The prestigious award annually recognizes an individual who best demonstrates the spirit, personal character and respect for the game exhibited by Jones
Bob Lewis always exhibited the highest level of sportsmanship, which endeared him to teammates and opponents alike during a competitive career that spanned more than four decades. The native of Warren, Ohio, demonstrated an appreciation for the spirit of the game by showing grace in both victory and defeat. He never wavered in his personal accountability on, or off the course. 
Lewis joins an elite list of past recipients of this distinguished award; Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Mickey Wright, Nancy Lopez, President George H.W. Bush and Se Ri Pak are all previous award winners.
“I am so deeply humbled to receive this award,” said Lewis. “To be included among such a special group of influential figures in the game, who I love and respect moves me beyond words. The USGA has played such an important role in my life. Many of my fondest memories in amateur golf come from representing our country as both a player and captain of the USA Walker Cup Team. Bob Jones was the ultimate amateur and I am truly honored to be included in his company.”
Lewis’ mother taught him the game of golf, but in high school, he was a stand-out athlete in baseball and football. While enrolled at Rollins College, he dedicated himself to golf and enjoyed a full life in the game.
After winning the 1968 Ohio Amateur, he tried professional golf for five years, notching one professional win. Being a tour professional did not suit him and he regained his amateur status in 1978.
Since then, Lewis has been one of the most dominant amateur golfers of his era.
He finished runner-up in three USGA National Championships. He lost the final match to Hal Sutton in the 1980 U.S. Amateur to Hal Sutton and also finished second in the 1981 and 1984 U.S. Mid-Amateurs.
He was a member of four consecutive winning U.S. Walker Cup teams, 1981-1987 and compiled a 10-4 record.
He competed on the 1982 and 1986 Eisenhower Trophy teams, was medalist for the stroke play portion of the 1984 U.S. Mid-Amateu and qualified for three U.S. Opens, 1978, 1983 and 1986.
He had an equally impressive senior record, most recently winning the Ohio Senior Amateur Hall of Fame Classic in 2010.
In 1981, during a practice round for the prestigious amateur tournament the Crump Cup at Pine Valley, Lewis fired a 64, which still stands as the course record today.
Lewis also played in seven Masters Tournaments, making the cut three times and was the low amateur in 1989, the year Larry Mize chipped in to win over Greg Norman.
Lewis also captained two Walker Cup Teams. He was on the losing end of things in 2003 at the Ganton Club in Yorkshire, England, but the 2005 team defeated GB&I at the Chicago Golf Club. That 2005 team included several future PGA Tour winners including, Anthony Kim, Billy Hurley III, Matt Every, Brian Harman, J.B. Holmes, Jeff Overton, Michael Putnam, Kyle Reifers, Nicholas Thompson and Lee Williams.
Lewis dominated local Ohio amateur events. He was inducted into the Ohio Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2002, the Northern Ohio Amateur Golf Hall of Fame in 2003 and the National Senior Hall of Fame in 2018.
Though it all, he volunteered as the Head Golf Coach for Gilmour Academy and instilled the virtues of etiquette and respect for the game. He has served on various community boards in Northeast Ohio and was a tireless fund raiser for local charities.
Lewis served as president and CEO of Welded Tubes, until the company was sold in 2016.
Now 76 years old, he has been battling health issues, which prevented him from captaining the U.S. Team in the 2018 Concession Cup.
Bob Lewis is a legend in Ohio, as well as, nationally and competed at the highest levels of amateur golf throughout his life. Through it all, he maintained the highest standards of sportsmanship and was a gentleman in victory or defeat.
Lewis is to receive the award during the 48th Walker Cup Match to be held at Seminole Golf Club in May.
We applaud the USGA’s decision to honor someone, who is not a big name on the national golf scene, but has led a exemplary life in golf and honored the Bobby Jones mantra.
