PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Tim Rosaforte won’t be covering the Honda Classic, but his presence in the media center will still be felt.

This week and beyond.

Honda Classic executive director Ken Kennerly announced Monday that the tournament’s media room will be named the Tim Rosaforte Media Center.

Additionally, the Honda Classic has created the Tim Rosaforte Distinguished Writers’ Award with, appropriately, Rosaforte the inaugural winner.

Rosaforte, a 65-year-old Jupiter resident, retired in late 2019 after a decorated career that included a 12-year stint as Golf Channel’s “insider” after writing for publications such as Golf Digest/Golf World, Sports Illustrated and the Palm Beach Post, where he worked from 1987-94.

Not long after Rosaforte retired, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

“Tim is one of the major reasons why the tournament has grown in stature over the years,” Kennerly said. “He has been our hometown voice providing coverage both nationally and internationally.”

In addition to covering the Honda Classic since 1981, Rosaforte has served as host of the tournament’s pro-am draw and moderator for corporate events involving PGA Tour players.

“I’ve got a lot of great memories from the Honda Classic,” Rosaforte said. “Jackie Gleason riding around in his souped-up golf cart … I got to meet Joe Willie Namath the first time at a Honda. I wish I would have been there when Jack (Nicklaus) won with the five closing birdies (in 1978).

“These are two great honors I’m thrilled to receive. The Honda Classic has always been a special place for me. I hope to be there for many more.”

These are the latest in a series of awards Rosaforte has received in the last six months. The PGA of America made Rosaforte just the 12th person – and first journalist – to earn honorary membership, an award usually given to presidents and celebrities.

Rosaforte was also named the winner of this year’s Memorial Golf Journalism Award. The award was created to honor journalists who served their profession with conspicuous honor and made a significant contribution and impact on golf journalism.

“Tim has been honored by so many organizations and deservedly so,” Nicklaus said. “Barbara and I are delighted the Honda Classic has become the latest tournament to pay tribute to Tim and his wonderful career.”

Rosaforte has won more than 30 writing awards and wrote two books on Tiger Woods and another on the Ryder Cup. He also served as the president of the Golf Writers Association of America.

“Tim was in a rare group of sportswriters who had the skill to translate storytelling and reporting in print to television,” said Joe Steranka, a member of the Honda Classic’s board of directors. “That allowed him to break and cover the biggest stories in golf.

“While his stature grew nationally and internationally, Rosie never forgot his hometown here in Palm Beach County and the role the Honda Classic had in promoting the sport and raising money for charity.”