Former PGA of America National Award winner Will Reilly named PGA Junior Golf Development Manager

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Will Reilly, who gained national recognition for his junior golf initiatives spanning nearly 17 years as PGA head professional at Twining Valley Golf Club in Dresher, Pa., has joined The PGA of America's National Headquarters staff in the newly created position of Junior Golf Development Manager. Reilly, 46, will oversee the development and implementation of the PGA Sports Academy and other junior golf initiatives that will position PGA Professionals at the forefront of delivering the next generation of junior golf programming.

Reilly grew up in a family of PGA Professionals that included his father, Hugh of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., a PGA Life Member; brothers Hugh Reilly Jr., a PGA assistant professional at Twining Valley and Michael, a PGA head professional at North Hills Country Club in Glenside, Pa.

In addition to his duties at Twining Valley, Reilly also served as golf coach at the high school and collegiate levels, including the last three seasons guiding his alma mater, Villanova University. Reilly has been a member of the PGA Junior Golf Committee for four years and was recipient of the 2005 PGA Junior Golf Leader Award for his contributions to junior golf. In 2007, Reilly received the PGA President's Plaque Award for contributions in Player Development on a local and national level; and in 2009 was named the Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year. He also received the Philadelphia Special Service Award for coordinating "The Kids on The Hill Program," which focused on inner-city at-risk youngsters.

"Will Reilly brings a wealth of experience and a passion to this new position in building and providing leadership in initiatives the build our next generation of golfers," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "We are fortunate to have a PGA member like Will, who in serving youth has set the bar high for all of us."

Reilly will focus his efforts at the PGA National Headquarters by working with The PGA's Player Development team, and serving as the Association's in-house expert on working with junior golfers. In addition to the PGA Sports Academy, Reilly's focus will be on educating and motivating fellow PGA members to energize their junior programs, with specific initiatives including tiered programming delivered at the grass roots level, golf in schools programs, online gaming, Section programs and playing opportunities.

"I am honored and excited to have been chosen to serve as Junior Golf Development Manager for The PGA of America," says Reilly. "Ever since I was a youngster I have been involved in junior golf, and to be asked to serve as the face of junior golf for The PGA and to work with fellow PGA Professionals and the industry in developing successful junior golf strategies for all levels is an opportunity that I simply could not pass on."