Ochoa to receive USGA's Bob Jones Award

FAR HILLS, N.J., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Lorena Ochoa has been selected to receive the 2011 Bob Jones Award, given for distinguished sportsmanship in golf, the U.S. Golf Association said Tuesday.

Ochoa retired this year from the LPGA. She'd been the No. 1-ranked women's golfer from April 2007 through May 2010. She won 27 tournaments including two major championships.

USGA officials said, in addition to her prowess on the course, Ochoa was being honored for a foundation she formed to help underprivileged children.

"We've come to recognize Lorena for the contributions she has made to humanity much more so than for the golf trophies she's taken home," said Jerry Tarde, chairman and editor in chief of Golf Digest and a member of the USGA's Bob Jones Award Committee. "She has become a one-person grow-the-game program not just in Mexico, but in all of Latin America."

Ochoa was a four-time LPGA player of the year and won four Vare Trophies for lowest scoring average. She was also NCAA player of the year in 2001 and 2002, setting NCAA single-season scoring records both of years.

Ochoa will be presented the Bob Jones Award Feb. 5 during USGA meetings in Phoenix.