Padgett and Eger to Be Inducted into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2025

Southern Pines, N.C. — The Carolinas Golf Association is excited to announce that Don Padgett II and David Eger will be inducted into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame in 2025. The induction ceremony will take place on March 22, 2025, at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina. 

Register Here
for the 2025 Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
at Pinehurst Country Club on March 22, 2025

Don Padgett II: A Legacy of Leadership and Excellence in Golf 

The Padgett name has long been associated with Pinehurst Resort. For those who have visited Pinehurst Resort, the Padgett Learning Center is a prominent reminder of the family’s impact on the game. 

Don Padgett II, son of Donald Padgett Sr. — the former Director of Golf at Pinehurst, past president of the PGA of America, and a 2006 inductee into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame — followed in his father’s footsteps in shaping the future of Pinehurst. Padgett II served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Pinehurst Resort and Country Club from 2004 to 2014. Under his leadership, the resort hosted several prestigious events, including the 2005 U.S. Open, the 2008 U.S. Men’s Amateur Championship, and the 2014 U.S. Open Championships. 

“Padgett’s visionary leadership was especially evident during the 2014 U.S. Open when he played a key role in the restoration of Pinehurst No. 2, returning the course to its historic roots,” said Pinehurst President Tom Pashley. “This restoration not only earned Pinehurst the Green Star Award for Outstanding Environmental Practices by Golf Digest, but it also ensured that Pinehurst No. 2 remains one of the most sought-after courses for golfers of all generations.” 

Padgett’s own golfing accolades began long before his tenure in the Carolina sandhills. A native of New Castle, Indiana, Padgett played collegiate golf at Indiana University, where he was a two-time All-American, a Big Ten individual champion in 1969 and a member of the Big Ten Championship team in 1970. Other on-course accolades include Indiana Amateur champion, two-time Indiana Open champion, two-time Indiana PGA Section champion, four-time Northern Ohio PGA champion, Ohio Open champion and World Golf Hall of Fame Champion.  

Padgett was a member of the PGA TOUR from 1972-74, competing in three U.S. Opens and eight PGA Championships, making the cut four times and was the low club professional three times. He represented the United States on four PGA Cup teams in 1976, 1981, 1982 and 1984. His most thrilling round of professional golf came during the 1977 U.S. Open at Southern Hills Country Club, where he shot a tournament-low 4-under-par 66 in the third round, paired with Lee Trevino. 

“Throughout my many years working with Don, I have seen firsthand his visionary leadership and remarkable passion for the game,” said Jim Hyler, former USGA President and 2019 Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame inductee. “His knowledge, playing ability, and respect for golf, combined with his unparalleled leadership at Pinehurst, make him an invaluable figure in the golf community.” 

Before joining Pinehurst, Padgett was the Vice President and General Manager of Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, for 25 years. His legacy includes being inducted into several halls of fame, including the Indiana Golf Hall of Fame, Ohio Golf Hall of Fame, and Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was named Golfweek Magazine’s Father of the Year. 

“This award was not one l was expecting,” said Padgett. “To have my name placed among the previous honorees is humbling.  Golf is part of the fabric of the Carolinas, and I consider it a great honor to be included in The Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame." 

David Eger: A Champion on the Course and in Golf Administration 

David Eger’s induction into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame is a testament to his exceptional contributions both as a player and an administrator.  

“I’m honored and humbled to be selected to be in the CGA Hall of Fame,” Eger said. “The CGA has always been near and dear to my heart having grown up in Charlotte. Starting in the junior ranks in the mid 1960’s allowed me to learn and appreciate sportsmanship within competition. And, having former CGA Executive Secretaries P.J. Boatwright, Jr. and Clyde Mangum, Jr. as mentors during my administrative career only multiplies my fondness for the CGA.” 

Eger’s list of amateur achievements is impressive, including winning the 1988 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship and several other prestigious titles, such as the Men’s North & South Amateur (1991, 2000), George L. Coleman Amateur Invitational (1995, 1999), Walter J. Travis Invitational (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001), Azalea Invitational champion (1999, 2000) and George A. Crump Memorial Tournament (1992, 1998). He won two CGA championships including the 1971 Carolinas Father-Son Championship and the 1973 Carolinas Four-Ball Championship and was a semifinalist in the 1969 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and the 1990 and 2000 U.S. Amateur Championships. He also represented the United States in multiple Walker Cup teams (1989, 1991, 2001).  

Eger’s collegiate golf journey began at the University of North Carolina and later continued at East Tennessee State University. He turned professional in 1978 and played in 58 PGA TOUR events before transitioning to a career in golf administration. As a key figure with the PGA TOUR, Eger served in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Tournament Operations. He also served as the USGA Senior Director of Rules & Competitions from 1992 to 1995. 

In 2001, Eger returned to professional golf at the age of 50, qualifying for the PGA TOUR Champions. His career on the Champions Tour was highly successful, with four professional titles and over $7 million in prize earnings. His professional victories include the 2003 MasterCard Championship, the 2005 Boeing Classic, and the 2010 Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic. 

“David’s life in golf is one of the most fulfilling I’ve ever witnessed,” said Golf Channel’s Jaime Diaz. “His expertise as both a player and an administrator is unmatched. His selflessness and dedication to the game have made him one of the most respected figures in the sport.” 

Padgett and Eger’s upcoming induction into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame is not only a celebration of their individual achievements, but also of their lifelong dedication to the game of golf and their significant contributions to the Carolinas golf community. Their leadership, passion, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire golfers of all ages and backgrounds. Join us March 22, 2025 at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club to celebrate their induction into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame. Learn more here.

About the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame 

Founded in 1981, the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have contributed to the game of golf and have a connection to the Carolinas. The plaques commemorating all of the inductees are housed in the convention hall of the Carolina Hotel of Pinehurst Resorts. The Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame is under the care of the Carolinas Golf Association. 

About the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) 

The Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization established in 1909 to promote and protect the game of golf in the Carolinas. The CGA supports golf clubs and golfers by providing competitions, education, resources, and benefits. It is the second-largest golf association in the country, representing over 700 member clubs and 220,000 individuals. Each year, the CGA conducts 48 championships and five team match competitions across various divisions, including men, women, juniors, and seniors. In addition, it organizes more than 150 One-Day events (net and gross) and manages qualifying tournaments for USGA national championships. The CGA offers a wide range of services and programs to support golf in the Carolinas, including the administration of the USGA Handicap System, tournament management software and support, course measurement and course/slope ratings, agronomy consultation, and guidance on the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, and Handicapping. Additional initiatives include Carolinas Golf Magazine, the Interclub series, the Tarheel Youth Golf Association, the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame, and expense assistance for USGA Junior and Girls' Junior qualifiers from the Carolinas. Through its charitable arm, the Carolinas Golf Foundation (CGF), the CGA has distributed over $3.2 million since 1977 to support golf initiatives in the region, including junior and women’s programs. 

For more information about the CGA and its programs, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok at @cgagolf1909, or visit our website at www.carolinasgolf.org. 

Media Contact: 
Jackson Sveen 
Director of Media and Marketing 
Carolinas Golf Association 
Phone: (910) 673-1000 
Email: jackson.sveen@carolinasgolf.org 

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