Ryder Cup Junior Academy again to host juniors at PGA Village

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The Ryder Cup Junior Academy will mark its return to PGA Village this summer, inspired by past United States Ryder Cup Team Captains to provide aspiring players - many who may not have the means to attend - an opportunity to experience an elite player development academy.

The academy will renew July 1-8, at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., where the inaugural event in 2011 attracted 70 participants. The initiative celebrates the passion of the Ryder Cup, in intended to inspire participants to achieve greatness and to improve their lives through the game of golf. The academy focuses on playing and competing in both stroke- and match-play formats.

"We are looking forward to another memorable year to help to develop the next generation of players who will lead our great game," said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. "The Ryder Cup Junior Academy was an incredible experience in 2011, where junior golfers were able to learn from some of golf's greatest names including Billy Casper, Lanny Wadkins and Dow Finsterwald, as well as top PGA Professionals across the country."

PGA Tour professional Dustin Johnson, a member of the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup Team, participated with 1995 U.S. Captain Wadkins in a clinic for Academy participants last July.

"I really respect all of the juniors who participated in the Ryder Cup Junior Academy," said Johnson. "Any advice that Lanny and I can give to help these exceptional kids is really special to us and these are the types of events that I really enjoy doing. We can make a huge impact and that is important."

The 2012 session will also feature a selection of past U.S. Ryder Cup Captains and team members.

As part of the 2010 United States Ryder Cup Team's charitable commitment, which has impacted U.S-based charitable organizations and students at colleges and universities nationwide, the team designated $50,000 each to create and support the Ryder Cup Junior Academy. Each of the 41 PGA Sections nationwide will have the opportunity to nominate one boy and one girl each. Additional applicants will be selected from an at-large process working through allied associations including The First Tee, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Lorena Ochoa Golf Foundation, the Notah Begay III Foundation and the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET).

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.