BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University students will benefit from Hall of Famer Kenny Perry’s 2008 Ryder Cup experience.
On Saturday morning, Perry and Kentucky PGA Section representative Mark Hill presented a $90,000 check to WKU President Gary Ransdell and Dr. William Hey, head of the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport. The donation, part of the 2008 Ryder Cup Outreach Program, will be used to launch a Play Golf America University program at WKU.
“How many opportunities do you have to give back to what you love?” Perry said during the presentation at his Country Creek Golf Course in Franklin.
This fall, 40 WKU students will participate in the program. Two classes of 10 students each will be offered each bi-term and will be taught by Jeff McGill, golf pro at Bowling Green Country Club, Dr. Hey said.
“Once we put these classes on the schedule they were filled up within weeks,” he said. “The feedback so far has been tremendous. The sky’s the limit.”
Perry said he was honored to use his Ryder Cup participation to benefit his alma mater. Perry, who played golf at WKU from 1979-82, was inducted into the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2007, WKU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.
“First of all, what Kenny Perry has meant to the PGA and this nation in terms of the Ryder Cup and on the Tour is a source of great pride for our university,” President Gary Ransdell said. “He’s a terrific alumnus and helps build the WKU brand.”
Perry said he’d like to make the next Ryder Cup team and have another opportunity to make a donation to the Play Golf America University program.
“It’s a neat class for them to get in there and learn about what I do and what a PGA pro does,” Perry said.
While the class may not develop future PGA Tour golfers, it may develop the PGA pros who manage golf courses and provide golf instruction, Perry said. “To me it’s a passion. It’s what I love. It’s neat to do something you love,” he said.
The program will offer WKU students an opportunity to broaden their horizons, Perry said. “I think everyone will enjoy being a part of it. It’s exciting to know it’s bringing some interest,” he said.
About Play Golf America
Play Golf America University, formerly GOLF: For Business & Life, is a PGA of America college and university golf program, designed to teach and engage students in the game of golf through PGA Professional instruction and other golf programs.
In 2008, the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup Team and Captain Paul Azinger made a $2.6 million donation in support of charities and veteran’s families, including a $1.17 million donation to Play Golf America University programs. The U.S. team captured the 37th Ryder Cup Championship Sept. 19-21 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.
Since its conception, The PGA of America has distributed more than $6.1 million to 65 participating colleges and universities throughout the United States on behalf of members of the U.S. Ryder Cup Teams as a means to support this initiative. To date, PGA Professionals have provided instruction to more than 24,000 college students through this program.
For more about the program, visit www.PlayGolfAmerica.com or call Tammy Boclair at (615) 791-1535, ext. 26.
- WKU -
