Billy Horschel has been named the recipient of the 2025 Charlie Bartlett Award, recognizing his “unselfish contributions for the betterment of society” as a professional golfer. The 38-year-old and his wife Brittany established the Horschel Family Foundation, which has made significant impacts through multiple initiatives.
The foundation’s work includes supporting K9s for Warriors, a Florida-based program connecting service dogs with veterans. In partnership with the PGA Tour, they launched the innovative “PAR” Program (Privacy, Access, Resources) to address barriers preventing individuals from seeking mental health and addiction treatment. Horschel’s commitment to diversity in golf, particularly through his support and tournament hosting for the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA), was highlighted as a key factor in his selection.
“When you look at your life, some people get a better shake than other people, and I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve accomplished a lot of things and I’ve been able to be successful,” Horschel said. “One thing my wife, Brittany, and I have talked about from the very beginning was making sure we give back and help out people who aren’t nearly as fortunate. Those values were instilled in me by my parents. We didn’t grow up with a lot of money. One thing my parents showed me was we can help other people.”
The Bartlett Award, named after the Chicago Tribune’s longtime golf editor and first GWAA secretary, places Horschel in distinguished company alongside past recipients Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, and Patty Berg.
Additional 2025 GWAA Honors:
Ben Hogan Award: Chris Kirk, recognized for his resilience in golf despite personal challenges. Kirk took a sabbatical in 2019 to address alcohol abuse and depression, returning to win twice since regaining his Tour card in 2021, including the 2024 Sentry. He previously received the Tour’s Courage Award.
Jim Murray Award: Lydia Ko earned this recognition for her exceptional media cooperation following a career resurgence in 2024.
William D. Richardson Award: Joe Louis Barrow Jr., First Tee CEO, honored for expanding the program to over 1,200 golf courses, 9,000 schools, and 1,000-plus after-school locations.
The GWAA will also honor Scottie Scheffler, Nelly Korda and Ernie Els as the male, female and senior players of the year for 2024; columnist Lewine Mair for the PGA of America’s Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award; Fred Vuich, winner of the PGA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Photojournalism. The ceremony will be hosted during Masters week.
The Golf Writers Association of America, founded in 1946, is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit members organization, and the only American organization dedicated to the promotion and continued improvement of golf journalism.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
