August has been a really good month for Brandt Snedeker. Not only will the nine-time PGA TOUR champion serve as Ryder Cup vice-captain for next year’s matches at Bethpage Black, but it was also announced he is this year’s recipient of the 2024 Payne Stewart Award celebrating character, charity and sportsmanship.
This award, presented by Southern Company, was first given out in 2000, the year after Stewart’s untimely passing, with the initial honor being given to Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Each year since, the award has been given to one PGA TOUR player in recognition of his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving. With each award, Southern Company alongside the PGA of America donates to three charities: The Stewart Family Foundation, the First Tee of the Ozarks, and an organization of the recipient’s choice.
“It’s an amazing honor and privilege to be a recipient of this award,” says Snedeker, 43, who is the 27th TOUR player to receive the honor. “With my family being from Springfield, Missouri, Payne’s hometown, he was my favorite golfer growing up, and to have my name on this trophy is unbelievable.”
Snedeker, who was born in Nashville, Tennessee, earned Rookie of the Year honors his first year on TOUR in 2007, and has since won nine PGA TOUR championships and the 2012 PGA Tour FedExCup Championship. It was also in 2012 that he and his wife Mandy launched the Snedeker Foundation, which supports both social and athletic youth programs across Middle Tennessee.
The Snedeker Foundation also partners with the Tennessee Golf Foundation to operate the Sneds Tour, a year-round junior golf tour that makes the game more accessible by providing lower entry and registration fees for more than 150 events. Through the Tennessee Golf Foundation, the Snedeker Foundation also funded a practice facility for Nashville Christian School, which also serves students at the Tennessee School for the Blind.
“Brandt Snedeker exemplifies everything the Payne Stewart Award represents,” says PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “As one of our game’s most respected players, Brandt has displayed a steadfast commitment to using his platform to better the lives of so many families in his home state of Tennessee. He and Mandy have worked tirelessly to build their family foundation and establish opportunities for children on and off the golf course, and it’s inspiring to know those efforts will continue for years to come.”
“When you’re recognized for an award like this, it means not only are you a good player, but you’re a good person,” says Snedeker, who will receive the award August 27 at 7 p.m. ET in a live broadcast on The Golf Channel. “This was one of my dreams and it came true.”
