Wood, Shute and Semple Thompson selected for Hall of Fame

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

EDINA, Minnesota (Reuters) - Former major winners Craig Wood and Denny Shute and multiple amateur champion Carol Semple Thompson have been voted on to the World Golf Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2008.

The three Americans, whose elections were announced on Tuesday during a news conference at Interlachen Country Club, will be inducted on November10 at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida.

Wood and Shute, along with U.S. golf writer Herbert Warren Wind, will be inducted posthumously.

Semple Thompson, winner of the 1973 U.S. women's amateur and the 1974 British Ladies open amateur titles, was delighted to be honored by the World Golf Hall of Fame in the buildup to this week's U.S. Women's Open.

"I certainly do not feel worthy of this but, at the same time, I'm loving every minute of it," the 59-year-old said after being selected in the Lifetime Achievement category. "How could I not?

"I'm also thrilled to be one of the top amateur players around today, maybe one of the older ones. But it's amazing that the Hall of Fame would choose to honor me for that. I'm humbled by the whole idea of it."

Semple Thompson, described by United States Golf Association executive director David Fay as the "first lady of women's amateur golf", represented her country on a record 12 Curtis Cup teams.

"QUINTESSENTIAL AMATEUR"

"Carol's life in golf is that of the quintessential amateur," Hall of Fame member and ambassador Carol Mann said in a statement.

"Her game is strong but her grace, humility, dedication and humor are her strongest assets. She has contributed with intelligence and integrity, preserving the best interests of the game of golf in each of her leadership roles."

Wood, whose career tally of 21 PGA Tour titles included the 1941 Masters and U.S. Open, was elected on the PGA Tour ballot.

Shute, winner of the 1933 British Open and the PGA Championship in 1936 and 1937, was chosen in the veterans' category by the World Golf Foundation (WGF) board of directors selection committee.

Wind, who wrote for The New Yorker from 1947 to 1953 and from 1960 to 1990, was selected in the Lifetime Achievement category. He is best known for coining the phrase "Amen Corner" to describe holes 11, 12 and 13 at Augusta National.

Further announcements are expected for the World Golf Hall of Fame's 2008 class of inductees later this year.

The World Golf Hall of Fame's voting body comprises Hall of Fame members, golf writers and historians, the WGF board of directors and members of the Hall of Fame's advisory board.

(Editing by John Mehaffey)