Bob Sowards and Gary Taylor to be inducted into the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame in August.
The Hall of Fame was founded in 1992. Former members include, Jack Nicklaus, Bob Hope, Tammie Green, John Cook and Ben Curtis among others. The induction ceremony will be held at Plum Brook Country Club, in Sandusky, Monday, August 1.
Bob Sowards
Long time PGA teaching professional, Bob Sowards has played in 41 PGA Tour events including 11 PGA Championships and was a member of the PGA Tour in 2008. He has also played in 76 Korn Ferry Tour events and was a member of the Korn Ferry tour in 1998, 2004, 2009.
Sowards was PGA National Club Professional Player of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014 and PGA National Club Professional Champion in 2004. He has continued to win big events as a senior golfer. He was the PGA National Senior Club Professional Player of the Year in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and was PGA’s National Senior Club Professional Champion in 2018. Sowards is an 18-time PGA of America Southern Ohio Section Player of the Year and won the Southern Ohio PGA Section Championship ten times. Sowards has won three Ohio Open Championships and three Senior Ohio Open Championships. He was the Co-Champion of the AA Ohio High School State Championship in 1986 and is a member of the Southern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame.
Gary Taylor
Gary Taylor attended Lakewood High School and continued his education at Eastern Kentucky University. He has been married to his wife, Linda (McGill) Taylor for 46 years. A Vietnam veteran he served in the Army 1967-1970.
Taylor began his career in golf in 1974 at Tates Creek Golf Club, while he was still a student. He served as an Assistant Professional under PGA member Don Shock at Columbus Country Club. In 1978 he became the Assistant Professional at Marietta Country Club under Bernie Wentis.
Taylor got his first Head Professional job at Miami Shores Golf Club in 1979 and continued through the 1980 season before moving onto Marysville Country Club. He was Head Professional at Oakhurst Country Club, 1985-1986.
In December 1986, Taylor was hired as the Head Golf Professional at Columbus Country Club following the retirement of Shock and remained the Head Golf Professional for the next 27 years until his retirement in 2013. Following his retirement Columbus Country Club named their Annual Member Guest, The Taylor Cup.
During his 37 years as an active PGA member, Taylor served the Southern Ohio PGA Board holding the positions of Secretary, Vice President, and President. He also held the positions of Vice President and President for the Columbus chapter of the Southern Ohio PGA. He served on the PGA’s National Board of Directors from 1993-1995. Taylor is a four-time Horton Smith Award Winner for continuing education and twice was named Southern Ohio PGA Professional of the Year.
Since retirement Taylor has served as a starter and official for Ohio Golf Association Championships and Society of Seniors Championships. Taylor is a member of the Southern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame.
For more information regarding the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame, or the Ohio Senior Amateur Hall of Fame Tournament, contact the Ohio Golf Association at 614-698-0014.
