New York, NY (Feubruary 23, 2025) – GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com, the preeminent media destinations in the world of golf, are pleased to announce that they have been prominently recognized by the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), with five of their creators honored in six different categories in this year’s GWAA Writing Contest.
Michael Bamberger, one of the industry’s most respected writers, added two first-place honors to his list of illustrious achievements. The longtime GOLF journalist received the award for best Long Feature for his work “9/11 in New York City from Long Island club” about National Golf Links caddie Kevin Williams on the 24th anniversary of his death in the terrorist attacks. GOLF.com, which compiled eight top-three spots overall, earned a 1-2-3 sweep in the category as Oliver Horovitz’s “Bhutan might be world’s most pleasant golf destination” and Bamberger’s “Tiger 2000 was best run ever” followed in second and third place, respectively.
Bamberger also received the top honor in the Short Profile category for his work on the life of the late Fuzzy Zoeller entitled “RIP, Fuzzy, a man in full” and added another third-place honor in the Commentary/Analysis division.
The first-place prizes raised Bamberger’s career total to 12 and marked the third consecutive year that he was awarded with at least one of the top GWAA honors.
Nick Piastowski earned the other first-place honor for GOLF.com in the Short Feature category, for his story “A golf course marshal was dying. Then he felt his best friend’s paw” about Hank Ford, a Marine and Army veteran whose recovery from PTSD was aided by golf and his life saving 3-year-old yellow lab.
Sean Zak received second-place honors in the Short Profile category for “She won 5 majors, then switched from righty to lefty”, as well as an Honorable Mention in the Long Feature category for “What I learned playing 36 U.S. Open holes in 36 hours”.
Josh Berhow earned second-place honors in the Long Profile category for “Rachel Heck didn’t need pro golf. She wanted something more” and also received an Honorable Mention in the News/Game Story category for “In hours after US Open, Spaun’s best moment was unscripted”.
“I could not be more proud of our immensely talented group of writers and of the amazing honors that were bestowed upon them by the Golf Writers Association of America,” said Jason Adel, CEO of GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. “Nick Piastowski, Sean Zak, Josh Berhow and our stalwart Michael Bamberger are among the best in the business, and are all richly deserving of these awards.”
In print and online, GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com continue to elevate their status as the go-to destinations for the highest-quality coverage of all things golf. The magazine, website and its many digital extensions inform, educate and entertain golf’s largest audience through a commitment to making the game more fun.
“It is with great pride that I congratulate our fine writers, editors, and the entire team who make GOLF magazine and GOLF.com the premier destination for education, product information and editorial content,” Howard Milstein, GOLF’s publisher and Chairman of 8AM Golf said. “We are honored by these awards, and look forward to continuing our success in the years to come.”
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. The GWAA includes members across all disciplines and career levels and is dedicated to helping members advance careers, build connections and celebrate the ever-changing industry.
The GWAA Writing Contest winners will be officially recognized at the 52nd annual ISPS Handa GWAA Awards Dinner on Wednesday, April 8, at Augusta Country Club on the eve of the 90th Masters Tournament.
About GOLF and GOLF.com
GOLF Magazine, GOLF.com, and its associated digital, video and social media platforms, are the premier media brand for all things golf. GOLF Magazine reaches an audience of 4.2 million people, while more than 6 million people engage with the brand across our GOLF.com and GOLF social channels. GOLF’s celebrated franchise includes the GOLF Top 100 Courses (including World and U.S. editions); GOLF’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play; GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers in America; the GOLF Fix Finder app; and GOLF Films productions. With innovative content covering equipment, instruction, travel and lifestyle, GOLF is the definitive voice of the sport on and off the course, dedicated to enhancing every golfer’s enjoyment of the game.
About 8AM Golf
8AM Golf was established by businessman, philanthropist and golf entrepreneur Howard Milstein as the holding company that oversees his golf businesses—all of which are dedicated to helping golfers at every level enjoy the game more. Renowned entertainer and golf enthusiast Justin Timberlake partnered with 8AM golf in 2020 and is now leading creative initiatives across the 8AM portfolio of companies.
In addition to GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com, current 8AM companies include legendary handmade club maker Miura Golf; True Spec Golf, the leading brand-agnostic club-fitting company; Club Conex, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of adjustable golf club adapter systems; Fairway Jockey, which provides golfers with the ability to buy custom clubs online; 3’s, which combines a fun atmosphere and top-notch hospitality with a quality par-3 course and putting area; T-Squared Social (in partnership with Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake), a dynamic new concept in food, drink and sports entertainment; Bounty Club (in collaboration with Justin Timberlake), an exclusive 18-hole golf course project near downtown Nashville, and Chirp, a free-to-play gaming app that lets golfers virtually wager on the outcome of pro golf tournaments, rounds, and shots.
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