In association with the PGA, Play Golf America is giving away tickets to next week’s 87th PGA Championship. Golfers who pre-qualify at the Play Golf America website and then attend the clinic will be eligible to receive two tickets each to any of three practice rounds at the final major of 2005 to be held Aug. 11-14th at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.
Make sure you show up for the clinic because if you don’t you will forfeit any chance of scoring those hard-to-get tickets. Register too late and you’ll be placed on the waiting list.
Hyatt Hills Golf Complex in Clark, N.J. is the site of this second annual event. Held on August 7th Play Golf America Academy will feature golf clinics by PGA Director of Instruction Rick Martino and 2004 PGA Teacher of the Year Hank Johnson.
“The New Jersey PGA Section is excited to be a part of the Play Golf America Academy and help kick off the 2005 PGA Championship with this excellent golf instruction program,” said New Jersey PGA Executive Director Scott Kmiec. “Our Section members are looking forward to sharing their expertise for what is a wonderful family event.”
Both PGA instructors experts in their field.
Rick Martino has been the PGA of America’s Director of Instruction since 1998 He has been listed among Golf Digest’s 50 Greatest Teachers and GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Teachers. “The Play Golf America Academy is a unique learning opportunity for the entire family to get expert assistance with their game, and to share in the PGA Championship experience,” said Martino. “The Academy brings together outstanding PGA Teaching Professionals who will expand your golf knowledge, aid your game and to enhance your ability as a spectator to view the game.”
Hank Johnson is an innovative teaching professional who instructs both PGA and LPGA Tour professionals including Tom Kite, Tom Purtzer and Marisa Baena. For over 20 years Johnson has been a frequent contributing author to Golf Digest and has been listed since 2002 as one of Golf Digest’s Top 50 teachers.
The team of Martino and Johnson are expected to give spectators quite a hands-on experience. At 4:15 pm there will be an introduction to golf called “Everything About Golf Except the Swing”. A short game seminar will follow and a lesson on developing your golf swing will be the final lesson of the day.
Geared towards family fun, there will be two-hole scrambles beginning at 6 pm which is just enough golf for newbies and their more experienced golf partners to have fun together without killing each other. Contests and prizes are also on the agenda.
While you’re at the Hyatt Hills Golf Complex practice driving at their full-length range, chip, putt, improve your sand shots at their practice bunker and even play mini-golf. There’s also a pro-shop and dining on premises so you can make an evening out of your family adventure.
Play Golf America was started at the beginning of 2004 in response to the growing number of golfers interested in picking up the sport. Their goal is to interest both the occasional golfer and beginner with interactive activities to make the sport more fun and less threatening to the beginner golfer.