Judy Bell named winner of golf’s 2016 Bob Jones Award

Wichita native Judy Bell has been named recipient of the 2016 Bob Jones Award.

The Bob Jones Award is given to a person who exhibits spirit, character and respect for golf.

Bell was the first female U.S. Golf Association president (1996-97) and has been dedicated to growing the game.

“Tom O'Toole called me the other night and we chatted a while,” Bell told the LPGA’s website Thursday. “Then he told me that I was going to get the Bob Jones Award. I was floored and in denial. Tom is a great friend and finally convinced me it was real. I'm honored beyond words.”

Bell is a 2001 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee, and last year was named an honorary member of the Royal and Ancient Club of St. Andrews, Scotland.

A ceremony for the award will occur during the U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) on June 14.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 4:33 PM with the headline "Judy Bell named winner of golf’s 2016 Bob Jones Award."