By Robert Rodriguez  ::  Photography courtesy Texas Golf Hall of Fame

Cordillera Ranch resident and 2016 PGA Champion Jimmy Walker was one of five honorees recently inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.

Walker, who starred at Canyon High School in New Braunfels and then for Baylor University before turning professional in 2001, joined the 2019 Hall of Fame class of inductees in the professional golfer category. Walker’s pro career resume is quite impressive — nine professional wins including the 2016 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey, a two-time Ryder Cup participant (2014 and 2016) and a member of the 2015 President’s Cup Team.

Joining Walker in the 2019 Texas Golf Hall of Fame inductee class were Houstonian Mike Booker (Amateur Player); Dallas’ Fin Ewing III (Lifetime Achievement); Preston Trail Director of Golf Cameron Doan (Golf Professional / Teacher); and Fort Worth’s Shady Oaks Country Club (Texas Registry of Historic Golf Courses).

“This is pretty cool, and when I got the call [about the induction] I thought I was still young at 40 and told them I wasn’t done yet,” Walker joked. “It’s an incredible honor to be a part of a class with these remarkable individuals and Shady Oaks.”

The 2019 class was honored with a formal induction ceremony at San Antonio Country Club on October 14. Along with the ceremony, each inductee was presented an award and will forever be commemorated with a granite marker on the prestigious Texas Golf Walk of Fame at historic Brackenridge Park Golf Course. The marker sits right of the 17th hole at Brackenridge and next to the Borglum Studio.

Director of Golf Corey Roberson was also enthused by the 2019 Texas Golf Hall of Fame class, as he came to Cordillera Ranch from Preston Trail, where he served and was trained under Cameron Doan since 2012. Roberson credits Doan with helping him become a complete golf professional and teaching him how to enhance the experience for the members at Preston Trail, like Ewing. It is this knowledge and passion for his profession that has made him a perfect fit for Cordillera Ranch.

“While serving the world-class membership at Preston Trail, Cameron showed me who I wanted to be, how to achieve it,” Roberson said. “This invaluable experience prepared me for my role at Cordillera Ranch.”

This year’s class was the Texas Golf Hall of Fame’s 10th class to be inducted since the Hall’s reconstitution in 2009. Public nominations made online were voted on by living Hall members, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame Board of Directors, and designated Texas golf media members.

“2019 has proven to be one of the finest years ever for the Texas Golf Hall of Fame,” said Loren Singletary, its Board Chairman. “The depth of nominees in each category speaks to the significant contributions made to the game of golf by the elected inductees. Their peers have validated their standing in the Texas Golf community, and it is with great pleasure that we extend a hearty congratulations to the 2019 Class of Honorees.”