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Minnesota Section PGA
Tickets on Sale for PGA Championship Breakfast to Benefit Special Olympics
Tickets are now available for a Special Olympics benefit breakfast during the PGA Championship featuring Minnesota native and PGA Tour player Cameron Beckman. Hosted by the Minnesota Section PGA and the PGA Championship, the breakfast fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, August 11 and will benefit Special Olympics Minnesota and The Minnesota Section PGA Foundation. The event runs from 8 – 9:30 a.m. and will be held at the PGA Chalet at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Minnesota Section PGA & Minnesota Golf Association Announce 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees
The Minnesota Section PGA and the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) have selected six inductees for the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame in 2009. They are:
Don Berry, Nancy (Harris) Blanchard, John Cook, Bill Israelson, Mike Schultz and Dick Tollette.
The group will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Minnesota Section PGA and MGA events throughout the remainder of the year.
Special Olympics Athletes and PGA Pros Team Up For State Open Pro-Am, July 23
Alec Kelsey is a great athlete – but he’s not your typical high school senior. After spending 18 days in a coma at age four, doctors didn’t know if he would ever wake up, let alone play sports. But Alec has defied odds his entire life — recovering from a devastating illness, coping with cognitive delays due to bilateral brain damage, dealing with life-threatening seizures on a daily basis – and is now involved in athletics like most teenage boys. An avid golfer, Alec is one of 27 Special Olympics athletes participating in the Minnesota State Open Pro-Am on July 23, kicking off the State Open weekend.
Seven Minnesota PGA Professionals Head to PGA Professional National Championship
Seven Minnesota professional golfers are headed to New Mexico at the end of the month for the PGA Professional National Championship, June 28 – July 1, in hopes of qualifying for the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Reflections on Play Golf Minnesota Week 2009
After months of meticulous planning, Play Golf Minnesota Week 2009 officially kicked off on Monday, April 27 at Hazeltine National Golf Course. Of course, even after said fastidious planning, we still had to be ready to deal with the one thing we have no control over: the weather. Let’s be realistic: it’s April in Minnesota. No matter how prepared we are, if six inches of snow accumulate over the weekend — hardly ideal golf weather — there’s not much we can do about it. Thankfully, the weather proved cooperative; other than a bit of halfhearted drizzle on Monday morning, the week was mostly sunny and fairly warm, perfect for hitting the links.
Just Two Days Left in Play Golf Minnesota Week
It’s been an interesting week of weather for this 3rd Annual Play Golf Minnesota Week. Today is Get Fit for Golf Day and participating courses will have either club fitting (get it, get “fit?”) or they’ll have some things to help you get your body in shape for the golf season. Heaven knows after a long winter it feels good to get out and exercise a bit, but you don’t want to pull any muscles!
Play Golf Minnesota Week — Plenty of Reason to Hit the Links
The third annual Play Golf Minnesota Week kicked off the golf season with a bang this past week. Check out the week’s events in the news:
- Play Golf Minnesota Week overview on WCCO-TV, Minneapolis Golf Examiner
- Coverage of the opening tee off on KARE-11, FOX-9 and WCCO-TV
- Golf fitness tips on WCCO, getting kids on the course on FOX-9
- Play Golf Minnesota Week Wanamaker Trophy Tour on KEYC, Rochester Post-Bulletin, Duluth News-Tribune.
- Specials at local courses in the South Washington County Bulletin, Brainerd Daily Dispatch and Detroit Lakes Tribune.
Photos by W.P. Ryan/Courtesy of the MGA.
Play Golf Minnesota Week Officially Underway
Monday was the official opening to the Minnesota golf season, marked by an opening tee off at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Minnesota Section PGA professionals, Minnesota Golf Association members and members and coaches of the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s golf teams were on hand to ceremoniously kick off the golf season.
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- Opening Tee Off
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- University of Minnesota Golf Teams with the Wanamaker Trophy
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- Brad James, director of Golf at the University of Minnesota with M.A. Rosko of FOX-9 News
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- Rob Tennant, president of the Minnesota Golf Association with Nate Anderson of KARE-11 News
Photos by W.P. Ryan/Courtesy of MGA
Third Annual Play Golf Minnesota Week Tees Off April 27
Although the ground is still blanketed in snow, it’s not too early to start thinking green – as in the putting green. With more than 500 courses and more players per capita than any other state, Minnesota is preparing to officially kick off the golf season with Play Golf Minnesota Week, April 27-May 3.
The Minnesota Section Professional Golf Association (PGA) and the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) are pairing up to host the third annual Play Golf Minnesota Week, filled with events for golfers of every age and skill level.
“Play Golf Minnesota Week is a great opportunity to dust off those clubs and get out on the links after a long winter,” said Jeff Drimel, president of the Minnesota Section PGA.
“This week has something for everyone – whether young or old, novice or expert,” said Tom Ryan, executive director and chief operating officer of the MGA. “New players can take advantage of events like Free Lesson Day, and families can spend time together on the course during Family Day.”
Each day during the week will have a different theme, with participating courses featuring specials and clinics. Check with individual clubs or visit www.playgolfminnesota.com for course participation and additional information.
Monday, April 27 Minnesota College and University Day – Wear your Minnesota college colors and save with special promotions.
Tuesday, April 28 Senior Day – Golfers age 50 and over are eligible for special events and clinics.
Wednesday, April 29 Women’s Day – Participating courses will feature clinics for women with instruction by golf professionals.
Thursday, April 30 Free Lesson Day – Get a free session with a PGA professional to kick off “Free Lesson Month” in May.
Friday, May 1 Get Fit for Golf Day – Fitness experts will provide tips to becoming a stronger golfer. Professional club fittings will be available at participating courses.
Saturday, May 2 Play Golf Minnesota Day – Clinics, lessons and beginner programs will be available. The day also will feature skill challenges and contests and new equipment demonstrations.
Sunday, May 3 Family Day – The whole family is welcome to participate in skill challenges and mini golf on putting greens.
2009 Minnesota Golf Preview
There are more than 730,000 golfers in Minnesota, which means there are plenty of great tournaments and events. Here’s a preview of the season’s premier golf events, including the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in August:
Play Golf Minnesota Week – April 27 - May 3 – The official golf season opener features a week of events for players of all ages and skill levels including free lessons, clinics and tips from experts.
Minnesota Golf Champions – May 8-10 – This tournament features past champions facing off against one another for the title at Minneapolis Golf Club.
Minnesota Senior Open – May 26-27 – Golfers over 50 will compete at The Links at Northfork in Ramsey.
PGA Professional National Championship – June 28-July 1 – Minnesota Section PGA members Jeff Sorenson, Craig Brischke, Jay Norman, Ty Armstrong, Dave Tentis, Todd Kolb and Brad Schmierer have qualified to play at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M., for a spot in the PGA Championship in August at Hazeltine National.
3M Championship – July 2-6 – The best golfers on the Champions Tour compete at Victory Links Golf Course in Blaine.
Minnesota State Open – July 24-26 – Held at Hastings Country Club, the largest state tournament for professionals and amateurs also features a partnership with Special Olympics of Minnesota for the State Pro-Am.
Minnesota Women’s State Open – Aug. 4-5 – The top female golfers in the state face off at Hillcrest Golf Club in St. Paul.
PGA Championship – Aug. 8-13 – The best golfers in the world compete in one of the major golf championships at Hazeltine National Golf Course in Chaska.
MN PGA Professional Championship – Aug. 31 – Sept. 1 – Minnesota PGA Professionals will play at The Pines in Nisswa to move toward earning a spot in the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis.
