I still remember exactly where I was that day in October 1999. Standing behind the counter in the Winter Park Golf Course pro shop, my duties as a young Assistant Professional were momentarily forgotten as the TV broadcast cut to breaking news. The images on the screen seemed impossible to process—a private jet had lost cabin pressure and was flying on autopilot across the country. On board was Payne Stewart.

As the tragedy unfolded throughout that day, the golf world collectively held its breath, hoping against hope for a miracle that never came. When the news finally broke that the plane had crashed with no survivors, I felt a hollowness that I know was shared by millions of golf fans around the world. We hadn’t just lost a champion; we’d lost one of the game’s true originals.

Payne Stewart wasn’t just a golfer. His trademark plus-fours, tam-o’-shanter hat, and colorful outfits made him a walking tribute to the game’s rich traditions. His style was unmistakable, but his character truly set him apart. Behind those knickers and that mischievous smile was a fierce competitor who captured three major championships, including two U.S. Opens.

Like countless fans, Payne was one of my favorites. His fun-loving personality masked an intense competitive fire. He could needle his opponents mercilessly one moment and console them in defeat the next. He was evolving too – from the brash young star to a more mature champion who had found deeper meaning in faith and family. His final victory pose at Pinehurst, one leg extended with fist punched toward the sky after sinking that 15-footer to defeat Phil Mickelson, remains one of golf’s most iconic images.

After one of the game’s most tragic losses, a champion’s life cut short at just 42 years old, the PGA TOUR created something beautiful – the Payne Stewart Award. Established in 2000, this award has become one of golf’s highest honors, celebrating those who embody the values Stewart came to represent: character, charity, and sportsmanship. The award specifically recognizes players who share in the respect for the traditions of the game that Payne had, his commitment to giving, and his sportsmanship.

The list of past recipients reads like a who’s who of golf’s greatest ambassadors. From Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus to more recent winners like Justin Rose (2021), Billy Andrade (2022), and Gary Koch (2023), each honoree has demonstrated the character that makes golf special. The 2024 recipient, Brandt Snedeker, exemplifies these qualities through his consistent sportsmanship, charitable endeavors, and profound respect for the game’s traditions.

The award itself is a sculpture depicting Stewart. Along with this sculpture, recipients receive a significant charitable contribution from Southern Company, the award’s sponsor. This donation is directed to the recipient’s charity of choice and includes additional contributions to Payne and Tracey Stewart’s primary charity, The Stewart Family Foundation, and the First Tee of the Ozarks.

Throughout the years, the Payne Stewart Award has benefited countless charitable organizations, reflecting the diverse philanthropic interests of its recipients. These have included efforts focused on children’s health, education, disaster relief, and growing the game of golf in communities that traditionally have limited access to the sport.

As we look ahead to the 2025 Payne Stewart Award announcement, which will come during the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta this August, I’m reminded of how this award has kept Payne’s spirit alive in the game. It ensures that new generations of golfers and fans who never saw him play will understand what he meant to golf.

Just over twenty-five years after his passing, Payne Stewart’s legacy continues to shape the game. Through this award, his impact extends far beyond his three major championships and 11 PGA TOUR victories, reminding us all that how we play the game—and how we conduct ourselves beyond it—matters as much as what we shoot. In a sport often defined by numbers, Payne Stewart showed us that character counts most of all.

Golf Gratitude: Your weekly dose of good vibes from the golf world is my new weekly look at the feel-good stories happening in golf. Why? Because we all need a little dose of good vibes occasionally.

Reader, please support me by checking out my three weekly columns on RG.org. On Mondays, I present “The Starter,” which recaps the week gone by in golf. On Thursdays, I give you “Fairway Focus,” which previews the week to come in golf. And on Saturdays, I dish up the “Weekend Fore-cast,” a look at what’s on tap for the upcoming weekend.