TULSA, Okla. -- When philanthropist and oil entrepreneur J.A. LaFortune donated land to Tulsa County in the late 1950s, he probably had a vision that one day the more than 200 acres devoted to golf would be hosting something like the event that took place Aug. 6, when The PGA of America conducted a Community Relations Youth Clinic and Play Golf America Day on the property.

More than 250 junior boys and girls from Greater Tulsa, representing 16 charitable organizations, received expert instruction for three hours from 38 South Central PGA Section Golf Professionals in the PGA Community Relations Youth Golf Clinic. A few hours later, some 600 attended Play Golf America Day, where manufacturers offered demonstrations of the latest equipment and PGA Golf Professionals gave more than 300 free 10-minute lessons.
PGA President Brian Whitcomb addresses fans attending the Community Relations Clinic

There were 250 pairs of practice round tickets to the 89th PGA Championship given away.

"It was the highlight of my career," said LaFortune Park Golf Course Director of Golf Pat McCrate. "From morning to afternoon, it was a great time. It's not every day that The PGA of America brings its show to your doorstep."

"I am absolutely overwhelmed with the turnout to this event, said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "It is such a privilege to interact with the boys and girls, who will one day be tomorrow's leaders.

"This clinic is a perfect fit with the mission statement of both the PGA Foundation and The PGA of America. We love that the kids are able to interact with our members, the men and women PGA Golf Professionals."

PGA Past President M.G. Orender of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., who was a key to the launch of Play Golf America in 2004, served as master of ceremonies at LaFortune Park's first Play Golf America Day event.

"Play Golf America has given The PGA of America a platform for what they already were doing, and that was growing the game," said Orender. "Even more so, PGA members have become more focused on the state of the industry and the state of the game. And, I'm watching PGA Golf Professionals go back to many of the very good basics that we did in the 1970s and 1980s to grow the game."

The day's activities excited many of those who had never been introduced to PGA of America instruction, including Erik Meeker, 50, of Tulsa.

"I've never seen this before and I can tell you it was a great decision to bring the family out here," said Meeker. "I like the opportunity to get the lessons, see the new equipment and just have a day where the family can see how great the game can be."

South Central PGA Section Executive Director Barry Thompson said the 38 participating Section members "had a great day."

"We had a great group of PGA Golf Professionals with us, and we truly felt that this was a big success this week," said Thompson. "LaFortune Park is a wonderful setting for this event."

The star performer of the Youth Clinic was PGA Honorary Member Dennis Walters, a nationally-renowned trick shot artist. Though a paraplegic, Walters continued to showcase his amazing ability to hit balls in any direction and distance with ease.

"Being able to show kids that they can reach their goals and dreams is a big reason I am out here doing this," said Walters, who has performed his trick-shot show for more then 31 years. "Though I do a wide-range of events each year, the highlight is being able to impact kids across the country."

One of the participating groups in the youth clinic, Chickasaw National Junior Golf Program, received a Growth of the Game grant from The PGA of America, which is presented annually to charitable organizations across the country that exhibit excellence in giving back to the community.

Chickasaw Program Director Toni Pace, who was presented a plaque for the program's overall achievement by Whitcomb, envisions the grant as a way to enhance the many programs the organization offers.

"This grant will provide and augment the current programs that our tribe offers," said Pace. "The support The PGA of America has shown will go a long way in impacting the lives of children in Ada (Okla.).

Since its origin in 2000, the PGA Community Relations Program, inclusive of the PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, PGA Professional National Championship and Ryder Cup, has benefited 784 charities. Those charities have received funds and credentials to major PGA events totaling more than $15 million.

Following the clinic, the South Central PGA supervised a Youth Skills Challenge involving 60 youngsters from Greater Tulsa.

The Youth Clinic was just part of the PGA Community Relations Program, which will benefit 36 organizations in Greater Tulsa, providing a value of $596,600 for both access to the Championship and operational support.

The PGA Community Relations Program is an outreach program under the PGA Foundation, the charitable arm of The PGA of America.

The 10-member PGA Community Relations Committee features both Southern Hills Country Club members and local community leaders. The committee is chaired by Greg Ruley and includes Championship General Chairman Al Bush.

More information about the participating organizations and contacts in the PGA Community Relations Program may be found by visiting www.pgafoundation.org.

Tickets to the 89th PGA Championship are still available by calling 1-800-PGA-GOLF (732-4653) or by visiting the Championship's official Web site, www.PGA2007.com.

Players and clubhouse guests will enjoy a newly-refurbished locker room, gathering places and expanded meeting space inside the clubhouse for member and corporate hospitality. It also will accommodate this year's Champions' Dinner, hosted by Defending Champion Tiger Woods.

The PGA Championship is one of four premier golf events conducted by The PGA of America. Others include the Ryder Cup, the Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which brings together the winners of golf's four major championships. Since 1916, golf's best professionals have been competing for the PGA Championship's coveted Wanamaker Trophy. Past Champions span both the legendary and recent stars of the game: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Golf Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.