Pendergrass of GAA-Carolinas Awarded Horton Smith Trophy
Dec 9, 2008
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Phil Pendergrass of Golf Academy of America (GAA), has been selected by the Carolinas Section of The PGA of America as the recipient of the 2008 Horton Smith Trophy. Pendergrass was honored as the top golf educator in the two Carolinas for 2008.Serving as the president of The PGA of America from 1952-54 and representing the United States on seven Ryder Cup teams, Horton Smith devoted much of his time to improving educational programs.
Pendergrass is a professor at GAA: The Carolinas in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and has served five years as an instructor in the Professional Golf Management program at Coastal Carolina University. While there, he created and conducted a survey to assess PGM students' setbacks in acquiring their Class A status, then developed methods for employers and apprentices to aid students in achieving their career goals.
"I was excited and just felt honored having been in the Section so long and working toward education of golf professionals -- it just makes you feel good that someone notices what you've been doing. It has always been my goal to give the kids a head start and get them prepared for their future careers as PGA professionals," says Pendergrass about the recognition he has received.
The Carolinas PGA strives to improve the quality of the game for the golfers using their member facilities. This section alone of the PGA conducts more than 200 tournaments each year. To learn more, please visit http://carolinas.pga.com.
Golf Academy of America's Myrtle Beach campus boasts a customized facility to foster an environment of instruction, learning and success. For more information on GAA and other locations, please visit www.golfacademy.edu.