Jim Flood, Jeff Herold and Annika Sorenstam are the three finalists in the business category of what some call "the Academy Awards of the golf industry." The ING Industry Honors program is conducted by the non-profit International Network Of Golf to recognize outstanding achievement in the golf industry.

Hundreds of nominations from across the golf industry have been trimmed by sub-committees to three nominees in each category in the ING Industry Honors awards program. Winners in a dozen categories are currently being decided by an electronic vote of the ING membership. Nominees will be acknowledged and winners announced at the Industry Honors Presentation Press Conference January 27 at 1 p.m. at the PGA Merchandise Show in ClubING, Room 309. 

A Q&A with LPGA Tour star Paula Creamer follows the presentation. The ING Industry Honors committee chair is Holly Geoghegan of Golf Marketing Services.

Here are summaries of the three finalists in business achievement:

Jim Flood - Often referred to as the Thomas Edison of modern golf, Flood's list of inventions include the graphite shaft,