Coyle Heads 14 Recipients of the 2009 Paul Runyan Scholarship

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Ryan Coyle of Cross Plains, Wis., a senior this fall in the PGA Golf Management University Program at Mississippi State University, heads the list of 14 recipients of the 2009 Paul Runyan Collegiate Golf Management Scholarship. Coyle earned a $2,500 scholarship, which is presented to a college senior in the PGA Golf Management University Program currently offered at 20 universities with programs accredited by The PGA of America.

The scholarship was inspired by the legacy of the late Paul Runyan, one of the game's premier instructors who passed away in 2002. A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and a two-time winner of the PGA Championship and Senior PGA Championship, Runyan was selected one of GOLF Magazine's Top 50 Teachers.

Coyle, 21, has a cumulative 4.00 grade-point average as a PGA Golf Management major. He has participated in the set-up and operation of PGA Play Golf America and Play Golf Mississippi State days at the Mississippi State University Golf Course. In addition he was an instructor for the Golf for Business and Life Program. As a PGA Professional Ryan said "he will use his love of golf to introduce the game to as many new people as possible and to foster their love of a game that can be so much more than just a sport. As a PGA Professional, I will love my job. I also look forward to the challenges ahead."

Coyle is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society; was named to the Mississippi State University President's List; served as PGA Golf Management Club (Vice President and Tournament Director) and from 2006 to 2008, was a member of the Mississippi State University Jones Cup team.

Coyle is joined by 13 other Paul Runyan Scholarship recipients, each of whom received a $1,500 scholarship:

"The PGA of America is proud to award the Paul Runyan Collegiate Golf Management Scholarship to this year's outstanding recipients," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "This scholarship is a fitting tribute to its namesake. Paul Runyan was one of our Association's finest examples of a multi-talented PGA Professional. His exceptional playing record was followed by a legendary teaching career. Today's Paul Runyan scholars exemplify Paul's spirit of improving oneself through education and using one's skills to give back to the game."

Applicants for the Paul Runyan Collegiate Golf Management Scholarship must be currently enrolled in an accredited PGA Golf Management University Program and be completing their junior year at that university.

Applicants must have completed Level 2 checkpoint of The PGA's Professional Golf Management Program; carry a grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 grading scale; have successfully completed the PGA Playing Ability Test (PAT), demonstrate community involvement as it relates to growing the participation in the game of golf; and present a paper (500-word minimum) discussing "Why Do You Want to Become a PGA Professional?"

Since its beginning, the Paul Runyan Collegiate Golf Management Scholarships has awarded $90,000.

Currently, 2,087 students are enrolled in a PGA Golf Management University Program at 20 universities nationwide. The program has 2,351 graduates who are current PGA members.