PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- More than 150 youngsters representing 24 Cleveland-area charities and organizations will receive expert golf instruction from 20 Northern Ohio GPA Professionals in a PGA Community Relations Youth Golf Clinic, May 18, at The First Tee of Cleveland. The Youth Golf Clinic, which serves representatives of the charities, is not open to the general public.
The Youth Golf Clinic is held in conjunction with the 70th Senior PGA Championship, May 18-24, at Canterbury Golf Club.
PGA Honorary Member Dennis Walters of Jupiter, Fla., the 2008 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner and nationally-renowned golf trick shot artist, will perform at 4 p.m.
The Youth Golf Clinic will feature free 10-minute lessons provided by Northern Ohio PGA Professionals in recognition of PGA Free Lesson Month. The 2009 Community Relations Program selected 24 Cleveland-area charities, which provide a diverse range of services primarily for youth, in the areas of health, wellness and education.
"The PGA of America is excited for the opportunity to highlight our host Northern Ohio PGA Professionals and their continuing work with many of these great charities and organizations," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "The group assembled for this Youth Golf Clinic provides such great services to enhance the lives of youth. Our Community Relations Program and our Pro-Am Tournament held in conjunction with the 70th Senior PGA Championship focus on these great servants of the youth of Cleveland."
Participating charities/organizations in the PGA Community Relations Youth Golf Clinic:
Akron General Edwin Shaw Rehab Challenge Golf
Achievement Centers for Children
Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland
Chris Child Society of Cleveland
Clearview Legacy Foundation
Cleveland Foodbank
Cops & Kids
Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland
Golf - NOGA & The Cleveland Clinic
Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland
Levy Restaurants
New Avenues to Independence
Ohio Girls Golf Foundation
Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club
Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland
The First Tee of Akron
The First Tee of Cleveland
The First Tee of Lake Erie
The First Tee of Mahoning Valley
Special Olympics
United Way of Greater Cleveland
Youth Challenges
Youth Opportunities Unlimited
The PGA Community Relations Program is an outreach program under the PGA Foundation, the charitable arm of The PGA of America. This year's program at Canterbury Golf Club is guided by a Community Relations Committee, including Jay Park, executive vice chairman of Canterbury Golf Club; David Cannon, vice chairman of Canterbury and Committee Chairman Carl Behrens.
Tickets to the 70th Senior PGA Championship are still available by calling 1-800-PGA-GOLF (742-4653) or (561) 624-7601; or by visiting the Championship's official Web site, SeniorPGA2009.com.
Begun in 1937, the Senior PGA Championship is the oldest major championship in senior golf. It was born on the grounds of another of golf's majors at the invitation of one of the game's greatest players. At the suggestion of renowned amateur Bobby Jones, the inaugural Senior PGA Championship was conducted at Augusta National Golf Club three years after the first Masters Tournament.
Today, the Senior PGA Championship brings together both the legends of the game and the newest members of senior professional golf to new audiences throughout the United States.
Many of the game's greatest players have won the Championship's Alfred S. Bourne Trophy - a roster that features Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson and Jay Haas.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
