LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Supported by a teaching delegation of 73 Kentucky Section PGA Professionals, the PGA Learning Center presented by American Express was the public's oasis for premier golf instruction while attending the 37th Ryder Cup.

The PGA Learning Center hosted 12,591 visitors throughout Ryder Cup week, Sept. 16-21, at Valhalla Golf Club. Some 3,200 golfers received instruction from PGA Professionals, including lessons and clinics.

"We were thrilled with everything that went on at the PGA Learning Center presented by American Express," said Ron Stepanek, PGA director of player development. "Building off the success from the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills we made enhancements to give spectators an even better experience, and additional efforts to connect them with PGA Professionals. These included an on-going video promoting The PGA and our Professionals, increase in Play Golf America PSA's, plus names and phone numbers of individual PGA Professionals in the American Express Friend of a Cardmember promotion.

"Several of our European guests were in awe of the PGA Learning Center activities, and hoped similar efforts could go on in Europe as well."

The PGA Learning Center featured a golf simulator, putting green, chipping green, four hitting bays, golf swing video analysis, video screens for live feeds, interactive instructional computer kiosks, and a stage for clinics. Fans at the Ryder Cup were treated to free 10-minute lessons by Kentucky PGA Section members, competed in daily closest-to-the-hole contests on the golf simulator, and were able to ask PGA Professionals equipment and strategy questions.

Like the PGA Learning Center at the 90th PGA Championship, the facility measured 6,000 square feet and was located between the practice range and the No. 7 fairway.

Combined with the 90th PGA Championship, the PGA Learning Centers welcomed 31,640 fans plus provided some level of instruction to 6,877 golfers.

"A lot of our members felt the PGA Learning Center was a great experience," said Kentucky PGA Section Executive Director Jeff Hill, whose Section had 125 total members and apprentices working at the 37th Ryder Cup. "Our members made contact with people from all over the country, including abroad. I had visited Oakland Hills during the PGA Championship to get a feel for it, and really was pleased to see the facility continue to be popular at the Ryder Cup."