Eisenhower, who died in 1969 at the age of 78, joined Christy O'Connor of Ireland, Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain and Lanny Wadkins in the Hall's Class of 2009.

"One would be hard pressed to find any single person who did more to popularize the game of golf, not only in the United States but throughout the world, than President Eisenhower," Arnold Palmer said upon hearing of Ike's selection.

"His visibility, coupled with his passion for the game, were the inspiration for literally millions of people picking up the game for the first time. Those involved in golf today owe him a great debt of gratitude.

"Since I was fortunate enough to have enjoyed a warm, personal friendship with the President, I had the opportunity to see firsthand his passion for the game and the impact he had on its broadening appeal worldwide."

Eisenhower, who played varsity football and junior varsity baseball at West Point, did not take up golf until the age of 37 and used the game as an escape from his duties as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II.

By the time he returned home following the war and was elected President in 1952, he had become so hooked on the game that he had a putting green built on the White House grounds just outside the oval office.

Eisenhower is said to have played 800 rounds of golf during his eight years in office and especially inspired Americans in the neighborhood of 40 years old to take up the game for the first time.

His love of the game is given much of the credit for the number of golfers in the United States growing from about 3.2 million people in 1953, when Eisenhower took office, to nearly 6.5 million in 1961.

"It should be no surprise that President Eisenhower's passion for golf influenced so many during his time in office," said Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and also chairman of the World Golf Foundation.

"He was a role model not only in the United States, but throughout the free world, and his leadership during World War II brought hope when it was sorely needed. That such a man was devoted to golf did much to popularize and raise the stature of our sport."

Eisenhower made his first trip to Augusta National Golf Club in 1948 and, according to records there, he visited 45 times before his death, many times for lengthy stays.

Ike was there so often that a group of Augusta members built a cabin for him, complete with living quarters for the Secret Service. The winner of the Masters now receives his green jacket in a ceremony in the Eisenhower Cabin.

Another landmark at Augusta is Ike's Tree, located on the left side of the fairway of the 17th hole. Eisenhower hit the tree so often with his tee shot that he lobbied to have it cut down during a 1956 members meeting.

John Daly took a hit of more than $250K when he lost in court last week. (Michael Cohen / Getty Images)

Duval County Circuit Judge Hugh Carithers, who dismissed Daly's libel lawsuit and granted the newspaper summary judgment in March, ordered Daly to pay $263,088 in attorney's fees, plus costs of $8,675.99 and 8 percent interest per year until the amount is paid off.

Daly filed suit in 2005, alleging that a column written that year by Mike Freeman in the Times-Union during the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass defamed him.

Freeman's column read in part: "How does Daly not fail the scoundrel sniff test with fans despite possessing definite Thug Life qualifications? Look at the Daly blog. Domestic violence accusations? Yup. Substance-abuse issues? Unfortunately. Three different kids from three different moms, making him the Shawn Kemp of golf? Yes. A former wife indicted for laundering illegal drug profits? Roger that."

Carithers ruled that Freeman's statements were either true or constitutionally protected opinion against libel.

"The only possible basis for a defamation action would be if Daly proved that one of the four underlying facts was false, but there is no genuine dispute with respect to any of the underlying facts," Carithers wrote.

" ... Under the First Amendment, public figures in defamation lawsuits are required to prove actual malice by clear and convincing evidence. There is no evidence of actual malice, much less 'clear and convincing' evidence."

Times-Union Editor Frank Denton praised the judge for reinforcing the First Amendment and established law.

The Associated Press said that calls about the legal fees order to Daly's attorney, Lydia A. Jones, and Daly's agent, Bud Martin, and Times-Union publisher Lucy Talley were not returned.

The 52-year-old five-time major champion appeared to be in good health, although understandably thinner, after undergoing four surgeries and two bouts of chemotherapy.

"I want to do my bit to battle this disease," said Ballesteros, who was accompanied by two of his doctors to the press reception in a Madrid hotel. "Just nine months ago my life was hanging by a thread.

"I am a lucky man. I have a second opportunity, and my desire is to help others. I contributed my part through my strength as a sportsman, which is what (the doctors) said, but if they had not been around, I would not be with all of you today. So, many thanks."

Ballesteros' cancer was discovered after he collapsed at Madrid Barajas International Airport and was taken to La Paz Hospital, where he spent more than three months in treatment.

He said the Seve Ballesteros Foundation will help fight cancer, and he also had a message for anyone facing problems in life.

"My message is that there is no secret in life at all," said Ballesteros, who has won 50 times around the world, including three British Open and two Masters titles.

"All you must do is fight, fight, fight and be consistent, and in the end you will be a winner. In the end, you have to have luck, and luck comes to those who fight."

Ballesteros said he is back to playing golf and one his sons, Javier, recently beat him.

"But I will beat him," Seve said. "I just need a bit of training."

Ballesteros said he is going to dedicate his time to his children, the foundation and giving lectures but also will continue in his golf course design business.

The Seve Ballesteros Foundation will contribute to cancer research, particularly the treatment of brain tumors. The foundation also will help young golfers with financial problems.

Ochoa captured two major championships and unseated Annika Sorenstam of Sweden as the No. 1 in the world with Brooker, but she announced from her home in Guadalajara that she is going with Johnston because she believes she is entering a new phase in her career.

"It's not easy to let (Brooker) go knowing he is such a great caddie and person," said Ochoa, who has won the Honda LPGA Thailand and the Corona Championship in Mexico this season and is third on the LPGA Tour money list with $711,105.

However, she has not been a factor in the majors, tying for 12th in the Nabisco Dinah Shore and finishing a disappointing tie for 23rd in the recent McDonald's LPGA Championship.

Johnston spent 12 years working for Juli Inkster, who captured 20 titles, including four majors during that time, before leaving to work for Michelle Wie when she was 15 in 2005.

With Johnston on the bag, Wie held the lead on the back nine in three major championships in 2006 and finished in the top five in all of them at the age of 16. He also has worked for Brittany Lincicome, Suzann Pettersen and Angela Park.

Johnston was fired unceremoniously in a phone call from Wie's agent while waiting at the airport in Manchester, England, in 2006 after she tied for 26th in the Weetabix Women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

The 40-year-old Smith was not with them because he was playing in the Fort Smith Classic on the Nationwide Tour.

"Words cannot begin to express how difficult of a time this is for our family, and we appreciate the generous outpouring of support that we have received," Smith said in a statement released through the PGA Tour.

"We would appreciate it if you would continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers and kindly ask that you please respect our privacy during this extremely difficult time."

Beth Smith, 42, of Peru, Ind., was killed when the sport utility vehicle she was a passenger in struck a Greyhound bus carrying members of a Canadian football team, the London Silverbacks. More than 20 people were injured.

Coroner Rodney Snyder of Steuben County said he identified Smith, whose body was badly burned, using her dental records.

Smith's children, 16-year-old Abigail and 12-year-old Cameron, were listed in critical condition at a Fort Wayne hospital. Authorities said Abigail Smith was driving the SUV when it veered across the median on Interstate 69.

While Beth Smith could not escape the burning vehicle, her children were found in a ditch next to the road, but it was not known if they got out by themselves or were thrown from the wreckage.

Chris Smith qualified for the PGA Tour in 1995 and won the 2002 Buick Classic, in addition to having five victories on the Nationwide Tour. He has been a part-time PGA player in recent years, playing mostly on the Nationwide Tour this season.