THE SIDELINES : Tom Kite and Betsy King Voted Players of Year by Golf Writers

Tom Kite, golf’s new all-time money-winning leader, was voted Player of the Year by the Golf Writers Assn. of America today.

Betsy King and Bob Charles were chosen as Players of the Year for the LPGA and the Seniors Tour, GWAA President Joe Greenday announced.

Kite, who won the PGA’s Player of the Year title last month, became the PGA Tour’s all-time money-winner when he won the Nabisco Championship at Hilton Head Island, S.C. Kite led the PGA Tour in money-winnings this year with a record $1,395,276 and, in addition to Nabisco, won the Players Championship and the Bay Hill Classic. He also won the writers’ Player of the Year Award in 1981.

King won six LPGA titles this year, including the ladies’ U.S. Open, and led the money-winners with $654,132.

Charles won five official and one unofficial Seniors Tour events and, with two tournaments to go, leads the seniors in money-winnings and scoring average.