Jim Morris, a successful Springfield golfer who later befriended Payne Stewart, will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame during its Enshrinement presented by Killian Construction on Sunday, Jan. 26 in Springfield.
President & Executive Director Jerald Andrews announced Morris’ addition to the Class of 2020 on Tuesday. Morris, who is in his late 80s, had politely declined the Hall of Fame’s invitation months ago in order to care for his son, who had been hospitalized. The family is now home and enjoying the holiday season.
“We are delighted to be welcoming Jim next month into the Hall of Fame,” Andrews said. “He has enjoyed a remarkable career and has done a lot for the game, especially locally.”
The Enshrinement is set for 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield. An 11 a.m. reception presented by Reliable Toyota is at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, with a 4 p.m. reception scheduled at the convention center. A sponsorship table of 10 is $1,500 and includes a poster of the artist rendering of the Class of 2020 – autographed by all individuals – while individual tickets are $150. Call 417-889-3100.
Morris has been known for a long swing that was almost rhythmic, as he kept his tee shots straight and true on the fairway.
He won a pair of Missouri Senior Amateur championships in his 60s as well as an International Masters Seniors. In 1993, he won the Pro-Am Pebble Beach tournament with Stewart, who before passing away in 1999 had won three pro majors – a PGA Championship and two U.S. Opens.
Morris also was a U.S. representative against Mexico and has since been inducted into the Ozarks Golf Hall of Fame, with the Class of 2001. At one point, he beat Bill Stewart for the Hickory Hills Championship in 36 holes and won both the regular and senior events there, plus turned in the winning card at the Senior Club Championship at the Palms in LaQuinta, Calif. Additionally, he captured several invitational tournaments with Phil Cotton at the Twin Oaks Country Club.
Morris also was the driving force of the construction of the Connie Morris Learning Center, the indoor-outdoor facility at Rivercut Golf Course.
The Class of 2020 features the Kansas City Chiefs’ Derrick Johnson, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Terry Pendleton, the Kansas City Royals’ Ned Yost, University of Missouri and National Football League lineman Justin Smith as well as former Missouri State and big-league pitcher Brad Ziegler.
The class also features Allen Treadwell (Shotgun Sports & TV Personality), John Richardson (Track & Field), broadcaster Don West, basketball official Gerry Pollard, Dr. Bernard Griesemer in sports medicine, football coach Greg Oder, basketball coach Dave Neier, three high school programs – Springfield Catholic Girls Basketball, Chillicothe Football, Ozark Cheerleading – as well as the University of Central Missouri’s 2003 national championship baseball team.
Killian Construction will be bestowed the Founder’s Award, while longtime William Jewell College basketball coach Larry Holley will receive the Pinnacle Award, Larry O’Reilly the President’s Award and Sharyn Wagoner the Summit Award.
