PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- PGA Professional Carol Mann, who followed a Hall of Fame competitive career by serving as LPGA president and one of the game's premier contributors, has been named the recipient of the 2008 PGA First Lady of Golf Award.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Mann spent virtually her entire youth in Baltimore, Md., and is now a resident of The Woodlands, Texas.

She will be honored May 21, in a 7 p.m. ceremony at the Kilbourn Hall in the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. The award presentation is in conjunction with the 69th Senior PGA Championship, May 19-25, at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester.

Mann, 67, attended the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and turned professional in 1960. She went on to win 38 championships from 1961 through 1981 on the LPGA Tour, including the 1964 Western Open and 1965 U.S. Open.

She was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame (1977) and the World Golf Hall of Fame (1998), and is a trustee and past president of the Women's Sports Foundation. Among her many endeavors was joining other prominent women athletes in advocating gender equity through the Title IX Amendment of 1972 with three U.S. presidents and with members of Congress.

"There are golfers who have gone gently into retirement after their playing careers, and there is Carol Mann, who has made a career out of giving back to the game," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The PGA of America is very proud to present Carol with the 2008 PGA First Lady of Golf Award in recognition of what she has done and continues to do to elevate the golf profession and make this game better for everyone."

Inspired by the legendary Patty Berg, an LPGA co-founder, and by such PGA Professionals as Jim Scott of Chicago and Manuel de la Torre of Milwaukee, Mann carried on their passion for teaching.

From 1973 to 1976, Mann served as LPGA president, playing a key role in the formation of the modern LPGA, during which time the association selected its first commissioner and Board of Directors. During this period, the LPGA heightened its focus on marketing, increased purses and network television exposure.

"To be considered among those who have preceded me in receiving this award is very humbling," said Mann. "Those who have won before me are all heroes of mine. I am very touched and pleased. Those who have guided me in golf have instilled one common message about the game -- to leave it better than how you found it. I have worked to do that and consider the people who come behind me."

Born the only daughter among five children to Louis and Ann Mann, Carol began playing golf at age nine and among her first lessons were under the supervision of the late PGA of America teaching legend Bill Strausbaugh.

An honorary member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division, Mann was elected to PGA of America membership in 2002. She is one of the country's most respected PGA Teaching Professionals, having conducted more than 700 golf clinics nationwide. She was a golf analyst for NBC from 1977 through 1984 in assignments on the PGA, Champions and LPGA tours, and also worked for ABC and ESPN.

From 1980 through 2002, Mann created and produced golf hospitality programs for Fortune 100 and 500 companies. She authored "The 19th Hole: Favorite Golf Stories" in 1992; wrote an award-winning golf column for the former Houston Post; and has been a frequent contributor to many other golf publications.

Mann is a special ambassador and consultant for the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., and continues to devote much of her time to charitable pursuits, which include serving since 1993 as honorary chair of the Rice Golf Classic, which has raised more than $330,000 for women's athletics at Rice University.

The PGA First Lady of Golf Award, inaugurated in 1998, is presented to a woman who has made significant contributions to the promotion of the game of golf.

PGA First Lady of Golf Recipients:
1998 - Barbara Nicklaus
1999 - Judy Rankin
2000 - No recipient
2001 - Judy Bell
2002 - Nancy Lopez
2003 - Renee Powell
2004 - Alice Dye
2005 - Carol Semple Thompson
2006 - Kathy Whitworth
2007 - Peggy Kirk Bell
2008 - Carol Mann

Tickets to the 69th Senior PGA Championship are available by calling 1-800-PGA-GOLF (742-4653) or by visiting www.seniorPGA2008.com.

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.

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