Hundreds turn out for Play Golf America Day

By Bob Denney, PGA.com Contributor

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- It's been five years since PGA Professional Suzy Whaley graced the covers of national magazines, dominated air time on syndicated talk shows and stunned the skeptics for having earned her way into a PGA Tour event.

Whaley, now 42, has anything but slowed in her quest to advance woman in golf and to assist in any growth of the game initiative.

She joined some 70 of her peers Wednesday at The PGA Learning Center, combining a series of free 10-minute lessons to guests at Play Golf America Day while splitting time studying her notes as co-master of ceremonies for this weekend's 11th PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit.

Play Golf America Day, like the Summit, is presented by Callaway Golf and supported by Golf Pride and SkyGolf.

Nearly 700 visitors toured the PGA Learning Center's 35-acre golf park under cool temperatures and also visited the Ryder Cup trophy that was on display at the nearby PGA Historical Center for the first time since 1999.

There was a waiting line to have a lesson with Whaley.

"We are seeing how important Play Golf America is to the future of our game, and in this economic climate, I am glad it is in place," said Whaley. "Today is a lot of fun for me and for all professionals here."

Whaley joined more than 70 PGA Professionals from throughout South Florida as well as Summit guest presenters at Play Golf America Day.

"I believe that Play Golf America has given a platform to easily access programs on the Web," said Whaley. "For the woman player, this can't be a job or another item on the task list. You find that there is an ease of access to an instructor, an ease of access to a facility and it's just a home run."

As a teacher of the game, Whaley has continued to elevate her status after her time in the spotlight in July 2003 when she was the first woman to qualify and participate in a PGA Tour event in 58 years, following the legendary Babe Zaharias, the only other woman to have ever achieved the rare golf feat.

Her niche in golf history is secure --
officially, Whaley became the third women ever to compete on the PGA Tour, preceded by the Babe and Annika Sorenstam, who received an invitation to compete in the Bank of America Colonial in May of 2003.

Since then, Whaley has served as an on course commentator for ESPN, the national spokesperson for American Express Women's Golf Month, and is a two-time Connecticut PGA Teacher of the Year.

Did we mention that she also is a mother of two daughters?

"I like to keep busy and I believe that this [The Summit] will be another great event in my career," said Whaley.

As Whaley went from student to student on the range, she was joined in the day of activities by a true Summit veteran.

Bernard Kennedy, a native of Liverpool, England, has spent the past three decades in Germany. He also has attended every PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit since 1992, and was enjoying his day teaching at Play Golf America Day.

"I think for all the professionals, there is a value in being here in several different ways," said Kennedy, who teaches at Sonnenalp Hotel & Resort, situated about 3,000 feet above sea level near the border dividing Germany and Switzerland and featuring a six-month golf season. "Some will justify if their own teaching is on the right lines; (2) some will find this a new experience; and (3) golf professionals are basically loners and we tend to talk and be at our best when we meet others in events like this.

"This event [Play Golf America Day] is tremendous for so many reasons. I do believe you accomplish a lot when a person leaves you with a good feeling for having learned something about themselves and the game. It is important to adapt to the individual. Education departments must point out to the young professionals that you have to deal with your customers or students with respect. If you can do that, you are way ahead in keeping that student to return to the game."

Jackie Duncan and her friend, Ingrid Rijnders, both of Port St. Lucie, toured the PGA Historical Center. Rijnders, owner of an organic pet product store, was making her first visit and just getting into golf.

"I wish my husband was here today," said Duncan, a Realtor whose spouse is out of state on business. "I've been to the PGA Historical Center before, but never seen the Ryder Cup before. It looks great."

"I've been a tennis player and now I'm just starting into golf," said Rijnders. "I have enjoyed this day and everything about it."

Among the attractions were a series of Callaway Golf demonstration areas on the range. Dan Gibson of Franklin, Ind., one of Callaway's Tour Van Fitting Specialists, said that he has participated in 10 Play Golf America Days while spending 48 weeks on the road this year.

"We're not salesmen, but those who take you through a process for exact measurements," said Gibson. "My job is like a tailor. We try to make golf fun for everybody. We're not trying to make anyone feel like I'm selling a used car here. We are here to help everyone get the most out of their game with the product that is right for them."

And, in the end, it is about making the visitor feel welcome.

"Play Golf America Day is very special and I wish that we could see many more of these in locations all over the country," said Jeff Johnson of Charlotte, N.C., who brought his daughter, Faith, 16, and son, Jordan, 18.

"Kids are the next generation of golfers," said Johnson, who operates a home-based Possibilities Coaching company. "We have to sustain their interest in golf. Kids need to find that through golf that they may build relationships and values and self-worth."

Begun in 2004, Play Golf America is an industry-wide national marketing campaign developed and led by The PGA of America to increase participation among new and existing golfers and to grow the number of people who play the game. For more information about Play Golf America, visit www.PlayGolfAmerica.com.

About The PGA of America

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold; 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 Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, 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. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.