Brian Thorburn Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia has congratulated PGA Member Adam Scott on receiving The Don at last night’s Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) function.

Scott was unanimously voted by the SAHOF selection committee as the 2013 winner of prestigious award, which celebrates the athlete whose achievements have most inspired the nation in the preceding 12 months.

Since it was first awarded in 1998, Scott is the first golfer to claim The Don.

"It’s been a history-making year for Adam Scott and on behalf of all our Members I congratulate him on this most recent achievement," said Thorburn today.

"Adam’s win at Augusta undoubtedly inspired a nation and has also provided our great game with many opportunities."

Adam will return to Australia in a couple of weeks to contest the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola from November 7-10, his first trip back to Australia since claiming Australia’s first green jacket.

He will then play the Talisker Masters, the ISPS HANDA World Cup and the Emirates Australian Open with the PGA expecting significant interest for the PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments.

"It’s going to be a huge celebration for Australian golf," said Thorburn.
"As a nation and also as an industry we’re all very proud of Adam’s achievements and we’re looking forward to giving him a champion’s welcome to the Gold Coast in a few weeks."

In April this year Scott ended 77 years of Australian heartache at Augusta with his thrilling playoff win at the Masters.

"I am humbled and honoured to have won this award and join many great champions before me," Scott said via video link at the SAHOF function last night.

"I’d like to congratulate the other finalists on their achievements this year and I’d like to thank the Sport Australia Hall of Fame for this honour."

Other finalists for The Don were rowing world champion Kim Crow, Test cricket captain Michael Clarke, wheelchair track and field athlete Kurt Fearnley, swimmer Cate Campbell, canoe world champion Jessica Fox and recent MotoGP retiree Casey Stoner.

Mark Taylor, Cathy Freeman, Pat Rafter and Cadel Evans are among the past recipients of The Don.