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By Matt Cizek/Contributor     Since 1984, the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame has been adding new members.
Recently, this hallowed hall of golf welcomed five more individuals – with one being a familiar face known by all who play golf at Winchester Country Club — on Thursday, Dec. 9 at the Griffin Gate Marriott in Lexington.
Bobby Baldwin, long-time PGA professional of nearly 50 years, was welcomed as an inductee with the Class of 2021. It comes after a lifetime of tutelage and guiding other golfers in their aspirations.
Baldwin said he is humbled by the recognition.
“Great event — something that I’ll treasure forever,” he said. “Golly, we had 70 people in the room from Winchester — rocked the house and took over the room when it came to the induction ceremony. Tremendous support for the club’s membership and my peers who were there that night. It’s very humbling to have been nominated but also selected. It’s sort of the culmination of everything I’ve done for the past 44 years at Winchester Country Club. It’s extremely gratifying to have the type of support in the house at that event.”
From teaching basic skills for beginning golfers to helping young students find scholarship opportunities, Baldwin has seen growth within his youth through the years. Also, by developing skills for other players in areas such as improving the short game, adding 10 yards, and so much more, other experienced golfers have reaped the rewards from Bobby’s dedication to the game. As a result, numerous PGA professionals and superintendents who’ve gained experience and knowledge working with Baldwin have become award-winning and prestigious in their own games.
Winchester Sun had to ask Baldwin what he shot back in the day when he was penciling in his scorecard. Baldwin replied that the care for the golf course was his main focus.
“Hard to say because when I’d start playing, maybe get nine holes in, I’d see something on the course that needed my attention,” said Baldwin, 75, who has been working at the country club for 44 years. “I’d stop playing and take care of that. But long before that, back when I was playing, I was in the upper 60s a few times at Winchester.”
Just ten years ago, in 2011, Baldwin was honored with the Kentucky PGA Section’s Golf Professional of the Year Award.
It’s a pair of accomplishments likely unforeseen when he first started working at Winchester Country Club in 1975 as the Head Golf Professional and Director of Golf, while he has also served as Superintendent. This occurred just one year after being given his prestigious PGA membership.
Baldwin was at a loss for words when reflecting on his most recent induction into Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame.
“The main thing is it’s extremely humbling to not only have been nominated by your peers to that position but to have weaved your way through a committee from people made up from walks of life to being selected. It’s one thing to be nominated — that’s humbling — but to be appreciated by being inducted — that’s special.”
Baldwin is not the only nominee to make up this year’s list. He’ll be joined by the likes of Jimmy Kirchendorfer, Margaret Jones, former St. Xavier High School coach Marty Donlon, and the late Walter Cisco.
Just as well, due to last year’s in-person event being canceled due to COVID-related reasons, 2020 honorees Ernie Denham and Dave Nicholas will also be celebrated.