NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio -- PGA Professional Trevor Hazen of Strongsville, Ohio, spent nearly an hour Monday assisting a youngster in a wheelchair hit a golf ball one-handed.

Sgt. Tim Higgins, a member of Cleveland's police force and someone who has truly seen it all in his 15 years of serving the community, smiled proudly as several youth in Cops & Kids laughed and took turns trying to out drive each other.

Nearby, several teenagers from Canton, Ohio, who live in foster homes, waited their turn at the next available practice mat for their first opportunity to hit a golf ball. One young boy yelled for joy when he learned that he was given a souvenir golf cap.

The above scenarios, repeated over and over, formed a tapestry of 24 Cleveland-area charities and organizations that sent 160 youngsters to the Senior PGA Community Relations Youth Golf Clinic. Hosted by The First Tee of Cleveland, the youth worked with 30 Northern Ohio PGA Professionals for a special day in golf.

Held in conjunction with the 70th Senior PGA Championship, the clinic featured free 10-minute lessons provided by Northern Ohio PGA Professionals in recognition of PGA Free Lesson Month. The 2009 Community Relations Program selected the Cleveland-area charities, which provide a diverse range of services primarily for youth, in the areas of health, wellness and education.

"It's been pretty humbling to watch how our Northern Ohio PGA Professionals have committed themselves to take time away from their facilities at this busy point of opening the season and join us here," said Northern Ohio PGA President Judd Stephenson of Avon Oaks Country Club in Avon, Ohio. "Their respective club memberships or employers understand how important it is to have their host professional here."

PGA of America President Jim Remy greeted the attendees, adding "This is such a diverse group of participants and it's wonderful that we can benefit so many local charities and organizations. I'm 54 years old, and I began playing golf when I was 10 years old. That's 44 years of playing the game and I enjoy it as much today as I did when I started."

The clinic's main event was an appearance by PGA Honorary Member Dennis Walters of Jupiter, Fla., recipient of the 2008 PGA Distinguished Service Award and who for more than 30 years has performed in 49 states with a program combining golf trick shots and life lessons.

"To all you boys and girls, I repeat what I have said so often to all those I meet around the country," said Walters, who was paralyzed in 1974 after a freak golf cart accident. "You have to find a dream, and that's not what you think about when you're asleep at night. Have a positive thought in your head and work to make it come true.

"If that dream doesn't work out, get a new dream! Never stop dreaming."

Nearby, Renee Powell of East Canton, Ohio, the 2003 PGA First Lady of Golf, watched Walters perform his repertoire of golf shots and saw the expressions on the faces of the audience. Powell was joining several members of the Pathway Caring for Children program who are in foster homes. The charity is one of several supported by the Clearview Legacy Foundation for Education Preservation Research.

"I was moved watching the excitement of the kids," said Powell. "I think their seeing Dennis Walters perform and seeing how he has overcome a disability and talk about dreams has left an impact on many of them. There were many children at the clinic who have lots of challenges, where life has not been that good to them. The day they spent and the people they met was an opportunity that you don't take lightly. I believe that many of them returned home finding that maybe this day has made a difference in their lives."

Hazen, PGA head professional at North Olmsted (Ohio) Golf Club, works with Youth Challenge of Westlake, Ohio, which for more than 33 years has been bringing together children with physical disabilities and youth volunteers who team for one-on-one participation in adapted sports and recreational activities.

According to Hazen, three-fourth of the youngsters he and his colleagues meet are confined to wheelchairs.

"When I put my hand on a youngster's hand, and we both swing the golf club together, I can sense immediately by their smiles that they know they have had a part of hitting a good shot," said Hazen. "We are about improving the quality of life for these kids. We set goals for them in order that they may achieve their own level of normalcy. They understand the feeling of accomplishing something as simple as hitting a ball a short distance in the air."

The host, The First Tee of Cleveland, is a facility featuring a nine-hole family course managed by Cleveland Metroparks. Krista Purves, education coordinator, said that The First Tee of Cleveland touches some 3,000 youth from throughout six counties.

"We have enjoyed some great support and have reached out to more and more youngsters each year," said Purves. "The fact that Cleveland Metroparks provides the great service for the course is outstanding."

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
Harvard Community Servicse Center
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

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 904 charities. Those charities have received funds and credentials to major PGA events totaling more than $15 million.

This year's PGA Community Relations 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 Carl Behrens, committee chairman.