Birdie: By Howard Ward, The Pilot’s eloquent golf writer, for his induction into the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame. Ward has been with us for 13 years, ever since retiring from the The Fayetteville Observer, where he worked for 41 years as a sports writer and editor.

He has covered every golf event from the Ryder Cup to the U.S. Open, but his best writing usually springs from his own outings on the links. His humble and humorous musings have brightened many a Sunday morning here in the Sandhills. As gifted a storyteller as Ward is, he’s an even better guy.

Way to go, Howard! We’re proud of you.