PGA instructors provide juniors with valuable lessons

Youngsters from the Central Oregon Junior Golf Association got a rare treat Wednesday, when they received advice on golf and life from a special group of seven PGA Professionals, including four who own national championships.

By Bob Denney, PGA of America Staff

SUNRIVER, Ore. -- Brian Whitcomb, the 35th President of The PGA of America, and a former junior golfer from Central Oregon, was beaming like a proud papa as he watched a group of juniors step to the practice tee Wednesday at the Meadows Golf Course at Sunriver Resort.

Golfers from the Central Oregon Junior Golf Association were greeted by seven PGA Professionals, including four who own national championships. Teacher-student ratio was at a premium in the PGA Community Relations Youth Clinic held in conjunction with the 40th PGA Professional National Championship.

"When I was a young golfer, and began playing golf right here at the Meadows Course, I could not even imagine having this opportunity when I was growing up," said Whitcomb, a native of Prineville, Ore., who attended Arizona State University and competed on the Sun Devils' golf team. "For these young people, it is an incredible experience to be able to learn from, look up to and be instructed by some of the foremost instructors that golf has to offer."

The clinic instructor list featured defending PGA Professional National Champion Ron Philo Jr. of Amelia Island, Fla., two-time National Champion Tim Thelen (2000, '03) of College Station, Texas; 2002 National Champion Barry Evans of Charleston, W.Va.; and Jeff Coston of Blaine, Wash., the defending Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Champion.

They were joined by Brett Eaton, PGA Director of Golf at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club; Ryan Benzel, an assistant PGA Professional at Seattle (Wash.) Golf Club and PGA Assistant Professional Chris Griffin of Tacoma (Wash.) Country Club.

Together, they provided lessons the young golfers with tips ranging from proper golf posture, trajectory for better approaches and driving accuracy.

Coston, 51, who was the low PGA Professional at the 68th Senior PGA Championship in May at Kiawah Island, S.C., guided the juniors on steps to developing a good golf swing.

"This region is my home and I love helping young people develop their game," said Coston, who captured his first Section event, the 1995 Oregon Open, at the Meadows Course. "The most valuable lesson I can teach these kids is that golf not only builds character but it reveals character.

"Golf is a great avenue to many different areas of life and if these young people can take that with them after today, then I have succeeded in what I am trying to accomplish."

The PGA Community Relations Program, which is conducted at the site of PGA of America member and spectator championships, features clinics or events that bring together PGA Professionals and youth organizations or associations at the host community or region.

Begun in 1968, The PGA Professional National Championship is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra; Club Car; and Buick. The PGA Tour is a Supporting Sponsor of PGA Professional Tournaments and The Golf Channel is an exclusive media partner.

The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.