Arnold Palmer Invitational's Ken Hoffman named PGA Tour Volunteer of the Year

The legacy left behind by Arnold Palmer is more than a historic golf career. It’s more than a PGA Tour tournament named after him at a course with a massive bronze statue of him. Palmer’s legacy is even bigger than his philanthropic efforts that led to the creation of the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation. 

“Arnie,” as he was affectionately called, left behind such a massive legacy that instead of measuring it by his accomplishments, it can be best captured by looking at the people he inspired and how they’ve carried on his work following his passing. 

A perfect example is Ken Hoffman, a volunteer at the Arnold Palmer Invitational for more than 45 years, getting his start at the tournament in 1979 as a member of the Status Board Committee. Working his way through various other API volunteer committees, Hoffman served as a member of the Volunteer Executive Board for eight years before becoming its general chairman from 2017-18. 

“I think in being around Arnold Palmer, I’ve tried to emulate him and all the good things he did for everybody,” Hoffman said.

Living up to that goal, following his tenure as chairman, Hoffman bucked the trend of retiring from service at the API and instead continued to give his time and support to the tournament, serving as a member of the Volunteer Executive Leadership Team, which oversees the scoring committees. 

Because of Hoffman’s devotion to his work as a volunteer for nearly a half-century and his role as a standard-bearer for Palmer’s legacy, he was recognized recently as the 2024 PGA Tour Volunteer of the Year. 

“Ken’s impact on the Arnold Palmer Invitational … has been undeniable,” API Executive Director Drew Donovan said. “Ken inspires us every day to keep pressing and doing the best we can for this event. We’re excited the rest of the PGA Tour is inspired by Ken and chose him as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year.”

Hoffman was grateful for the honor but made sure his fellow volunteers received recognition for their efforts, too.

“I am honored to be selected as the 2024 PGA Tour Volunteer of the Year,” Hoffman said. “Thank you to the PGA Tour selection committee, including Arnold Palmer Invitational … staff and board members, and to the thousands of tournament volunteers who have walked beside me throughout my upcoming 46th year as a volunteer.”

Along with the prestigious award, the PGA also will donate $10,000 on Hoffman’s behalf to a charity of his choice. Knowing his passion for this tournament and the good its namesake and subsequent charity work done by Palmer and in his name, Hoffman selected the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation — the primary beneficiary of the Arnold Palmer Invitational — as the recipient of the gift.

“Thank you to the volunteers throughout the years who have continued to support Arnie’s Army and associated charities, which have benefitted thousands of women and babies in the Orlando area,” Hoffman said. “My first tour of the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando stole my heart. … Observing a preemie baby in an incubator is eye-awakening, no less astonishing and life-saving.”

Created to honor the legacies of Palmer and his wife, Winnie Palmer, the foundation focuses on impacting people in the game of golf and beyond. 

In Central Florida, the foundation’s philanthropic work in children’s health, youth character development and nature-focused wellness has been incredible. The foundation and tournament also support other important efforts, including the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, the redevelopment of Lake Lorna Doone Park and the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve in Arnold Palmer’s hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. 

Volunteers, such as Hoffman, are crucial to the success of the PGA Tour’s tournaments. With more than 100,000 volunteers serving throughout the tour’s events each year, operating with the same unsurpassed guest service would not be possible without their time and effort. 

Beyond their necessity to the tour, the countless hours put in by these volunteers assist about 3,000 charities each year, with virtually all PGA Tour tournaments being organized as non-profit organizations to maximize charitable giving. To date, the tournaments across all tours have generated more than $4 billion in charitable gifts.

Orlando’s PGA Tour stop, which benefits a number of local causes, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, returns to Bay Hill Club & Lodge March 6-9, 2025.