Northern Texas PGA Section and Its Fairway to Success Program to be Spotlighted April 23 on Golf Channel
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. –
The Northern Texas PGA Section and its Fairway to Success program, directed by Northern Texas PGA Foundation coordinator Katie Manor, will be spotlighted on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive program on Saturday, April 23, in celebration of the PGA of America’s Centennial.
The Fairway to Success program was established in 2007 as a collaboration among the Northern Texas PGA Section, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and Deloitte. Fairway to Success introduces golf to students at three Dallas Independent School District (DISD) high schools, including W.W. Samuell, Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln. These schools were selected based on level of need and lack of outside resources. The program annually awards $20,000 scholarships to deserving students based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need.
Through the program, golf instruction is offered during physical education classes, and Northern Texas PGA Professionals offer after-school programming in the spring and fall for those interested in developing their golf skills. Featured in the spotlight is Tony Martinez, PGA Director of Golf at Keeton Park Golf Course, who is one of many PGA Professionals serving as an instructor – and in many cases, also a mentor – to students and imparting values of discipline, honor and integrity that are central to the game of golf. To date, $740,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 37 students, and through the contributions of North Texas Deloitte partners and staff, the scholarship endowment fund has surpassed more than $1.4 million.
In celebration of its Centennial, the PGA of America has partnered with Golf Channel to shine a spotlight on all 41 PGA Sections and their featured programs and initiatives led by PGA Professionals nationwide. The PGA Section Spotlights are scheduled to air on the Golf Channel from Jan. 27–May 4, spanning 100 days in honor of the Centennial.
“In celebrating our Centennial, we want to honor our 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals in all PGA Sections across the country,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “Each day, they’re growing the game and using golf to better lives in their communities, as evidenced by efforts like those of the Northern Texas PGA Section. We’re very proud of these PGA Professionals and look forward to highlighting their efforts this year.”
The spotlights will run in conjunction with the #ThxPGAPro Centennial celebration social media campaign, where golfers everywhere can post videos, photos and messages in support of their favorite PGA Professionals on ThxPGAPro.com or through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Section Spotlights also will be featured prominently on ThxPGAPro.com.
About the PGA of America
Celebrating its Centennial, the PGA of America represents the very best in golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.org, follow @PGAofAmerica on Twitter, and find us on Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Hayley Wilson, Alday Communications, Inc., hayley@aldaycommunications.com, 615-791-1535 x28
Jamie Carbone, PGA of America, jcarbone@pgahq.com, 561-624-8446
