2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III to speak at 37th Junior PGA Championship

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Davis Love III, the 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain and winner of the 1997 PGA Championship, will be the featured speaker during the opening ceremony for the 37th Junior PGA Championship presented by Under Armour and Heritage Food Service Group, July 30, at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Ind.

"I am really looking forward to attending this year's Junior PGA Championship, where I will be able to share some of my experiences from a game that has taught me so much," said Love. "These junior golfers will be able to showcase their talents in a prestigious Championship and give us a glimpse into the future of our great game."

One of golf's major championships for juniors, the Junior PGA Championship is where the best in the world get their start. Begun in 1976, the Championship has been a popular stop on the national junior circuit for many of today's PGA and LPGA touring professionals.

The Junior PGA Championship continues to be a parade of star performers. Past competitors who have gone on to successful professional careers include: Stewart Cink, Trevor Immelman, Cristie Kerr, Justin Leonard, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Grace Park, In-Bee Park, Dottie Pepper, Alexis Thompson, David Toms and Tiger Woods.

Defending Champions Cody Proveaux of Leesville, S.C., and Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand are scheduled to return to defend their titles in the boys' and girls' division, respectfully.

In addition to playing for a Championship title, players will attempt to earn a spot on the 2012 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup team. The United States team, compiled of six boys and six girls, will face a European squad of junior golfers, Sept. 24-25, at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club.

Both the winner and runner-up in both boys' and girls' division in 2012 earn an automatic spot on the team.

Love, who will guide the 12-member team in the 39th Ryder Cup, Sept. 28-30, at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club, owns a career 9-12-5 match record while competing on three Ryder Cup Teams. In 2010, he served as an assistant captain at Newport, Wales.

He will lead a U.S. Team that last won the Ryder Cup in 2008 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., and has only held possession of the Ryder Cup trophy three times since 1985.

About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.

About Sycamore Hills Golf Club
The Jack Nicklaus-designed Sycamore Hills Golf Club opened in 1989 and is one of the Midwest's preeminent golfing venues. Golf Digest magazine has honored it as the top course in Indiana twice and ranked it more than ten times as one of America's top 100 courses, most recently ranking it No. 69 for 2011-2012. Sycamore Hills has hosted three national championships; the 2009 USGA Women's State Team Championship and the 2010 and 2011 Junior PGA Championship; and has also been selected to host the 2013 USGA Girls Junior Championship. Learn more about Sycamore Hills Golf Club online at sycamorehillsgolfclub.com.