts at the U.S. Open,” June 9
HONORABLE MENTION: Joel Beall, GolfDigest.com: “A stupid game of chicken: Inside the Tour/Saudi negotiation breakdown,” March 6; Lisa Mickey GlobalGolfPost.com: “Clinging to what remains,” Jan. 5; Gary Van Sickle, The-Golf-Show.com: “Getting up to Speed,” Oct. 25
LONG FEATURE
1. Michael Bamberger, Golf.com: “9/11 in New York City from Long Island club,” Sept. 11
2. Oliver Horovitz, Golf.com: “Bhutan might be world’s most pleasant golf destination,” Dec. 18
3. Michael Bamberger, Golf.com: “Tiger 2000 was best run ever,” May 24
HONORABLE MENTION: Tom Coyne, The Golfer’s Journal: “Perchance to dream,” June; Sean Zak, Golf.com: “What I learned playing 36 U.S. Open holes in 36 hours,” June 6
COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS
1. Jerry Tarde, GolfDigest.com: “The real score is Jack 20, Tiger 18,” Jan. 28
2. Gary Van Sickle, Memorial Tournament Magazine, “Let us pray,” June
T-3. Ron Green Jr., Global Golf Post: “Mickelson’s U.S. Open exit deserves its due,” June 12
T-3. Michael Bamberger, Golf.com: “Where Spaun really won the U.S. Open,” June 15
HONORABLE MENTION: Ron Green Jr., Global Golf Post: “McIlroy’s perseverance reaps grand reward,” April 14