PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The Northern California PGA Section and PGA Professional Bob Baldassari of Fredericksburg, Va., trendsetters for growth of the game initiatives, have been named recipients of the respective national Herb Graffis Cup and President's Plaque for extraordinary efforts in player development that support Play Golf America.
The Northern California PGA Section, and Baldassari, the PGA head professional at Cannon Ridge Golf Club in Fredericksburg, Va., will be honored at the 2006 PGA of America Awards program in January 2007 at the 54th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla.
"The Northern California PGA is an enterprising family of PGA Professionals who have used their creativity and talents to add value to Play Golf America initiatives," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "We are very proud to present the Herb Graffis Cup to the Section as the flagship for player development.
"PGA Professional Bob Baldasarri began his passion for Play Golf America initiatives long before the national program had an official title. Play Golf America continues its campaign which is vital to the future of the game. We are very proud of member professionals like Bob Baldassari, who have taken the reigns in their respective Sections to attract new players to the game and galvanizing support among their peers. It is an honor to award Bob with the President's Plaque."
Northern California PGA Section – Herb Graffis Cup
Since 2003, the Northern California PGA Section (NCPGA) has developed programs geared toward consumers, featuring clinics, expositions, including community outreach efforts at Tour events. Today there are 11 ongoing programs in place within the Section. In addition, the events are devoted to help prepare Section professionals in player development, while also encouraging the support of allied associations.
The programs were chaired the first two years by PGA Professional Ken Morton Sr. of Haggin Oaks Golf Complex of Sacramento, Calif., the 1998 PGA Golf Professional of the Year, and now by PGA Professional Monte Koch of Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa, Calif. The Section later hired Growth of the Game Director Carol Pence, a PGA and LPGA Professional from El Cerrito, Calif., to oversee the Section's efforts.
In support of the NCPGA, The California Alliance for Golf, which is comprised of representatives from most all allied golf organizations within the state, formed a Growth of the Game Subcommittee headed by Pence. Section sponsors have also lent support to the initiative.
The California State Assembly and Senate provided formal resolutions in support of Play Golf America in California, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote a letter expressing his support of Play Golf America Day.
Additionally, the Northern California Golf Association offered financial support and assisted with Play Golf America Day, Welcome to Golf Day and Women's Golf Week.
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California and the California Golf Course Superintendents Association also supported Section efforts.
The Northern California PGA Section programs include:
* A Section-wide Welcome to Golf Day
* Player Golf America Day
* Saving Strokes Clinics
* Community outreach at Tour events
* 3-Day Golf Expos
"Besides being a tremendous honor, receiving the Herb Graffis Cup is a true reflection of the commitment and passion our entire Section has towards growing the game of golf," said Northern California PGA President Sue Fiscoe. "We accelerated our efforts when The PGA of America took the lead in developing a platform through Play Golf America and its family of initiatives. When M.G. Orender (now PGA Honorary President) originally asked us to get involved, we took the request seriously.
"The Herb Graffis Cup is such a special distinction, and it will be shared amongst many – our professionals, staff, sponsors, and the fellow allied associations who've been our partners in bringing the growth of the game initiatives forward."
PGA Sections that demonstrate extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in Player Development will be candidates for the Herb Graffis Cup, an award named in honor of the late PGA Honorary Member and renowned golf journalist who was one of the Association's most noted contributors.
Bob Baldassari – President's Plaque Winner
Since 1997, Bob Baldassari has served as public relations chair for the Middle Atlantic PGA Section and national chair for The PGA of America's Public Relations Task Force, leading the Section and its members in recognizing the critical role that PGA Professionals play in attracting new players to the game. Baldassari's course, Cannon Ridge Golf Club, was host to the Section's Play Golf America Day in 2006.
"I watched my Dad [PGA Life Member Robert Baldassari] give lessons when I was young, and his example is carried through by 28,000 PGA Professionals who have put a hand on someone's shoulder and helped them learn and appreciate the game," said Baldassari, who is currently president of the Middle Atlantic PGA. "I am pretty humbled by this award. I have always enjoyed presenting new ideas to encourage people to play the game. It all comes down to what's inside people's hearts to touch their passion to play golf. I believe the Play Golf America program continues to pick up steam."
Baldassari also conducted the following programs: Cannon Ridge's Family Golf Program; Streets to Fairways for elementary, middle and high school underprivileged youth; Women's Golf Week; a six-week Learn the Game series for the Executive Women's Golf Association; the Deane Beman "6/90" Learning System for adult beginner golfers; adult beginner classes at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, Va.; Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Introduction to Golf; hosted Special Olympic golf clinics and events; and since 1992, has hosted local high school golf teams at his clubs and became an became an assistant coach while living and working in Ocean City, Md.
The President's Plaque will be presented to individuals for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in Player Development. The award considers a PGA Professional's growth of the game leadership commitment at the Section and national levels, and the impact at the members' own facility.
From 1974 to 2001, The Herb Graffis Cup was awarded to the PGA Section with the highest financial contribution to National Golf Day/National Golf Month charities. From 1982 to 2001, the President's Plaque was awarded to a PGA Professional with the highest individual contribution to the National Golf Day/National Golf Month charities.
Begun in January 2004, Play Golf America's goal is to reach 17 million golfers who have expressed a desire to play golf and the 14 million occasional golfers who play between one and seven times per year. The campaign focuses on the adult population of families, couples, women and business professionals by having programs to meet their needs posted on www.playgolfamerica.com.
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
