Midwest PGA Section named recipient of 2009 Herb Graffis Award

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The Midwest PGA Section, composed of 280 members and apprentices, was honored today as the recipient of its first Herb Graffis Award, presented annually to a PGA of America Section for extraordinary or exemplary contributions in player development, whether by conducting or supporting Play Golf America initiatives.

The Herb Graffis Award is named in honor of the late golf historian, author, founder of golf magazines, the National Golf Foundation and co-founder of the Golf Writers Association of America. Graffis died at age 95 in 1989.

The Midwest PGA Section, with headquarters in Blue Springs, Mo., was recognized at the 93rd PGA Annual Meeting at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans. The PGA of America membership also honored the 2009 Patriot Award winner, PGA Professional Andy Weissinger of The Pines Golf Course at Fort Eustis, Va.

"Our 2009 award winners reflect the best of our Association," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. "The recipients have each left an impact upon the game long before they were designated for this past year's accomplishments. By their example in benefiting the lives of others, working with their members and inspiring both juniors and young professionals they have made us very proud to say that PGA Professionals are experts in the game and the business of golf."

"It's not what happened the past year, as our Section Professionals have worked for years and years continually promoting golf in all areas of the Section," said Midwest PGA President Ken Leland of St. Joseph (Mo.) Country Club. "Several years ago, we revised our mission statement to read 'Visible, Valuable and Viable.' Our efforts are to ensure that we all can remember the 'three V's.'

"It is gratifying to see how our professionals are more than willing to assist with any promotion. We had 100 percent participation in Patriot Golf Day, and it's another example of when a Section member grabs on and goes for a cause, he or she will do an outstanding job."

Leland's praise stems from statistics. As of June 23 of this year, the Midwest PGA Section ranked No. 1 among 41 nationwide Sections in participating facilities in Play Golf America programs and PGA Free Lesson Month.

The Section was No. 2 in total registered events, President's Council participation and PGA Free Fitting & Trade Month participation.

The Midwest PGA Section excelled in Play Golf America initiatives that included "Play Golf Kansas City," when 41 PGA Professionals gave 21 hours of free 10-minute lessons from Feb. 6-8, to more than 6,000 golf enthusiasts at the Kansas City Golf Show.

The Women's Golf Expo has grown from 120 attendees in its inaugural year (2006) to 272 this year. Twenty-six PGA Professionals teamed with Play Golf America spokesperson Donna Richardson Joyner at Tiffany Greens Golf Club in Kansas City, the home facility for Section Player Development Committee Chairman Michael Zadalis.

"The response to the Women's Golf Expo continues to be tremendous," said Zadalis, "and we want to keep the momentum. Our members understand that the women's market is the chance for growth in our industry. Everybody is getting on board in this Section to try to grow the game of golf."

Additionally, Midwest PGA Section members have utilized an online Section Business Site as a working tool to promote PGA Professionals and growth of the game initiatives.

Section Executive Director Brad Demo said that his job is made easier by the teamwork he witnesses throughout the year.

"The members of our Section truly understand the importance of player development," said Demo. "We all know the challenges of getting sponsors in this economy, but we continue to work hard in that area. I was at a mall recently, wearing a Midwest PGA Section logoed shirt, and a lady approached me and told me she attended the Women's Golf EXPO at Tiffany Greens. She wanted to know when the next event was being held. And, she was a beginning golfer. That makes all our work so worthwhile."