This week 83 junior golfers representing 40 PGA Sections and select charitable associations are participating in the 2012 Ryder Cup Junior Academy at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. Developed in 2011 in response to the recommendations of past Ryder Cup Team Captains, The Junior Ryder Cup Academy helps juniors experience the passion of the Ryder Cup, and desire to achieve greatness by improving their lives through the game of golf. The academy focuses on playing and competing in both stroke- and match-play formats. Special guest during the week include, U.S. Ryder Cup Legends Billy Casper and Dow Finsterwald.
The South Florida Section is proud to be represented by Junior Tour members Robert Butler of Estero, and Katelin Glass of Lake Worth. Both juniors are having an amazing week, getting to meet juniors from all across the country, and having a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend time with award winning instructors and past Ryder Cup Captains. When asked about his week so far, Robert Butler stated “I couldn’t have imagined what this week would be like.” It is truly an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“We had a tremendously successful first year of the Ryder Cup Junior Academy,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “It was wonderful to see first-hand the impact this initiative had on a special group of junior golfers from across the country. The wonderful input of our past Ryder Cup Captains give junior golfers a rare opportunity to learn more about the game of golf and its values beyond the competitive arena. We are confident that the Academy will continue to offer positive impressions to help build our great game.”
The Ryder Cup Junior Academy is a week-long program that emphasizes the PGA Sports Academy in a variety of skills, including playing and competing in both stroke- and match-play formats, swing mechanics, competitive course management, as well as fitness and physical assessments. Highlights of the week include a Captains’ Clinic, Captains’ Dinner and golf instruction from award-winning PGA Professionals.
About the Ryder Cup Junior Academy
The Ryder Cup Junior Academy is designed to expand the outreach of the Ryder Cup and provide aspiring young players an opportunity to experience an elite player development academy, while targeting those who may not have the resources or means to attend. It will also offer the juniors expert instruction from past U.S. Ryder Cup Captains and award-winning PGA Professionals.
Each of the 41 PGA Sections nationwide were given the opportunity to nominate one boy and one girl each, with the remainder of the juniors selected through an at-large process. Also receiving invitations were boy and girl participants from the Notah Begay III Foundation, Lorena Ochoa Golf Foundation, Bill Dickey Scholarship Association, Pan-American Golf Association, and the AJGA Ace Grant Program.
About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: 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 PGA enables its 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 world-class championships and innovative programs, 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. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.
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