PGA returns to NYC to celebrate 90th anniversary

It's not often one gets the chance to return to the exact place of his or her birth and toast the occassion. On Monday, The PGA of America did exactly that when officials and dignitaries gathered at the Holiday Inn Martinique in New York City -- the site where the association was formed on April 10, 1916 -- to celebrate 90 years of excellence as the world's largest working sports organization.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- From its humble beginning in 1916 in New York City to blossoming into today's largest working sports organization, The PGA of America's 90 years of serving the game of golf and its membership is a timeline of memorable accomplishments and leadership.

Whether it is staging a major Championship or teaching the game of golf to millions of consumers, The PGA has upheld the mission of its founders to be leaders first and promote participation in the game.

The PGA of America celebrated its 90th anniversary at the site of its founding, Monday, April 10, 2006, at the Holiday Inn Martinique on Broadway. A reception was held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, featuring a historical timeline that brings together events and achievements throughout the Association's 90 years. The reception also will feature instruction offered by PGA Professionals from the Metropolitan PGA Section and by PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino.

"The PGA of America's birthplace was in New York City, and it is indeed a special occasion to mark that beginning in the same location that sprouted a marvelous 90 years of building and promoting the game of golf," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "We are proud of our membership, the finest golf Professionals in the world, and that those more than 28,000 men and women Professionals have committed themselves to the mission that was set down 90 years ago -- to make golf a better game for everyone."

Special guests at the reception included PGA Life Member Don Malarkey, of South Pittsburg, Tenn., who turned 101 on April 3, 2006, and is the oldest living member of the Association. Malarkey competed in the 1939 and 1941 U.S. Opens, and was in the qualifying medal-play tournament of the 1927 and 1941 PGA Championship, but did not reach the match-play first round. Malarkey and Jack Burke Sr. were the only full-time PGA club Professionals to reach the medal play portion of the 1927 PGA Championship.

Malarkey was joined by PGA Life Member William Powell and daughter Renee Powell, a PGA and LPGA Professional, of Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio.

William Powell, who turns 90 later this year, is the first African-American to build, own and operate a golf course in the United States. Clearview Golf Club is on the roster of the National Register of Historic Places. Renee Powell, the 2003 PGA First Lady of Golf, is the second African-America woman to compete on the LPGA Tour.

The Holiday Inn Martinique on Broadway was the site where The Professional Golfers' Association of America was organized with 78 Professionals as it first members on April 10, 1916.

In addition to the April 10, 2006, celebration in New York City, CBS Sports will air a 90th anniversary special on Sunday, April 16, 2006, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT; and another hour-long special on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006, highlighting the PGA Championship, The PGA's 90th Anniversary and other PGA programs.

The April issue of PGA Magazine, the nation's oldest continuously published golf monthly, features a cover story on the 90th anniversary. Visitors on the Internet also will join in the celebration by visiting www.pga.com/90thanniversary, where they will find historical segments along with updated information about The PGA of America and its programs.

Founded in 1916, The PGA of America is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. Its more than 28,000 men and women Professionals are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.